‘Tech Law for Everyone‘
The Society for Computers and Law is the leading educational charity for the tech law community, with a UK-wide vision and global significance.
Our mission is to inform and educate legal and technology professionals, academics, students and the wider audience on the impact of IT on law and legal practice. SCL works to promote ideals of best practice, thought leadership, and the fostering of a global tech law community.
Brief History:
The Society was established in 1973 to promote the use and understanding of information technology (IT) in the context of the law. For the first twenty years of its existence it focused more on the technical aspects of IT in use to support legal practices. Since then its focus has shifted more to the practice of IT law as a specialist subject as this has evolved to encompass new issues like the world wide web and digital media.
Early pioneers in the UK included Tom Woodcock and Paul Leach of the Law Society and Alan Woods of Bird and Bird who became the first Chairman, and first paid up member of the Society. It was Alan Woods who saw the need for a body which would help to introduce the legal profession to the new world of information technology.
The Society was established as a registered charity on 11 September 1973 under the inspiring leadership of its first President, Lord Scarman.
Today SCL strives to…
- educate and inspire the tech law community through engaging content and world-class events,
- shape the tech law landscape with thought-leadership, creativity and inclusive collaboration; and
- mentor the next generation of tech law professionals
Keep up to date with the latest news and analysis
As a member, you will receive six issues a year of our magazine, Computers & Law. The magazine carries practical articles written by leading lights in IT law. All that content is also available on this website, plus the latest news, blogs, comment and articles that are only available online.
Share information with your peers in the IT law sector
Our regular seminars, conferences and group meetings allow you to discuss issues with others working in the sector, helping you to stay informed of the problems and issues on the ground.
One of our primary objectives is to educate the profession on the latest developments in IT and IT law. As a member you would qualify for discounted rates on our unrivalled, expert seminars and conferences and have access to regular training podcasts included as part of your membership fee.
Students can greatly expand their knowledge of IT law
In accordance with our educational objectives, we allow students access to all our website material free of charge and we encourage student attendance at our events by offering reductions on the normal fee for attendance. The range of articles made available and the up-to-the-minute training from seminars and other events can give students unrivalled insights, helping them in their academic work and in their future careers. Students with an ac.uk email address can sign up for free membership of SCL here
Career development through our accreditation scheme
Current members are eligible to apply for our accreditation scheme. Accreditation is aimed at practitioners seeking to develop their practice in IT law. The standards required to qualify for the scheme ensure that they will be a respected and useful part of your career development.