BIALL - Supporting Legal Information Professionals in the UK and Ireland.
April, 2025
BIALL - British and Irish Association of Legal Librarians
Purpose
BIALL exists to support and represent legal information and knowledge professionals, highlighting the essential role they play in the legal sector. Whether working in a law firm library, a university, or a public institution, BIALL members contribute significantly to legal research, knowledge management, and the efficient operation of legal services.
As a voluntary organisation, BIALL is run by its members, for its members. It operates through a dedicated Council and specialist committees, guided by a constitution, regulations, and standing orders. Through these structures, BIALL ensures that its initiatives and services meet the evolving needs of legal information professionals.
Promoting the Profession
BIALL actively advocates for the value of law libraries and legal information professionals. Initiatives include:
- Raising awareness of the professional importance within the legal sector.
- Recognising excellence through a prestigious annual awards programme.
- Collaborating with international sister organisations to share expertise and best practices.
- Providing training and advice to institutions and professionals in other jurisdictions.
Professional Development
BIALL is committed to fostering the growth and expertise of legal information professionals at all stages of their careers via:
- Training Courses - online and/or in-person sessions covering key skills and industry developments.
- Annual Conference – an annual event bringing together experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to discuss emerging trends and best practices.
- Bursaries - financial support to help members attend BIALL courses and conferences, and those of related organisations.
- Publications - a bimonthly newsletter and the quarterly Legal Information Management, the Association’s professional journal.
Benchmarking and Industry Insights
BIALL helps members assess their work and employment conditions through regular surveys of law firms, academic libraries, and salaries across the profession. These insights support salary negotiations and help organisations adopt best practices in legal information management.
Networking and Community
BIALL provides opportunities for members to connect, exchange ideas, and seek advice from peers. Whether you are the sole information professional in your organisation or part of a larger team, BIALL offers:
- The Annual Conference, featuring expert-led discussions and workshops.
- Networking events throughout the year.
- An email discussion list, enabling members to seek guidance and share expertise.
- Special Interest Groups, bringing together professionals with shared interests.
Join BIALL.
BIALL is dedicated to supporting and advancing the work of legal information professionals. Whether you are looking to develop your skills, benchmark industry standards, expand your professional network, or advocate for the profession, BIALL offers the resources and community to help you thrive.
To learn more about BIALL and how to become a member, visit the website - https://biall.org.uk/
Volunteer with BIALL
As mentioned above, BIALL is a voluntary organisation, run for the benefit of its members with volunteers taking up various roles within the Association. Volunteering with BIALL is a very rewarding activity providing legal information professionals with excellent developmental opportunities outside of the ‘day job’, including the chance to acquire and share new skills and knowledge, and to meet people across the membership.
BIALL carries out a broad range of activities which means volunteers could contribute to the administrative running of the Association by managing email lists, updating web pages or ensuring data compliance. Volunteers might also become members of a committee, Working Group or Special Interest Group or be elected to Council or Officer roles. Publicity and promotion are important areas where volunteers input, and contributions are invaluable. This could mean writing newsletter or journal articles or delivering training events.
Interested?! We hope so. For further information, contact the BIALL Immediate Past President pastpresident@biall.org.uk who coordinates volunteering for the Association and will be delighted to help find a role for you.
BIALL Annual Conference 2025
A key highlight of the BIALL calendar is the Annual Conference. In 2025, the conference will take place from 11 - 13 June in Birmingham and is entitled Playing a Blinder: Moving Forward in the City of a Thousand Trades.
The programme will feature expert-led discussions on: AI & Innovation, horizon scanning, finding company and legal information in other jurisdictions and knowledge management. The conference provides an invaluable opportunity to stay informed, connect with peers, and enhance professional expertise.
Further information about the conference and how to register are available on the conference website - BIALL 2025
About the Author
The British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL) is the leading professional body for information and knowledge professionals working with legal information in the UK and Ireland. Since its founding in 1969, BIALL has grown into a vibrant community of 500 members, representing a diverse range of organisations including law firms, barristers chambers, academic institutions, professional associations, government departments, and legal publishers.
Article references available on request.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prenax.
