Two local solicitors' associations have formally affiliated with the Law Society of Northern Ireland under a new pilot programme, becoming the first to join the initiative.

Limavady Solicitors' Association and Ballymoney and Coleraine Solicitors' Association are the inaugural participants in the one-year scheme, which is designed to strengthen networks among solicitors practising in communities across Northern Ireland.

Each affiliated association will receive a £1,000 grant from the Law Society. The funding is intended to support their operations and help them expand their local impact.

As part of the affiliation, the two associations will contribute to shaping how the pilot evolves. The Law Society said their feedback will be instrumental in ensuring the scheme delivers practical value to members.

The pilot forms part of a wider effort to sustain an active and connected network of local legal groups, which the Law Society describes as vital to the delivery of legal services within communities.

The Law Society of Northern Ireland is the professional body for solicitors in the jurisdiction. It sets standards, provides oversight, and aims to protect the public through its regulatory role.

Other solicitors' associations interested in joining the affiliation scheme can find details on the Law Society's website.