Abstract
This chapter looks at lawyers in a broad social context. Lawyers hold a position of privilege within society by virtue of their knowledge about the law. It explores why lawyers have this special status and the role that they play in the broader society. This is coming under challenge as a range of other individuals and groups seek to take on what might be traditionally seen as legal work. There is also a tension between the wish to maintain the integrity of the legal profession, while increasing access to it. The chapter shows that the legal profession is under challenge from a number of directions.
