In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. These were London Division 1, Midland Division 1, North Division 1 and South West Division 1. In 1987 the geographical area for teams in the south-east of England was known as the
London and South East Division and covered the counties of
Essex,
Hampshire,
Kent,
Middlesex,
Norfolk,
Suffolk,
Surrey and
Sussex. The league was also known as London League 1 and London 1. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South. After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with London Division One covering the same area as before. This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three London & South East. The league name changed once more for the 2017–18, when it was renamed to London & South East Premier.
London Division One (1987–93) The original London Division One was a tier five league with promotion up to
Area League 2 South and relegation down to either
London 2 North or
London 2 South.
London Division One The top six teams from London Division One and the top six from
South West Division One were combined to create
National 5 South. London Division 1 was now the name of a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South.
London Division One For the end of the 1995–96 season
National 5 South was discontinued and London Division One returned to being a tier five league. Promotion was to
National 4 South (renamed to National 3 South in 2000–01), while relegation continued to
London 2 North and
London 2 South.
National League 3 London & SE The division was renamed National League 3 London & SE following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It continued as a tier 5 league with promotion to
National League 2 South (formerly National 3 South) and relegation to either
London 1 North or
London 1 South (formerly London 2 North and London 2 South).
London & South East Premier The division was renamed London & South East Premier in order to make it more obvious that it was a regional league and the pinnacle of the London & South East region. It continued to be a tier 5 league with promotion to
National League 2 South and relegation to
London 1 North or
London 1 South.
Regional 1 South East Following a reorganisation of the league structure by the RFU, this league is now one of six at tier 5. Promotion is to
National League 2 East and relegation to either
Regional 2 Anglia,
Regional 2 South East or
Regional 2 Thames depending on location. ==Promotion play-offs==