UCL Law Society

The University College London Law Society, commonly referred to as the UCL Law Society, is a student society whose membership is drawn exclusively from the UCL Faculty of Laws.

Status and membership

The UCL Law Society is an unincorporated association, holding its property on trust in favour of its objectives and members. Since its foundation, it has been independent of the UCL Union. It has remained entirely separate from the UCL Union due to the onerous conditions and limitations the Union places on societies. Only matriculated members of the UCL Faculty of Laws are eligible to become life members of the Society.

Governance

The Society is led by its President and is fully accountable to its members and governed by its constitution. The constitution covers a range of issues including: positions on the society; rules of elections; inner-committee decision making rules; criteria of members etc.

Elections

Committee elections are held before the end of the second term each academic year. Candidates sign up interest, present themselves at 'hustings' and campaign on the three allocated voting days. All current undergraduate Law students as well as Faculty members are allowed to vote. The First Year Representative is elected before Reading Week in the first term and is elected exclusively by first year students and members of the Committee with Faculty members also allowed to vote.

Careers

The Society operates a careers programme throughout the academic year. The long-established programme operates weekly with specialist presentations by Magic Circle firms Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Slaughter and May. A wide range of other law firms run events as well as professional service firms which in recent years have included KPMG, Macquarie and McKinsey & Company. Other firms choose to host students at their offices in the City and Canary Wharf. The Solicitors program is the most extensive and is operated in conjunction with the UCL Careers Serices.

The period between September and February is dedicated to opportunities for potential solicitors and careers outside of law. From February onwards the careers program is dedicated to potential barristers.

The bar programme has chambers and barristers offering presentations and again joining students for drinks afterwards. There are various valuable visits to chambers and many networking opportunities.

Social Events

The Society runs a packed social calendar which has attracted some controversy in recent years. The calendar starts in late September with a two week 'Freshers Fortnight' which varies from year to year but includes a black-tie boat cruise on the River Thames, a one-day trip to France, a Tottenham Court Road pub crawl and a host of other events to welcome new students into the Faculty. In first term the Society runs a Halloween Ball, a Circle Line pub crawl and a Christmas Ball. In second term the Society runs a debating weekend in Wales, a social tour to Amsterdam and the flagship event of the year, the Easter Ball which is held a top 5* London hotel. In the past the Dorchester and Mandarin Oriental have hosted this event which costs in excess of £30,000 to run.

All of the Society's activities are sponsored by law firms, which also gives students the opportunity to network and learn about potential careers.

Sport

The Society has football, rugby and netball teams. The teams offer students an informal way to play sport often against high profile City firms and is not competitive like the UCL Union teams. Each year, in late January or early February the UCL Law Society and King's College London Law Society compete in a Varsity sports tournament at Berrylands in Kingston-upon-Thames. The current incarnation is known as the Taylor Wessing Cup.

Past Presidents

• Simon Tysoe (2011–2012)
• Jack Davies (2010–2011)
• Hauwa Shehu (2009–2010)
• Robert Davidson (2008–2009)
• Gerrard Tin (2008)