Cardiff University Students’ Union Law Society Constitution

The Law Society will be affiliated to the Guild of Societies within Cardiff University Students’ Union and, as such, shall agree to the following…

[1]The Law Society shall adhere to all rules of the University, the Students’ Union Constitution and the Students’ Union Social Policy and Activities Laws, which can be found on cardiffstudents.com.

[2]Representatives from the Law Society shall attend Societies Council, Societies Forums, the Cardiff University Students’ Union Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any other meetings called by the Students’ Union, as laid out by the Tier Structure.

[3]The Law Society shall maintain an active student membership of no less than 20 student members.

[4]The Law Society shall elect a new committee at the end of each academic year, normally via the online elections system.

[5]The Law Society shall maintain a core committee of three members – a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

[6]The Law Society shall hold an Annual General Meeting at the end of each academic year.

[7]The Law Society’s finances shall be kept in the assigned bank account in the Finance Office of the Students’ Union and managed by the Treasurer of the Law Society.

[8]The Law Society will seek advice and permission from the Students’ Union before entering into any contract or other legally binding arrangement.

Cardiff University Students’ Union Law Society Constitution

To interpret this constitution it must be considered in total and in relation to the constitution of Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[1]TITLE

The Society shall be known as the Cardiff University Students’ Union Law Society.

[2]AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives shall be:

[2.1] To provide relevant information

[2.2] To provide speaker engagements

[2.3] To provide social events

[2.4] To provide mooting opportunities

[2.5] To provide sporting opportunities

[3]AFFILIATION

[3.1] The Law Society will be affiliated to the Guild of Societies within Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[4]STUDENTS’ UNION

[4.1]The Law Society shall form part of Cardiff University Students’ Union, and as such, will adhere to all the rules of the University, the Students’ Union Constitution, the Students’ Union Social Policy and Activities Laws, and rules laid down herein.

[4.2]Representatives from the Law Society shall attend the following meetings:

1. Societies Council
2. Societies Forums
3. Cardiff University Students’ Union Annual General Meeting (AGM)
4. Any other meeting called within the Students’ Union constitution that requires the attendance of Society representatives, such as a General Meeting

The number of representatives required shall be outlined in the Guild of Societies Tier Structure.

[4.3]The Guild of Societies reserves the right to veto any activities of the Law Society should they feel it contravenes any Students’ Union policy, or places an undue risk on the individuals involved.

[5]MEMBERSHIP

[5.1]Membership may consist of any ordinary member of the Students’ Union wishing to participate in and further the aims and objectives of the Law Society.

[5.2]At the discretion of the Law Society committee, members of staff, alumni and associate members of the Students’ Union may join the Society. 

[5.3]The Law Society shall maintain an active membership of no less than 20 ordinary members of the Students’ Union.

[5.4]The membership fee shall be determined by the Committee and approved by the Societies Team annually.

[5.5]All participants in society activity must be registered members of the Law Society and the Guild of Societies, or registered for specific events via Give it a Go or another Union Department. Activities which require registration are outlined in the Activities Laws.

[5.6]Members’ details will be held by the Students’ Union in line with the Data Protection Act and utilised in line with guidance in the Activities Laws.

[5.7]Student members are entitled to:

Join and participate in any activity organised by the Law Society, subject to funding, skill, experience and availability.

Attend, address and vote at any general meeting of the Law Society. 

Attend any committee meeting of the Law Society and, at the discretion of the committee, be granted speaking rights.

Hold a position on the committee of the Law Society.
Vote to elect any committee members of the Law Society.

[5.8]Non-student members are entitled to:

Join and participate in any activity organised by the Law Society, subject to funding, skill, experience and availability.

Attend and address any general meeting of the Law Society.

Attend any committee meeting of the Law Society and, at the discretion of the committee, be granted speaking rights.

[5.9]The Law Society will operate on a basis of inclusion, therefore, no member will be discriminated against in line with the Equal Opportunities Policy.

[6]THE COMMITTEE

[6.1]The committee is responsible for the day to day running of the Law Society in accordance with the aims and objectives in [2].

[6.2]The committee shall collectively, along with their own job roles, ensure that the Law Society abides by the Cardiff University Students’ Union’s policies and procedures.

[6.3]All committee members shall be elected democratically. Elections shall normally be carried out online at cardiffstudents.com.

[6.4]Committee nominations must be open to every student Society member and all student Society members must have the opportunity to vote in the committee election. Non-student members will not be able to run or vote in committee elections.

[6.5]Committee positions must be resided by members who are current students at Cardiff University.

[6.6]The Law Society committee shall have a minimum of three roles, a President, Secretaryand Treasurer, at any one time.

[6.7]The duties of each of the Committee members shall be as follows:

President: Acting as the principal officer, spokesperson for the society and key contact with Cardiff University Students’ Union, the President leads and co-ordinates the Society, committee and members.  They shall be responsible for the planning, organising and chairing of committee meetings and for protecting the interests of the Society in accordance with its aims and objectives.

Secretary: The Secretary’s prime function is to administrate the running of the Society, keep accurate records and communicate with the committee and society members. To create and distribute the weekly newsletter.

Treasurer: The Treasurer has responsibility for the financial affairs of the Law Society, ensuring that Cardiff University Students’ Union Financial Guidelines are adhered to. They shall present the Society’s finances at a General Meeting of the Law Society.

[6.8] Additional committee members shall include:

Vice President: The Vice President shall have overall responsibility for running the Annual Trip, the production and sale of Law Society clothing items, organising fundraising/charity events throughout the academic year, and completing the Society’s nominations for various awards submissions, including but not limited to the LawCareers.Net Student Law Society Awards and Students’ Union Societies Awards. The Vice President may be required to chair meetings in the President’s absence at the President’s request. The Vice President shall actively support the President.

First Year Representative – Duty to represent the views of first year undergraduate students on Law Society matters. Ensure good communication between the Law Society and first year students. Assist the Vice President in the planning of the Annual Trip. They will promote the involvement of the Law Society in charitable events in coordination with the Vice President. Organisation of the Arts & Social Sciences Bar Crawl for Law Society members. The role is to be elected in September.

Law Ball Coordinator – Overall responsibility for organisation and management of the Annual Law Ball and Christmas Party.

Careers Liaison (2) – Liaise with the Law School careers service and sponsors of the  Law Society. Responsibility for the running of careers and networking events organised by the Law Society on behalf of sponsors. Will work with the President to engage and work with sponsors and ensure good relations. Responsible for the organisation and execution of the Commercial Awareness Award and publication of the Commercial Awareness Newsletter.

Competitions Officer – Responsible for the organisation of practical skills competitions throughout the first and second semester. Organise workshops in pursuit of preparing students for these competitions and enhancing practical skills, such as public speaking, mooting, trial advocacy, and negotiation. Liaise with the Law School in the organisation and management of internal and external practical skills competitions.

Academic & Welfare Officer – Responsibility for the organisation and execution of the annual book sale and Annual Diversity Event. Liaise with the Law School staff on academic issues, such as UCU strike action and works with the First Year Representative, Postgraduate Representative, and Non-Law Representative to organise academic events beneficial to student members. Must be present at all Student-Staff Panel meetings the Law School organises. Responsible for attending to members’ wellbeing needs when necessary and appropriate.

Sports Secretary – Maintain and manage the links between the Law Society and the Law Sports teams. Represent the Sports teams on Law Society issues.

Bar Officer – Organise events targeted towards those looking to pursue a career at the Bar. Will work with the Careers Liaisons to build links and enhance members’ career opportunities.

Postgraduate Representative – Represent postgraduate students based within the Law School, including GDL, LPC, BPTC and LLM students. Communicate Law Society information to postgraduate students, and work to ensure inclusion of postgraduate students within the Law Society. The role is to be elected in September.

Non-Law Representative – Represent Cardiff University students who choose to become members of the Law Society despite being from a non-law degree. Communicate Law Society information to non-law students, and work to ensure inclusion of non-law members within the Law Society. The role is to be elected in September.

Social Secretary (2) – Organise a variety of socials throughout the year, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Post will be held by two people who will work with First Year Representative, Post-Graduate Representative, and Non-Law Representative to ensure a variety of interests. 

Law Review Editor-in-Chief – Run the online Cardiff University Law Society Law Review platform, as well as any print material that comes under this domain. Liaises with Careers Liaisons and sponsors to contribute to the platform.

Communications Officer – Run the Law Society social media accounts, including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat with the aim of increasing student engagement and growing follower count. Work closely with the President and other Officers to create promotional material for the society, including posters, social media content, flyers, booklets, etc. Responsible for organising photography coverage of Law Society events where applicable.

 [6.9] A vote of ‘no confidence’ in a committee member must be submitted formally in writing by any member to the entire committee and the Guild of Societies. This is to be voted on in an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) called by the committee with at least two weeks’ notice. A minimum of half the society’s membership must be present and the motion must be passed by two thirds of those present. The decision of this vote is subject to appeal by the committee member through the Societies Executive Committee.

[6.10]A change in committee roles must be passed at an EGM before nominations open.

[6.11]The committee shall have the power to appoint appropriate sub-committee.

[6.12]Committee members should always act in the best interests of their Society. Where a committee member has interests outside of the Society that could come into conflict, or could be perceived to come into conflict, these should be declared to the entire committee. It may be appropriate for them to abstain from the relevant decision making processes.

[7]COMMITTEE MEETINGS

[7.1]Committee meetings shall be held regularly, as required.

[7.2]Quoracy for committee meetings is half of all committee members plus one, or three committee members, whichever is the greater.

[8]GENERAL MEETINGS

[8.1]General Meetings, to which all members are invited, shall be held as and when necessary.

[8.2]An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall normally be held during the Spring Semester.

[8.3]At least two weeks’ notice of a General Meeting shall be given by the Secretary to all members and Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[8.4]Constitutional amendments, which include changes in committee structure, can be passed at any General Meeting by two thirds of those present or by more than half of the membership, whichever is the lesser.  Amendments will then require ratification by the Societies Team.

[9]FINANCE

[9.1]The Law Society’s finances must be administered in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Guild of Societies and Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[9.2]In the event that the Law Society is no longer able to carry out its activities, and thus folds, all assets and debts will revert back to Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[9.3]Under no circumstances will the Law Society’s funds be distributed amongst members.

[9.4]Committee members shall not receive payment or any other kind of financial benefit from the Society. Only genuine out-of-pocket expenses will be authorised by the Societies Team.

[9.5]The Law Society may not enter into any contract or other legally binding arrangement without the permission of Cardiff University Students’ Union.

[10]COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS PROCEDURES

[10.1]Informal complaints against the Law Society or any of its members or committee members shall be submitted to the Law Society President. The committee shall consider the complaint and may uphold or dismiss the complaint and may be entitled to take suitable action.

[10.2]The Law Society committee shall attempt to resolve complaints, but shall contact the Guild of Societies for advice and further discussion.

[10.3]Reports of alleged misconduct or inappropriate behaviour of any members or committee members shall be submitted in writing to the Law Society President or the Guild of Societies.

[10.4]The Guild of Societies may refer matters to the Students Union’s Complaints Policy, Discipline Policy or Disputes Between Members Procedures.

[10.5]The complaints procedures shall be clearly communicated to the alleged offender(s) to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities.

[10.6]The initial complaint or report of alleged misconduct should be forwarded to the Vice President Societies for consideration if:

The Law Society Committee feel unable to consider the complaint without bias, or;

The complainant feels the complaint or report will not be considered without bias.

In this case, an appeal against the outcome of a decision shall be sent to the Students’ Union President.

[10.7]Actions from complaints and allegations, which are upheld, may include the following;

Verbal or written reprimand and/or;

Suspension of any or all membership privileges and/or;

Termination of membership of the Law Society and/or;

Referral of complaint to the Students’ Union Complaints or Discipline Procedures and/or;
Other actions as outlined in the Activities Laws.

[10.8]Outcomes of a complaint or report of alleged misconduct are subject to appeal. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Vice President Societies, as outlined in the Activities Laws.

Ratification

This constitution was ratified at a General Meeting of the Law Society on 27^th February 2020. Submission of this document to the Guild of Societies will be deemed as ratification of the Law Society’s Constitution.