Cambridge University Law Society

The Cambridge University Law Society (CULS) is a society at Cambridge University which is run by students for students. Founded in 1901, the Society is one of the oldest of its kind and has an active membership of over 1500 members. The Society caters for those interested in law either as an academic discipline or as a potential career and therefore includes students studying law as well as those studying for other triposes. CULS aims to provide all of their members with a range of benefits and events, both academic and recreational.

On the more academic side, the Society provides a forum for the debate of current legal issues, inviting speakers from all over the globe to speak on their areas of expertise. Past speakers have included Lord Neuberger, Lord Justice Lawrence Collins, Lord Faulkner LC, Linda Dobbs QC, Cherie Booth QC and Rosalyn Higgins QC.

The Society also publishes a termly magazine, Per Incuriam which covers a number of popular Tripos topics and includes editorial and letters sections. It organises regular mooting competitions for its members, including 'Fledglings' (open to Freshers), The De Smith Competition (open to all Cambridge students), the Brick Court Team Competition, and at least two Essex Court Speed Moots (for competitors of all abilities). The Society enters a number of teams into national and international mooting competitions to represent Cambridge.

CULS also provides career guidance to those wishing to pursue a career in the law. This is done through a range of mediums. On the web, the Society provides invaluable insights into the different firms offering training contracts, by way of ‘solicitor profiles’, and is building a range of partnerships with different career orientated organisations such as ‘Vault’. The Society also organises numerous opportunities for our members to meet with members of the Bar and a range of Law Firms in informal settings.

The Society also has an enviable reputation for organising some of Cambridge's top social events. Headline socials each year include Freshers' Drinks and Returnees' Drinks in Michaelmas, Champagne and Chocolates and the Annual Dinner in Lent, and President's Drinks and the Annual Garden Party in Easter. An average of three to five events are hosted each term. One of the main highlights of the social calendar is the Annual Law Ball, often cited as being the best ball outside of May Week, and is held in Michaelmas term for approximately 600 people. In 2006, CULS held its first Varsity Dinner with the Oxford Law Society in Oxford. The Society also offers students a chance to go on foreign exchange trips each year, currently through the Leiden Exchange (with Leiden University) and the Paris Exchange (with the University of Paris).

Elections for the Executive Committee, which includes the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, are held once a year in Lent term. Positions are open to all members of the society, and are held for a full year.

Per Incuriam

Per Incuriam is the name of the publication produced by the Cambridge University Law Society. It is a magazine both for students and run by students.

The contents of the magazine are varied, with a focus placed on the submission of articles from students. Per Incuriam aims to be a forum for the finest young legal minds to have their work published. Produced on a termly basis, not only is the magazine a place for lively academic debate, it is also of major interest to the most prestigious law firms in the country. All the magic circle firms have placed adverts in recent editions. Each copy is between 40-60 pages long and traditionally every edition includes a tripos section, which incorporates first class essay answers in to the magazine. Per Incuriam has recently evolved into a key part of the Society, and remains at the heart of daily life in the Cambridge University Law Faculty.

Presidents

External links

• Cambridge University Law Society

See also

Oxford Law Society