Cambridge University Law Society

The Cambridge University Law Society (CULS) is a student-run society at Cambridge University. 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 so 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 to speak on their areas of expertise. Past speakers have included Lord Neuberger, Lord Clarke, 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 media. 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 organises 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, 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. Produced and edited by students with contributions solely from law students, it is the closest English equivalent to the US "law journal".

Per Incuriam is produced on a termly basis, and is supported by advertisements, mostly from major law firms. Each copy is between 40-60 pages long and traditionally every edition includes a tripos section, which incorporates first class essay answers into the magazine.

External links

See also