CARDIFF UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY HANDBOOK
www.cardiffunilawsociety.co.uk
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY HANDBOOK Cardiff University Law Society is the largest society affiliated with the Cardiff University Students’ Union. This publication highlights some of the extra-curricular opportunities available to students at Cardiff Law School. 1
Introduction
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Socials
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Freshers Week
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Law Sports Teams
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Law Society Clothing Range
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Join the Committee
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Publications
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The Annual Trip
4 Commercial Awareness
5 The Art of Advocacy 6
Law Ball
YOUR JOURNEY
INTRODUCTION CARDIFF UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY is the LARGEST society on campus and enjoys a strong relationship with CARDIFF LAW SCHOOL. It is built up of over 600 members with an even larger following on social media. We recognise that a Law is a challenging degree and pursuing a legal career is highly competitive. The Society hosts a range of activities and events both social and academic to ensure a balanced time at university. The Society puts on both formal and informal socials during the year. If you are looking to develop key personal skills the Society hosts an annual Public Speaking Series, a Commercial Awareness Series and a Mooting (advocacy) Competition. There are multiple opportunities to whet the appetite of those aiming to be a Lawyer in the future. Trips to the Inns of Court and Strasbourg or invitations to the Lincoln dinner or Inner Temple dinners may help you decide whether to pursue a career as a BARRISTER. If your sights are set on being a SOLICITOR there are the opportunities to attend exclusive networking sessions with the graduate recruitment teams at some of the largest and most esteemed firms in the country. There are also opportunities to be published in the Society’s annual publications. The Law Journal showcases first class work or there is the opportunity to submit legal articles in ‘Unprecedented’ magazine. Getting involved with the activities put on by the Law School is an excellent way to enhance your C.V and your employability.
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FRESHERS’ WEEK
LOOK OUT FOR... LAW BOOK SALE is an opportunity for students moving into the next academic year to sell their used books. The books are sold at competitive prices. It is a great way to save on the expense of buying brand new textbooks. There are also hundreds of revision guides available to buy which students often find a valuable study tool to have during exam season. The Law Book Sale takes place during Freshers Fortnight so students have their reading list taken care of before tutorials begin.
MEET YOUR LAW SIBLING. The Law School and the Law Society work closely together in order to pair new students with a buddy in their penultimate or final year. While students use their personal tutors as the main point of support it can be nice to have a friendly face amongst their fellow students when starting at University. A sibling social takes place during Freshers Fortnight. 2
CLOTHING CLOTHING
The Law Society gives students the opportunity to purchase hoodies and polo shirts from its official clothing range. The clothing is of the highest quality and will be a memento of your time at Cardiff Law School. LAW CLOTHING IS CURRENTLY EXPANDING. 3
The phrase on everyone’s lips...
“COMMERCIAL AWARENESS” IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN THE CITY... … The Commercial Blog is a platform for students to showcase their
commercial and business skills. For those pursuing a career in Law, particularly as a commercial lawyer expanding your knowledge in this area is essential. “OUTSIDE OF YOUR STUDIES COMMERCIAL AWARENESS IS CONSIDERED THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT EMPLOYABILITY FACTOR BY TOP GRADUATE RECRUITMENT TEAMS”.
COMMERCIAL AWARENESS SERIES The launch of the new Commercial Awareness Series is a further
opportunity for students to nurture their commercial knowledge. The Commercial Awareness Series comprises of a series of workshops lead by professionals in the field (not just Law). 4
THE ART OF ADVOCACY
COMPETITIONS The BOND DICKINSON PUBLIC SPEAKING SERIES is an excellent way for students to embrace their talents or combat their fears. The Society arranges a series of engaging workshops designed to give members the skills and confidence to address an audience. The Series comprises of a number of workshops lead by practicing Barristers and Solicitors. The Series culminates in a competition where members are able to give a three minute speech on a subject of their choice. Titles have ranged from ’Lights Camera Courtroom’ to ‘Should Barbie be Banned’. Last year’s winner was awarded an IPAD MINI! MOOTING is an opportunity for students to get a sense of what it feels like to argue in court. Students present their argument before a judge and argue against their opposing counsel. The moot finals of 2012-13 were held in the Supreme Court. This is a tradition which is set to continue in 2013-14. Mooting is an integral aspect of the Legal Foundations module for first years. Students in second and third years have the opportunity to get involved with mooting as a voluntary activity. Aside from developing your public speaking skills it is an opportunity to learn how to answer problem questions succinctly. 5
A CHANCE TO MOOT AT THE SUPREME COURT
THE LAW BALL
The Law Society’s annual LAW BALL is our most spectacular and glamorous event of the year. The Law Ball is held at Cardiff’s City Hall for a night of elegance and splendour. There is a Champagne Reception and a three course meal. The night is concluded with live music and dancing at the front of the hall. As the pinnacle of the social calendar the tickets for the Law Ball are highly sought after. Every year the Law Ball has a an exciting theme. The hall is decked out with decorations to create an electrifying atmosphere.
AN UNMISSABLE EVENING
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SOCIALS
Cardiff University Law Society hosts a range of SOCIALS throughout the year. The Social Secretaries pair with a promotions company to bring you great deals and exciting nights out. If clubbing is not your scene there will be non-alcoholic socials and quiz nights for members to attend. The society also hosts a number of NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES with Law Firms for you to hear about a firm from the graduate recruitment team themselves. Socials are a great way to get to know your fellow students and share experiences with like-minded people.
Follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK or more information
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SPORTS LAW NETBALL has an A team and a B team. However, the squad also welcomes members who wish to train weekly to improve their fitness and not necessarily play competitively. The A and B teams play in the IMG netball league against other course teams. The netball squad is highly successful and plays within the top division of the league. There is also a fantastic social aspect to team sports and netball hosts regular socials for all members.
LAW FOOTBALL has an A team and a B team which play competitively within the Cardiff University IMG league. Like netball, the teams host regular socials and it is a great way to play in a team with your course mates which sets it apart from the Cardiff University Football Teams. 8
GET JOIN INVOLVED US WITH YOUR SOCIETY. ELECTION WEEK Election week is an exciting week at Cardiff University Law Society. Members wishing to run for a role on the committee design a poster and use social networking to campaign to their fellow students. Candidates make a speech at Hustings before a 24 hour time period during which members can vote.
JOIN A SUB-COMMITTEE There is the opportunity to get involved with sub-committee. There are multiple opportunities to get involved depending on your interests.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
ACADEMIC
UNPRECEDENTED
SOCIAL
The Society recruits for sub-committee positions at the start of the academic year. A position of responsibility at university is C.V gold dust and will make a job application stand out. Look out for more information about how to get involved with the Executive after joining Cardiff Law School.
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PUBLICATIONS UNPRECEDENTED is the Law Society’s official quarterly publication. It could be the debut of your career as a legal journalist. The magazine contains reports of Summer Internships and opinion pieces on contentious legal issues. It is also a fantastic way to pick up tips from law firms in the trainee profiles which can be found inside each issue. Editions are published quarterly so either get involved in writing articles or pick up a copy from the library or Unprecedented team after they are published.
UNPRECEDENTED ABROAD is the Law Society’s official Erasmus blog. If you are studying French and German as well as your Law course then read updates from students currently on their year abroad.
THE LAW JOURNAL is the Law Society’s prestigious publication which is available at the end of each academic year. The journal showcases work from students who achieved high first class grades n their modules. The Law Journal also offers students to write an essay to be published in the magazine. The essay is written on a subject of your choice. Being published in the Law Society journal is a very high achievement.
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THE ANNUAL TRIP
Every year the Law Society hosts an annual trip abroad. Previous destinations have included Amsterdam, Paris and Edinburgh. The trip includes opportunities to experience an exciting new city with your friends as well as fun activities and great nights out. The location of the trip is traditionally kept a secret until it is revealed by the Vice-President in time to buy a ticket!
AN EXCITING TRIP TO A SECRET EUROPEAN LOCATION
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Secretary @ cardiffunilawsociety.co.uk Cardiff University Law Society Cardiff Law School
Cardiff University Museum Avenue Cardiff CF10 3AK
www.cardffunilawsociety.co.uk
Design and Layout: Enfys Jenkins 2013 Text: Compilation Cover Photo: © Phillip Vasquez Photo Credits: Cardiff Law School, Cardiff University, Advocates © Phillip Vasquez 2011 Arcade, London, Winter Wonderland and Edinburgh © Tirion Jenkins 2013
Special thanks to previous committees for the society photos.