Societies

Joining a society offers unique experiences, networking and professional development opportunities whatever your level of study.

One of the strengths of studying with us is the wide range of student societies available.

Debating Society 

The Debating Society provides the opportunities for you to participate in an internal debating competition, commencing in the autumn semester with teaching sessions on how to debate, and various 'knock out' rounds leading to the final in the spring.

Judges have included Jeremy Paxman, Cherie Booth and Neil and Christine Hamilton.

The debating committee liaises with the sponsoring law firm and organises the various aspects of the competition from start to finish.

Debating is a vital and useful skill which will help you to develop presentation skills and the concept of lateral thinking, essential for any career.

Find out more

• Legal Advice Centre

Law Bar Society

The Law Bar Society aims to help you develop skills vital to a legal career.

They will help you to prepare for an annual internal mooting competition which is sponsored by an international law firm and judged by practitioners in the North West, as well as organising mooting sessions throughout the year.

These include 'speed mooting', an innovative version of mooting which requires preparing a mooting problem in a short period of time and offers a true representation of legal work. 
 
The Society also supports students wishing to pursue a career at the Bar.

You will have the opportunity to meet practising barristers on the Northern Bar Circuit, and get help and advice from pupils already working in Chambers.

The Law Bar Society is an excellent way to meet other students aspiring to the same career as a number of socials are arranged throughout the year, some of which are held at Barrister Chambers in Manchester.

Manchester University Law Society (MULS)

MULS is a society run by students for students which aims to bring students across the department together through activities sponsored by local and regional law firms.

Enjoy being part of socials, such as seasonal balls, pub quizzes and trips abroad, and join one of the many sports teams which include football, rugby and netball.

MULS also promotes the importance of the weekly skills sessions and presentations, in addition to academic teaching.

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• Manchester University Law Society (MULS)

Pro Bono Society

The Pro Bono Society was formed following a merger between the Streetlaw Society and the Legal Advice Centre Society and strives to serve the local community by promoting and facilitating access to justice.

Through our various programmes, we hope to increase awareness of the importance of the legal system and the impact it can have on individuals.

We are aware that there remains a vast amount of legal need in our community and this is a problem we hope to alleviate.

The Pro Bono Society offers students the opportunity to get involved in group projects aiming to provide legal information to different sectors of the local community.

These can be in the form of workshops, seminars, or information drop-in desks.

Following the legal aid cuts, this has become a good way for the local community to gain information on legal rights as well as a great opportunity for students to gain experience in researching and public speaking.

Find out more

• Pro Bono Society

Society of Current Affairs and Commercial Awareness (SCACA)

Understanding of the commercial realities of business and legal practice and being up to date in world affairs are essential to a successful career.

Find out how these issues impact the legal sector and engage in critical debate.

The European Law Students' Association (ELSA)

ELSA is the largest independent law students' association in the world and it is still growing. As the world's biggest of its kind, ELSA offers students and young lawyers the opportunity to be active and to educate themselves beyond the classic university curriculum. The keystones of ELSA are a mutual understanding of various cultures and people, the education of lawyers with social and intercultural competence, and the participation in academic programmes with practical relevance to the professional world.

Members of ELSA benefit from the international focus of the association, which is reflected by having exclusive opportunities to participate in the Winter and Summer ELSA Law Schools - intensive courses in various fields of law (Maritime Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Human Rights). Destinations include Prague, Lisbon, Istanbul and Athens. Another exclusive opportunity for ELSA members is the Student Traineeship Exchange Program, particularly aimed at penultimate and final year students as well as postgraduates.

• Visit the ELSA Facebook page