Student Societies for students in the Law School

Manchester University Law Society (MULS)

The Manchester University Law Society was established over 15 years ago to provide our students with social events and sporting opportunities. These are all sponsored by Law firms, (both City and regional). Socials include a Spring Ball, pub quiz and Halloween party. The sporting activities include football, rugby and netball. The Law School teams dominate the University League tables. In addition there is an annual inter-university sports day held in Manchester.

Further MULS liaises with our External Relations Director and the Careers’ Service to ensure that our students are aware of the importance of the optional weekly skills sessions and presentations, as an addition to the academic teaching (these are held in conjunction with the careers service and major law firms).

MULS is a Society run by students for students. It adds to the student experiences of university life and it is hoped creates a bond between our students from year one.

Streetlaw Society (previously Manchester Pro Bono Society)

The Manchester University Streetlaw Society is organised for first year students by second year students who conduct “Streetlaw” presentations.

These aim to provide information on legal rights to community groups (who do not have access to such information). Projects this year have included schools, young offender institutions and the Chinese community The students research the area of law required by each project-under the supervision of an academic and then in teams present their particular topic to the relevant community. This year over 120 first year students participated.

The Manchester University Streetlaw Society was runner-up in the 2008 Student Team Working Awards and the Price Waterhouse teamwork awards.

Manchester Mooting Society

Mooting is a vital part of every undergraduate law student’s education. Whether you intend to practise as a solicitor or a barrister the advocacy skills that a moot teaches is invaluable. In addition, involving oneself in a moot will develop many transferable skills, including research, legal analysis, presentation and team working. The Manchester University Mooting Society aims to develop such skills by offering expert support and training, hosting regular training sessions that complement a short guide to mooting, which is distributed to all members.

The Society hosts an annual internal mooting competition sponsored by an international law firm and judged by practitioners in the North West, as well as preparing teams to participate in national mooting competitions.

An interesting and popular facet was added to the society with the development of ‘speed mooting’, which requires a student to prepare a mooting problem in a short period of time; offering a true test of one’s mooting ability.

Manchester Bar Society

The Bar Society aims to provide students with the information necessary to be successful in pursuing a career at the Bar. You will have the opportunity to meet practising barristers on the Northern Bar Circuit, pupils already working in Chambers and students on the BVC course, who will share their experiences and provide you with useful tips on how to fulfil your career ambitions.

The Bar Society is also 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 Debating Society

The Debating Society provides the opportunities for our undergraduates 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, Christine and Neil Hamilton.

The Debating committee liaise with the sponsoring law firm and organise the various aspects of the competition from start to finish. Debating is a vital and useful skill which helps students to develop presentation skills and the concept of lateral thinking, essential for any career.

Legal Advice Centre Society

Following interest from some of the Student Volunteers at the Legal Advice Centre, a new student society has been formed. The society will aim to promote the work of the Centres (both on campus and in East Manchester), offer workshops, arrange community outreach programmes e.g. in schools, develop the use of bi-lingual student advisors to provide a translation service for clients, and to fundraise through social events.

FLUB

FLUB (First Year Law, University and Beyond) is a society run by second year students for the first year students and was designed with the aim of providing first year law students with information regarding the careers available to them. Advice is given through a variety of skill sessions, negotiation games, presentations and informal social events, which are attended by representatives from across the legal profession, including trainees from 'Magic Circle' firms, barristers and legal aid lawyers and non-law representatives from other employers.

At the end of the year the sponsoring firm holds an event for the students to inform them about decisions they may have to take in their second year, cvs and so on.

Law in the City

'Law in the City' provides up to 40 second year law students with a day in London (paid for by the firms) discovering the unique rewards of a legal career within many of the Capital’s leading commercial law firms. Students attend their offices and learn, by way of interactive sessions, case studies and discussions with partners and Human Resources personnel, Life as a City lawyer.

Pathways to Law

Pathways to Law is funded by The Sutton Trust and College of Law. The University of Manchester is one of 5 universities in England to have submitted a successful bid for funding to deliver the programme for 5 years.

The aim is to encourage and support students in years 12 & 13 to apply to study Law at university. We support the pupils through a variety of activities, which include UCAS application advice sessions, careers days, parent’s information sessions, mentoring from current University of Manchester Law students and organised legal work placements in Manchester, plus a day in London visiting City law firms. The Society in the Law School helps to mentor and run the events.