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UCD Law Society |
| UCD Law Society | |
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| An Cumann Dlí | |
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| Motto: | Ar son na córa |
| Established: | 1911 |
| President: | Prof. John Jackson |
| Location: |  Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Website: | http://www.lawsoc.ie |
The UCD Law Society is one of the largest student societies in Europe. Indeed, it is among the oldest and most heavily subscribed debating unions in the entire world. Established in 1911 as 'The Legal and Economic Society', it has over 3800 members drawn from the various faculties of the University. The Law Society continues to retain and discuss the central ideals and precepts of our civilisation. Weekly Tuesday night debates during term are the society's core activity. Individuals who have addressed the Society include President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Former Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern and Former President of the E.U. Commission, Jacques Santer. The society's motto is "Ar son na córa" (in the pursuit of justice). Now in its 98th Session, the current Auditor is Niall Ó hUiginn.
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The Law Society is primarily a debating society which gathers once a week to discuss topical motions. House debates generally take place on Tuesdays and topics often range from abortion to US Foreign Policy to the European Union. The society is also heavily involved in competitive debating and has a proud record in the Irish Times National Debating Championship and various inter-varsities through Ireland and indeed, the World.
Over recent years the Society has established a reputation as one of the best Moot court institutions in the country. It hosts its own mooting competition with the winners taking part in the National Moot Court Final.
The Honorary Vice-Presidency and the Honorary Life Membership are the highest accolades which the Law Society can bestow upon an individual and are arguably the most prestigious awards any student society can confer. Only members of the judiciary or legal academics can become Vice-Presidents, while the Honorary Life Membership is bestowed upon any individual who has excelled in his or her chosen vocation. People who have been honoured by the society include US Supreme Court Judge, Antonin Scalia, Baroness Hale of Richmond,former Irish President Mary Robinson, former US President Bill Clinton and internationally renowned author, Jung Chang.
Most recently, during the 98th session, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers received the Vice-Presidency.
International celebrities and sports stars have also been honoured by the society and include Hollywood Actors Leslie Nielson, John C. McGinley and Jeremy Irons as well as international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan.
The society is run by an Auditor who is elected on a yearly basis by the enrolled membership of the Society. The auditor is the head of the committee and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Society. The current auditor is Mr. Niall Ó hUiginn .
The committee is chosen by the Auditor. The Treasurer maintains the finances of the society while the Librarian has the responsibility of archiving the society's records. Current incumbents are Garry Wynne and Maria McHenry respectively. Debates convenors are charged with organising the weekly house debates, the current debates convenor is Stephen McCrea. Public relations officers are responsible for ensuring that the societies events get sufficient media coverage and that the societies reputation for excellence is maintained. The current public relations officer is Dylan Broomfield.The Society also appoints a Senior Treasurer (a staff member) to overlook Society affairs and to ensure its general wellbeing. Former Auditor, Rossa Fanning, now a lecturer in the Law School, currently holds this position
These are largely ceremonial roles. The president of the Society is ex-officio the Dean of Law, currently Professor John Jackson. Dr Hugh R. Brady, the President of UCD is the Patron of the Society.
The Society receives far less funding from College authorities than its yearly calendar of events demands, and as such seeks corporate sponsorship to cover the costs of each Session. Currently, it receives generous sponsorship from its title sponsors, A&L Goodbody Solicitors.
| University Parliamentary Debating |
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| World Universities Debating Championship |
| Regional Championships |
| Asia · Australasia · Europe · John Smith Memorial Mace · North America |
| National Championships |
| Australia · Canada · Ireland |
| Organizations |
| APDA · CUSID · English-Speaking Union · IONA Debating Circuit · NPDA |
| Styles |
| Australasian · British Parliamentary |
| Societies |
| Birmingham · Brown · Cambridge · Cork · Durham · Galway · Glasgow · Limerick · Manchester · Maynooth · Otago · Ottawa · Oxford · Princeton · Sydney · St Andrews · Tilbury · TCD-Hist · Toronto · TCD-Phil · UBC · UCD-L&H · UCD-Law · Victoria · Western Ontario · Yale |
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