There are many student societies operating within the University of Bristol. Within the School of Law, the most prominent is the Law Club. The Law Club is essentially the social arm of the School. It consists of an elected body of students who, in conjunction with sponsoring firms, organise events for the student body. The social calendar is rich and diverse, varying from year to year as the committee membership changes. Studying law is synonymous with hard work and dedication, so it is the overriding objective of the Law Club to introduce balance into students’ lives.
The Law Club is responsible for the organisation of social functions, including several highly successful balls, throughout the academic year. These events also provide an opportunity for students to socialise with members of staff and with representatives of the major City law firms. The Law Club is also responsible for the running of the School sports calendar. Matches take place against other university Law Faculties, as well as teams from legal and financial firms. Anyone, including non-law students, is welcome to become a member of the Law Club and students from all years are entitled to stand for election to the committee.
The Law Club is also heavily involved in the organisation of the Advocacy Programme - a high profile and officially supported extra-curricular activity available to all students in the School of Law. The programme incorporates a number of activities and competitions, all of which are generously sponsored by major law firms. It is a fantastic way to meet people from across the School and from the legal profession, whilst improving one’s knowledge, understanding, and, even enjoyment of the law. The Programme has two major internal sets of competitions at its core: the Hunt Cup Debating Competition and the Mooting Competition. The Programme also offers training in advocacy and organises participation in Inter-Varsity Mooting Tournaments.
There are two other features of life within the School of Law which are worth mentioning. Both are designed to assist students interested in developing skills which will assist them in their future legal careers. The University of Bristol Law Clinic is a non-profit organisation that was set up in 1995 to provide free, confidential, legal advice and assistance to those who, for whatever reason, cannot obtain such services elsewhere. The University of Bristol Innocence Project was established in 2005 and enables students, working under academic supervision and with guidance from local criminal solicitors, to campaign on behalf of innocent victims of miscarriages of justice.