DU Law Society: A Year in Review

by Eoin Ryan (Secretary) and Ruth Brady (Auditor)

The 89th Session of Lawsoc was jam-packed as ever with a massive array of events from balls to boxing.

The Society was delighted to award a number of individuals with the Praeses Elit medal in recognition of their distinct contribution to justice. Notable recipients this year included Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell, Lord Justice Andrew Burrows, and Ailbhe Smyth Mathew S Rosengart, the attorney who led the #FreeBritney case, however, was undoubtedly the members' favourites

Lawsoc’s competitions were as successful as ever, receiving huge engagement across the board from Senior Mock Trial to our annual Natalie Forde Maidens Memorial Competition. In what might be a Lawsoc first, Crea Shine and Tacha Byrne won both Commercial Negotiations and Junior Mock Trial This year also marked the first year of Cambridge hosting the Trinity-Cambridge Intervarsity which was a massive success - aside from the fact both Trinity teams lost! As always, members had huge enthusiasm for LawSoc’s infamous social events. Firm favourites such as Swing Ball in the Shelbourne Hotel and Law Ball in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Meath returned with a great night had by all. These were complemented by some fantastic themed club nights such as the Berghain night and the Monochrome Party which made for a packed calendar of socialising.

The Charities subcommittee had a hugely successful year raising over €15,000 for BeLonGTo Services, an LGBTQ+ youth charity. Lawst and Law Day were held alongside Charity Boxing's sold-out fight night, headlined by some of the meanest and toughest law students to ever grace the ring. Trinity Women in Law, now in their third year, carried on the great work of previous committees by running the hugely popular Mentorship Programme and published their Annual TWIL Report LawSoc’s Outreach programme also continued to further its aim of promote access to studying law at third-level by teaching and mentoring Transition Year students from DEIS and disadvantaged schools After Covid put a stop to the programme during the 88th Session, this year saw a return to in-person classes in Dublin alongside online classes delivered across the country. The programme reached nearly five hundred students with thirty student mentors from Trinity taking part.

This year was the biggest year that the Law Society has had yet In between the partying, fundraising, competitions and innovation (hopefully new events like the Alumni Gala and the Human Rights Speaking competition will continue for years to come!), we grew our social media by platforms and following, passed a new constitution, and successfully navigated the first full year back post-Covid. There were bumps along the way (these are available to read about in The Piranha!) but all in all, it was a stellar year thanks to a stellar committee Jack R, Aisling, Amy, Alice, Alex, Connor, Hattie, Canice, Cormac, Crea, Eoin, Sam, Louise, Hobbes, Hana, Lara, Meher, Kylie, Michael, Jack W and Ursala - thank you for making this year happen Your efforts will give the 90th session a smooth takeoff.