Irish Society of Comparative Law

1)
 

2)

a)

Ordinary membership for individuals.

b)

Corporate membership for institutions.

c)

Student membership for students.

d)

Honorary membership awarded by the officers for those individuals who have served the aims of the Society with distinction.
 

3)

Executive business is conducted by our Executive Council:

a)

The Executive Council is made up of the following officers:

i)

The President represents the Society, has primary responsibility for planning our activities, presides at all meetings, and acts as guardian of our aims and Constitution.

ii)

The Vice-President assists the President in his duties and acts as membership officer.

iii)

The Secretary records and circulates as appropriate minutes of all our meetings, acts as archivist, and notifies members of events relevant to our aims.

b)

Elections:

i)

Candidates for office must be ordinary members in good-standing.

ii)

A member is presumed to be in ‘good standing’ when they have paid their membership fees for the calendar year.

iii)

Officers are elected at General Meetings for three-year, renewable terms by ordinary members present, voting, and in good-standing.

iv)

Nominations should be communicated to the Secretary at least fourteen days before the meeting.

v)

Where there are two or more candidates, voting is conducted by secret, non-transferable vote. If a majority is not reached, the two candidates receiving the highest votes compete for the office.

vi)

Where only a single nomination is received for a particular office, the person nominated is deemed elected.

vii)

Where no nominations have been received beforehand, nominations may be taken from the floor. Where no nominations are forthcoming, the officers shall appoint, as soon as is reasonable, an ordinary member in good-standing to the position.

viii)

Vacancies shall be filled at the earliest General Meetings. If the vacancy is in the Presidency, then the Vice-President acts as President until the next General Meeting. For the other offices, the remaining officers may appoint an ordinary member in good-standing to the position until elections at the next General Meeting.

c)

Rights and responsibilities of the officers:

i)

The evaluation of membership applications is the prerogative of the officers. Annual membership fees shall be required at such rates and times as they prescribe.

ii)

The officers may dismiss any member for stated reasons and a unanimous vote. The officers themselves may be impeached in an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting for stated reasons and by two-thirds of the ordinary members of the Society in good-standing.

iii)

A Treasurer shall be appointed to assist the officers. The Treasurer is responsible for our financial affairs and shall produce account statements at General Meetings and when requested by the Council.

iv)

The officers may select individuals for an Advisory Board; immediate past officers are ex officio members of the Board. Both ordinary and honorary members may serve on the Board. Advisory members serve at the pleasure of the officers, who shall meet the Board biannually.

d)

Subject to this Constitution, the officers may create byelaws for the Society and the National Committee. Such byelaws should be available to any member on request.
 

4)

Annual General Meetings shall be held and the following business conducted:

a)

Officers’ communications.

b)

The election of officers, if necessary.

c)

Constitutional amendments.

d)

Any other business.
 

5)

Extraordinary General Meetings shall be called for stated purposes by a petition of twelve ordinary members in good-standing or at the discretion of the officers.

a)

The meeting shall take place within forty-two days of the request being presented to the Secretary; all ordinary members shall receive at least twenty-one days reasonable notice of any such meeting.

b)

If the meeting is called for the purpose of dissolving the Society, approval requires a two-thirds majority of ordinary members in good-standing. If dissolution is approved, the officers shall use any assets of the Society to settle its debts and liabilities.
 

6)

Except where otherwise provided, decisions are made by a simple majority of ordinary members in good-standing present and voting.

a)

Officers are presumed to be in ‘good standing’ during their term of office. All officers shall be given reasonable opportunity to vote in its decisions. Voting is open and results are minuted. If necessary, the President has the deciding vote.

b)

At General Meetings, decisions require a quorum of one-third of the ordinary members in good-standing. Unless otherwise agreed, votes are open and minuted.
 

7)

The officers shall select individuals for a National Committee representing the Republic of Ireland with the International Academy of Comparative Law. The officers may select individuals from their own ranks.

a)

The Committee consists of a General Secretary and four additional members.

b)

The Committee serves at the pleasure of the officers and are ex officio members of the Advisory Board.

c)

Where possible, the Committee should reflect the diversity of those teaching or working in Irish law.
 

8)

Where possible, a corporate member of the Society should serve as host institution for the Society and the National Committee.
 

9)

Proposed constitutional amendments should be submitted to the Secretary to ensure that at least twenty-one days reasonable notice may be given to members. Amendments are successful if approved by a two-thirds majority of ordinary members in good-standing present and voting.
 

10)

The Society is an association constituted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland, where it is domiciled.