For nearly three years, the Students’ Union (SU) has been deliberating its transition into an independent charity, striving to make the case for better services to students. This has coincided with changes in university leadership and significant SU development to better serve student needs, benchmarked against industry standards and sector best practice.

Our published report aims to provide a concise overview of how independence may benefit our students and what challenges the SU would face from changing its status from a department of the university, to a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).

Co-Presidents Statement

Following the result of the SU Independence Referendum (details below), we discussed the outcomes with the University Executive and have faced challenges in progressing the campaign. Your SU Co-Presidents have written an open letter to all students to highlight these issues which include: 

• being honest with the student body and their concerns that the University has let you down and has silenced your voice
• their frustrations that the University feel that "Students don't understand what they're voting for - they'd vote for anything"
• examples of the challenges faced by students and staff due to the dependence of the SU on the University
• their feelings on being the lowest funded SU in the UK and how the costs of independence fall short of the average spending in the sector
• ways that students can take action to help us ensure the the SU can properly represent you

Independence Referendum

Voting in the independence referendum was held in October alongside the Lead Ulaw Representative Elections. Thank you to all the students who took the time to vote! With 13% of students having their say and a 90% majority agreeing the benefits outweigh the challenges - the final result is YES - the SU should officially begin its journey towards becoming Independent from the university. We have now taken this result to the University's Executive Board to assist in our conversations around encouraging them to support the Students' Union to becoming an independent charitable organisation and will keep students updated as they progress.

When analysing the benefits and challenges of independence, it is important to note that being independent does not mean being disconnected from The University of Law. The nature of being a students’ union requires a close working relationship between both organisations. This relationship is detailed within the Education Act, as well as within the constitution of the SU and the Memorandum of Understanding between ULaw and ULaw SU. In order to deliver for students, it is important that structural change does not hinder partnership working which should be hardwired into the DNA of the university and the SU. The SU has seen significant structural change over the past 2.5 years, with the expansion of permanent and elected staff and officers, which has only improved the working relationships between the SU and ULaw.

Benefits Students' confidence in their SU Independent Advice Funding Opportunities and Contracts Charity Rates and Discounts More efficient processes

Challenges Additional Costs Staff Time New Policies and Procedures Increased Level of Risk for the SU Reduced Staff Benefits

Update on SU Independence - April 2025

Our new SU Strategy runs from 2024-2027, with September 2024 - August 2025 being the first year of the plan. More information on our 2024-2027 Strategy can be viewed HERE.

We recognise that in order for the University to allow us to move towards being a fully independent Students' Union, we have a lot of work to do. This work largely sits within policy and governance, although there are further considerations to be made in terms of staff capacity, financial sustainability and recognition of the Students' Union by the student body.

The SU has set up a Development Steering Group, whose main aim is to support the SU on its journey to becoming an independent charity. This group is an action-focussed group, which meets monthly with set actions for completion, and discussions which span the entirety of our strategy.

Since Septembre 2024, the group has supported the creation of a new Finance and Risk Subcommittee to the Governing Board, as well as overseen the approval of external consultants to undertake a Democracy and Governance Review, and a Brand Development Review.

We are hopeful that in the summer of 2025, we can look at our annual KPIs and be confident that we are moving into the second year of our strategy in a strong position.