Independence
Independence
Follow our journey towards registration as an independent charity.
Background
The University of Law Students’ Union (ULaw SU) is currently a department of the University, meaning that we operate and are governed in the same way as all University departments. This is unusual within the wider UK Higher Education sector, with 95% of students’ unions being independent charities.
Benefits and Challenges
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 since 2021, with the expansion of permanent and elected staff and officers, which has generally improved the working relationships between the SU and ULaw.
You can read our original full report on the benefits and challenges of becoming an independent SU.
| Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Students' confidence in their SU | Additional costs |
| Independent Advice | Staff time |
| Funding opportunities and contracts | New policies and procedures |
| Charity rates and discounts | Increased level of risk for the SU |
| More efficient processes | Reduced staff benefits |
Timeline
We plan to keep this timeline updated every few months, so keep checking back to follow our progress.
In 2020, conversations began with the University Executive Board about transitioning into an independent charity. This coincided with changes in University leadership, and significant SU development to better serve student needs benchmarked against industry standards and sector best practice.
Over the years, there have been many discussions and votes from different areas of the University and Union.
In October 2022, the Students’ Union Governing Board voted unanimously to support the SU in becoming an independent charity.
The Governing Board at that time was made up of four external governors (experts from the wider sector), one University representative, two elected student representatives, and the two Co-Presidents.
In April 2023, the Student Parliament members of 2022-23 held a formal vote in representation of the wider student body. Turnout was 89% and members voted in a 92% majority in favour of the SU becoming an independent charity.
In October 2023, we held an all-student referendum. We published a report, co-written with the University, which outlined the benefits and challenges of independence to all parties. Our constitution states that referendums must meet a 5% turnout level to be actionable, and the University requested a turnout of at least 10% to be confident in the representative decision. With a turnout of 13%, exceeding our target of 10%, the result was a 90% majority of “Yes, the SU should become an independent charity”.
We took this result to the University’s Executive Board, but unfortunately they decided that they did not support the Students’ Union in moving towards becoming an independent charity. Our Co-Presidents for 2023-2024 wrote an open letter to students.
At this point, our relationship with the University’s Executive was unfortunately quite fractious. In the spring, an external consultant was commissioned to work with the Executive Board and the Students’ Union in finding a way forward.
This led to the creation of the Development Steering Group, whose main aim is to support the SU on its journey to becoming an independent charity. This group meets monthly, with leadership of the SU and the University to work on actions and next steps.
In September 2024, we also launched our new three-year strategy, which runs from 2024 – 2027. Our aim at the end of those three years is to become an independent charity, with the University supporting this move if we achieve our strategic goals.
Since the creation of the Development Steering Group in September 2024, the group has supported the following big steps forward:
- The creation of a new Finance and Risk Subcommittee to the Governing Board (January 2025)
- Launch of an external Democracy and Governance Review (March 2025)
- Launch of an external Brand Development Review (May 2025)
- Positive feedback of the achievements of goals in Year 1 of our Strategic Plan
- Creation of a new role of a fixed-term Governance and Policy Coordinator (August 2025)
- Creation of a People and Culture Subcommittee to the Governing Board (planned for January 2026)
