The University of Queensland Law Society

The University of Queensland Law Society was founded in 1937 by Harry Gibbs, later to become The Right Honourable Sir Harry Gibbs GCMG AC KBE QC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

The Society’s archived history begins in 1971, when, following representations by the Society, the TC Beirne School of Law decided that students should assume some editorial role on the University of Queensland Law Journal. The editorial role of UQ Law students in an academic journal was re-established in 2007 with the Law School’s creation of the Queensland Law Student Review, to which the UQLS appoints one representative from its Executive.

On 31 August 1973, the Society held its first Law Ball at the Colmslie Hotel. Obiter, then the Society’s journal, recorded: “Generally it is felt that a faculty as big as ours can stand having its own faculty ball (like Med., Physics, Engineers, Veterinary Science etc.). … The $12.00 is all inclusive (i.e. drinks, food, band all provided) and is as reasonable as we could make it.”

In 1976, the Society hosted the Australia and New Zealand Association of Law Students (ANZALS) Annual Conference. Events included a boat cruise down the Brisbane River, a Wine and Cheese Evening, and the ANZALS Ball, attended by 400 people. In the same year, Obiter was edited by George Brandis, later to become Senator for Queensland.

The Society has since hosted the renamed Australian Law Students' Association (ALSA) Annual Conference three times – in 1981, in 1991 (in conjunction with Queensland University of Technology), and in 2003.

The first QIT (now QUT) vs UQ Sports Match was held in September 1985. The event is now known as the UQ vs QUT Rugby Grudge Match and has become an annual tradition.

The Society’s Law Revue, an annual sketch comedy show written, directed, and performed entirely by UQ Law students, was first held in 1990.

The Society’s Law Cup, an annual day of sporting competitions between Brisbane Law firms and UQ Law students, was established in 1994.

In 2000, the Society became a not-for-profit incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld) and adopted a new constitution. The following year saw the introduction of the L Card, a student discount card initially organised between the Society and Queensland University of Technology Association of Law and Justice Students (QUOTALS). Currently a joint venture between the Society, QUOTALS, and Griffith University Law Society (GULS), the L Card is the largest student discount card in Brisbane.

In 2010, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, became the Patron of the Society. 

The Society continues to advocate for the interests of UQ Law students through representation on the Law School Appointments Committee, the Law School Graduates Association, and the Council of ALSA.