GħSL

Law students have always played a pivotal role in student representation efforts in Malta, At the beginning of the 20th century, on the initiative of a then law student, Arturo Mercieca (later Sir Arturo Mercieca), that the CPU (nowadays KSU) was set up as the first student union on the island.

As the number of students attending the University of Malta increased, the need was felt for student representation efforts to be localised in the various faculties. Once again, a group of law students, in 1943, set up Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi (Law Students' Society). This group of students was led by a student named Joseph Ganado. This young student was later to become Professor of Civil Law at the Faculty of Laws of the University of Malta and to be considered as one of the pillars of the Maltese legal profession. Prof. J. M. Ganado at present occupies the post of honorary president of Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi, along with other distinguished personalities.

Today, Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi plays an essential role in the law students’ academic experience at the University of Malta. Student Representatives are appointed by the Society for every year of the law course to upkeep communication between the Society, the Faculty of Laws and the students themselves. The Society’s website (www.ghsl.org) also serves as an efficient and up-to-date online noticeboard. Its popularity is proven by the high number of hits it receives throughout the year.

These efforts are complimented by the organisation of several seminars and conferences. Such activities are often addressed by both local speakers as well as top foreign speakers. Particular emphasis is also made on the publication of the Id-Dritt Law Journal, a renowned publication both with the law student and the legal practitioner alike. This publication serves as a valuable source of legal teaching, especially when specific publications dealing with the local legal scenario are scarce. GĦSL has also recently launched an online journal, entitled ‘Quid Juris?’, which allows students to further make their legal opinions heard. This site may be accessed at quidjuris.ghsl.org.

Għaqda Studenti Tal-Liġi also boasts its own Thesis Library, located at the Faculty of Laws offices. It contains a collection of theses presented to the Faculty of Laws as well as a number of books and foreign journals kindly donated by the Society's benefactors. Borrowing from the Thesis Library is easy and flexible. Any student may obtain the requested material for a nominal fee. Furthermore, the Thesis Library has several Dissertations available in Compact Disc format.

Finally, the Society also organises social events to combat the stress accumulated as a result of hours of lectures and studying. Activities range from pub crawling and parties to the annual Graduation Ball and St. Ivo celebrations.