The Constitution

Article 1 – Name

The name of the Association shall be “The Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies”, hereinafter referred to as the Association.

Article II – Objects

1. The Association shall not engage in political activities.
   
   
2. The objects of the Association are, with commitment to the Commonwealth's fundamental values:-

(a) To provide a framework for cooperation between the law reform agencies of the Commonwealth.

(b)To encourage communication and liaison between members so as to foster law reform and minimise duplication of effort.

(c) To promote, maintain and strengthen contacts and cooperation between members.

(d) To facilitate bilateral exchange of publications, information and views between members.

(e) To identify core subjects for collaborative efforts for law reform.

(f) To encourage the sharing of experience between members on methods and best practice for carrying out law reform.

(g) To further the development of member databases.

(h) To provide means of access to experts and expertise in particular areas of law.

(i) To facilitate the sharing of members’ experience about the implementation of law reform recommendations.

(j) To exchange information on monitoring and evaluating the success of law reform measures.

(k) To provide mutual support between members.

(l) To foster and promote development of independent law reform agencies, both inside and outside the Commonwealth.

(m) To share information between members in relation to sources of funding for law reform.

(n) To facilitate visits by members and staff to other agencies.

(o) To organise specialised conferences in relation to law reform.

(p) To encourage and assist the establishment of law reform agencies outside the Commonwealth.

(q) To do anything incidental or conducive to the carrying out of the foregoing objects.

Article III – Membership

1. All applications for membership of the Association shall be made to and shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee

1. (A) There shall be two types of membership, ordinary membership and associate membership.

1. (B) Associate membership is appropriate for an applicant which or who does not wish to have ordinary membership, or for whom ordinary membership is not appropriate. An associate member has the same rights and privileges as an ordinary member, except that an associate member is not entitled to vote, or to move or second motions, at General Meetings of the Association, and is not eligible for election as a member of the Executive Committee.
   
   
2. The Executive Committee shall admit to membership, or to associate membership, such law reform agencies, organisations and associations or any of their constituent parts as it may in its discretion think fit.
   
   
3. Membership, or associate membership, of the Association is open to any law reform agency which, or individual who:-

(i) Supports the objects of the Association;

(ii) Tenders payment of any membership dues for the then current year established by the Executive Committee; and

(iii) Is approved by the Executive Committee.

Article IV – General Meetings

A General Meeting of the members of the Association, conducted by the members assembled or by correspondence, shall ordinarily be held at least once every two years at such time and at such place as the Executive Committee shall determine.

At such General Meeting the business shall include the election of the Executive Committee, the appointment of an auditor, the consideration of a report of the work done by or under the auspices of the Committee and of the audited accounts, and the transaction of other matters as may from time to time be necessary.

Article V – Executive Committee

1. The affairs of the Association shall be managed by an Executive Committee. Subject to the general directions of a General Meeting the Executive Committee may take any action on behalf of the Association which, in its opinion, will further the objects of the Association.
   
   
2. The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the General Meeting of the Association in accordance with Article IV above. The Committee shall, so far as is practicable, be broadly representative of the ordinary members of the Association as a whole and shall consist of not less than seven and not more than ten persons, as prescribed hereunder:-

(a) A President

(b) A Vice-President

(c) A General Secretary

(d) A Treasurer

(e) A minimum of three and a maximum of six members representing as many of the countries of the Association as possible.

3. Election to the Executive Committee shall be for four years. One half of the membership shall retire after two years but shall be eligible for re-election, the members to retire being those who have been longest in office since the last election. As between members who have been in office the same length of time, those due to retire shall be chosen by lot.
   
   
4. In addition to the members so elected, the Executive Committee may co-opt up to three further members being representatives of ordinary members of the Association or otherwise, who shall serve until the conclusion of the next General Meeting after individual co-option PROVIDED THAT the number of the co-opted members shall not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Executive Committee at the time of co-option. Co-opted members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Executive Committee.
   
   
5. Any casual vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by the Committee and any person appointed to fill such a vacancy shall hold office until the conclusion of the next General Meeting of the Association and shall be eligible for election at that Meeting.
   
   
6. The Executive Committee shall appoint and fix the remuneration of the General Secretary and of all other staff not being members of the Committee as may in their opinion be necessary.
   
   
7. The Executive Committee may make by-laws and regulations within the framework of this Constitution for the furtherance of the objects of the Association.

Article VI – Financial Arrangements

1. Funds collected or raised by subscription shall be deposited in the name of the Association at a bank selected by the Executive Committee.
   
   
2. The General Secretary or Vice-President and Treasurer or President shall jointly operate the accounts of the Association according to the directions of the Executive Committee.

Article VII – Amendment of the Constitution

A General Meeting may amend this Constitution by a two-thirds majority of those ordinary members present and voting.

Article VIII – Dissolution

If the Executive Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, it shall call a meeting of all ordinary members of the Association, of which meeting not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting, the Executive Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Executive Committee may determine.

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