Law & Politics Society

LAW AND POLITICS SOCIETY

Overview of the Society and Its Objectives

The Law and Politics Society (LPS) is one of the leading student-run societies at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). It serves as a dynamic platform for intellectual engagement through national and international moot competitions, critical dialogue via panel talks and podcasts, and practical exposure through court visits and academic field trips. LPS operates at the intersection of law, governance, and politics.

The Society is committed to fostering analytical thinking, democratic debate, and professional development among students. Through academic simulations, discussions, speaker sessions, and advocacy initiatives, LPS bridges theoretical legal education with real-world political and institutional realities.

Objectives

The core objectives of LPS include:

• Promoting informed discourse on contemporary legal and political issues.
• Encouraging critical engagement with constitutionalism, governance, and public policy.
• Providing students with experiential learning opportunities such as moots, simulations, podcasts, and written submissions.
• Creating platforms for dialogue between students, academics, policymakers, lawyers, diplomats, and public intellectuals.
• Strengthening leadership, research, and advocacy skills within the student body.

Role in Student Life at SAHSOL

LPS plays a central role in shaping the intellectual culture at SAHSOL:

• Acts as a bridge between classroom learning and public affairs.
• Provides law students with platforms to apply doctrinal knowledge to real world scenarios. 
• Encourages interdisciplinary collaboration  
• Cultivates a culture of reasoned disagreement, civil discourse, and evidence based argumentation. 

Structure and Operations of LPS

A. Executive Council

The Executive Council is the principal decision making body of the Society, responsible for strategic direction, operational oversight, and institutional representation.

Members of the Executive Council:

• President
• Vice President
• Director General (DG) Moots
• Treasurer
• Head of Research and Policy
• General Secretary

The Council ensures coherence between departments, supervises major initiatives, and represents LPS internally and externally.

B. Directorate

The Directorate handles the execution and operational management of LPS initiatives. Each department is led by Directors and supported by Assistant Directors.

Departments include:

• External Relations
• Moots
• Marketing
• Publications
• Human Resources
• Social Responsibility Program (SRP)
• Public Relations & Engagement (PRE)

The Directorate ensures effective planning, coordination, and implementation of events, collaborations, and campaigns in line with the Society’s objectives. 

C. General Members

General Members form the broader working body of LPS and contribute to:

• Event management and execution
• Research assistance
• Content creation and publications
• Marketing and outreach
• Operational support

This tiered structure balances professionalism with broad based student participation and leadership development. 

Types of Events Conducted

LPS organizes diverse academic, professional, and civic engagement initiatives:

A. Moot Court Competitions and Mock Trials

• Simulate judicial proceedings through mock trials.
• Organize national and international moot court competitions.
• Draft moot propositions addressing domestic and global legal issues.
• Engage practicing lawyers, academics, and judiciary members as adjudicators.
• Collaborate with institutions for sponsorships and thematic partnerships.

B. Panel Discussions and Distinguished Talks

LPS hosts discussions on:

• Constitutional law and democratic governance
• Public policy and institutional reform
• Human rights and international law
• Political development and state institutions
• Speakers include lawyers, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, and journalists.

C. Workshops and Skill Based Sessions

• Legal research and academic writing workshops
• Advocacy and oral argument training
• Policy drafting and legislative simulation sessions

D. Social Responsibility Program (SRP)

• Build legal literacy and constitutional awareness
• Develop advocacy  
• Provide mentorship and professional engagement
• Promote gender inclusivity and community-based legal engagement

E. Campaigns and Awareness Initiatives

• Focused on constitutional rights, civic awareness, and legal literacy.
• Mobilize students on issue-based campaigns within academic frameworks.

F. Student Publication – The Political Animal

• Platform for critical inquiry, interdisciplinary analysis, and creative expression.
• Publishes essays, analytical commentary, poetry, and visual art intersecting law, politics, and society.

G. Podcasts and Digital Engagement

• Proposed student-led podcast series.
• Explore contemporary legal and political developments.
• Engage students, academics, and policymakers in accessible discussions. 

Major Past Events and Flagship Initiatives

A. High-Profile Panel Talks and Distinguished Speakers

• Hosted national leaders: Imran Khan, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
• Engaged judiciary members: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Ijaz ul Ahsan, Salman Akram Raja, Asma Jahangir (Late).
• Hosted policymakers and ministers: Hammad Azhar, Shafqat Mahmood, Murad Raas, Khawaja Saad Rafique.
• Security and institutional leaders: Asim Bajwa, former DG ISPR. 

B. Flagship Moot Platforms

• LUMS International Moot Court Competition (LIMCC): Nationally recognized
• Intra-LUMS Moot Court Competition (ILMCC): Training ground for advocacy skill development within LUMS. 

C. Harvard Pakistan Forum × LPS Collaboration

• Cross-institutional dialogue connecting global academic perspectives with Pakistan’s legal and political landscape.

D. Institutional Exposure

• Visits to Supreme Court of Pakistan, Punjab Assembly, Governor’s House for practical institutional experience.

E. LPS Podcast Series

• Digital initiative exploring aw, governance, and political developments.

F. The Political Animal

• Student publication amplifying scholarship, commentary, and creative expression. 

G. The Dispute: ICJ Edition

• Moot court competition for O/A Level students simulating International Court of Justice proceedings.

H. Social Responsibility Program (SRP)

• Aimed to build legal literacy and constitutional awareness
• Provide mentorship and professional engagement
• Promote gender inclusivity and community-based legal engagement 

I. Mooting Coaching and Capacity Building

• Structured programs to train students for national and international competitions.
• Develops research, drafting, and oral advocacy skills.        

J. Campaigns and Awareness Initiatives

• Example: Branches of Safety – Reimagining Protection of Women in Digital Spaces
• Addressed online gender-based violence and promoted cyber safety. 

5. Achievements and Contributions

• Established as one of the most active academic societies at SAHSOL.
• Successfully organized large-scale, professionally managed moot court competitions.
• Built partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Enhanced student exposure to practical legal advocacy and public policy engagement.
• Strengthened SAHSOL’s intellectual presence within the broader LUMS community.
• LPS continues to evolve as a platform for rigorous debate, professional development, and institutional collaboration.