WS Special Interest Groups

The modern WS Society supports legal careers and well-being. We aim to enrich life both inside the legal world and in outside interests, such as history, literature, arts, and culture. This is what it means to belong to a lawyers’ institution where law, history and culture converge.

We therefore encourage all members — from student to employment to retired — to join our Special Interest Group (SIG) initiative.

Each SIG takes the form of a regular meeting covering a specific interest, whether a legal or industry specialism, or a subject outside the law. SIG meeting dates and registration links will be advertised in our monthly Signet Post e-bulletins. An enthusiastic member will take responsibility for organising discussion and meeting dates. Simply register via the link below for any meeting you would like to attend. Most meetings will be by Zoom. 

We are excited to launch four SIGs now.

HISTORY

 The Bibliotheca Polonica: Poland and the Signet Library

Date: Thursday 9 January 2025, 6 pm for 7 pm

Register here.

Sugar, Slaves and High Society: the Grants of Kilgraston 1750-1860

Date: Thursday 16 January 2025, 6 pm for 7 pm

Register here.

Inducing Intimacy: Deception, Consent and the Law

Date: Thursday 30 January 2025, 6 pm for 7 pm

Register here.

BOOK CLUB

Lead: Caroline Docherty WS

Second meeting: 14 January 2025

Second book: A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin

Location: Zoom (click here to register).

AI SIG

Lead: Fiona Killen

First meeting: Thursday 6 February, 12:30 – 13:30

Location: Zoom, (click here to register)

ART

Lead: Valerie Paterson WS

Second Meeting: to be confirmed

Location: to be confirmed

Note interest in joining this group: email membership@wssociety.co.uk

CHARITY AND THIRD SECTOR

Lead: Sarah Brown WS

Second meeting: to be confirmed

Location: to be confirmed  

Note interest in joining this group: email membership@wssociety.co.uk

fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  •  To give members the space to foster connections, share knowledge and advance their specific interest areas.  

  • Each SIG is open to all categories of member, from student to employed to retired. No level of experience or expertise is required.

  • Joining a SIG is free and included in WS membership. There may be ad hoc expenses as dictated by the group from time to time e.g., travel expenses, dining, museum entrance fee etc.

  • The SIGs are a WS membership benefit and meetings are not open to non-members (with the exception of guest speakers or invited guests as dictated by the SIG lead).

  • As many as you would like.

  • Meeting dates will be set by the SIG lead and published monthly in Signet Post. 

  • This will be dictated by the SIG attendees. Meetings can be held in person at the Signet Library or a venue of the SIG’s choice or online. If online, meeting links will be circulated by the WS Society.

  • A link to register your attendance will be circulated with the joining details of each meeting.

  • If you have an idea for a new SIG or would like to become involved in leading a SIG, please contact Sarah Leask.

  • This will be dictated by the attendees and the WS Society will not be involved in arranging the mentorship.

  • We will advertise SIG meeting dates and registration links in our monthly Signet Post e-bulletins.

  • Not at present.

  • Please contact Sarah Leask.

  • Please direct any questions to Sarah Leask, sleask@wssociety.co.uk.