Code of Conduct

The Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and actively encourages diversity and promotes inclusion and accessibility at all our events.

Events, which are fully or partially funded by the SLS, or which are organised in collaboration with the SLS, or under the auspices of the SLS, are intended to provide a forum to share knowledge and ideas, and to debate issues from a range of different perspectives. These events (hereafter referred to as ‘SLS Events’) include, but are not limited to, research, events or other activities organised through the SLS Research Activities Fund (RAF), SLS Small Projects and Events Fund (SPEF), SLS Subject Sections Fund (SSF), Annual SLS Seminar, SLS Annual Conference, or/and The SLS Law School and Climate Crisis Fund. 

As a learned society, dedicated to advancing legal education and legal scholarship, the SLS has a strong commitment to free speech – both as a core component of academic freedom, and as an important means of advancing and challenging knowledge. The SLS welcomes open, lively and robust discussion and disagreement between participants at SLS Events, but we also acknowledge that this must be balanced with respect and consideration for others. The SLS values the participation of each member of our community, and we want all participants to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

The Code of Conduct for SLS Events aims to support members by providing information to enable participants at SLS Events to demonstrate respect and courtesy to all others at all times.

To make clear what is expected, all participants – including, but not limited to, organisers, volunteers, exhibitors, participants and/or attendees – at SLS Events are required to conform to the following Code of Conduct for SLS Events. Where an SLS Event is organised by a Subject Section Convenor (‘Convenor’), the Convenor should also adhere to the terms of the SLS Code of Conduct for Convenors to the extent that it imposes any additional obligations upon Convenors.

Discrimination and harassment are expressly prohibited at all SLS Events. Any behaviour or language that is unwelcoming—whether it rises to the level of harassment or not—is strongly discouraged.

All participants at SLS Events are expected to be considerate of each other and to contribute to a welcoming, collaborative and positive event in which everyone can successfully and meaningfully participate and contribute. To facilitate this, we ask everyone participating in SLS Events: 

• To be supportive of each other, both proactively and responsively. If you cannot assist someone looking for help or support, let them know when you may be able to help them later, or direct them to someone else who may be of assistance.

• To be inclusive. Avoid slang or idioms that might not translate across cultures or be deliberate in explaining them to share and represent the attendees’ diverse cultures and languages. Where possible, speak plainly and avoid acronyms and jargon that not everyone may understand.

• To be collaborative. Where possible, involve all individuals in any relevant activities including during talks, workshops and mixers/networking.

• To be polite in all forms of communication.

• To show respect to fellow participants. You will hear a variety of views at SLS Events. If someone is trying to state their opinion, listen actively and try to understand what they are saying from their point of view. Avoid interrupting, where possible.

• To not engage in the harassment of any other participant at SLS Events. Harassment includes offensive communication related to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and social and economic backgrounds; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.

If a participant at SLS Events engages in behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, the SLS may take any action that the Society deems appropriate. These actions include, but are not limited to, warning the offender, requiring the individual to leave the SLS Event (without refund if payment has been made to attend), limiting participation in future SLS Events, suspending membership of the SLS or expelling an individual from the SLS. Any process to suspend or expel a member of the SLS will take place in accordance with Rule 22 of the Rules of the Society of Legal Scholars.

Where a participant wishes to report a breach of this Code of Conduct during an SLS Event, the participant should ordinarily make their initial report to the event organiser – who can either take appropriate action to remedy or sanction the breach during the SLS Event, or who can report the breach to the President of the SLS after the completion of the SLS Event. During the SLS Annual Conference, participants can report a breach of this Code of Conduct to any member of the organising staff, member of the conference committee, member of the registration team or by email (slsconference@mosaicevents.co.uk).

Where an allegation of a breach of this Code of Conduct arises during an SLS Event, the event organiser should always report any such breach, irrespective of whether the organiser has already remedied or sanctioned the breach, to the President of the SLS (admin@legalscholars.ac.uk) at the conclusion of the event. Where appropriate, the President of the SLS may take further actions after the SLS Event to investigate the breach of this Code of Conduct.

Where, in the circumstances, it is not appropriate for a participant to report a breach of this Code of Conduct to the event organiser, including where the breach is committed by the event organiser, a participant can report a breach of this Code of Conduct directly to the President of the SLS (admin@legalscholars.ac.uk).

In investigating any breach of this Code of Conduct, the President of the SLS may, among other actions, seek advice from other members of the Executive of the SLS, form a panel of inquiry consisting of members of the SLS, or commission the services of an individual or group external to the SLS, who may also sit on any panel of inquiry. If, for any reason, such as a conflict of interest, the President of the SLS is unable to carry out the responsibility of investigating a breach of this Code of Conduct, the Vice President of the SLS will carry out that task and may undertake any of the actions set out above.

The SLS is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all. Thank you for your co-operation.

May 2026