Description
Who Are We?
The University of Bristol Criminal Justice Society was established in 2021, and our aim is to bring together students who share an interest in criminal justice and provide them opportunities to gain valuable experience, learn more about the criminal justice system, and improve their advocacy skills. Our society’s events include debates, moots, pleas-in-mitigation, mock trials, talks and panels, socials (including pub socials, society collaborations and study socials), and trips. We went to the Supreme Court, Inner Temple and Crown Court last year, and will be doing trips like these in 2026-2027!
Taking a holistic and inclusive approach to criminal justice, our society welcomes both law and non-law students, and we welcome and encourage a diverse range of approaches. We want our members to have engagement with the criminal justice beyond just studying the law and simply attending events just to build their CV, which is why we encourage our members to engage in thoughtful discussion and critically explore the justice system from a wide range of perspectives and disciplines. Our debates aim to both educate members on the criminal justice system further than by what merely reading allows, and to build advocacy skills.
Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in law, policing, criminology, the courts or another area of criminal justice, we hope to provide a welcoming space where you can learn and develop. This is why we don’t require any prior knowledge of the criminal justice system, previous debating experience, or confidence in speaking.
This year we are hoping to put on even more trips, advocacy opportunities and socials, and we hope to see you there!
Upcoming events:
Our events are a perfect way to enhance your CV, develop connections within the profession and meet like-minded people!
These events will be listed on our Instagram (@bristolcjs) and sent out via email to our members, so make sure to follow us and keep an eye out to avoid disappointment!
In the meantime, our first event is our Give it a Go! Debate on the 16th September, so if you are interested you can sign up via the SU website. This event will be a great way to meet society members, learn more about the criminal justice system and have thoughtful discussions in a relaxed environment.
Membership:
Our membership fee is £5 for the whole year or £3 for half a year.
If you need assistance covering the cost of your membership fee, please email us. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality and on a no-questions-asked basis.
Meet the 2025-2026 Committee:
Our committee members are very approachable and would love to hear from you! If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to email us on our society email address, email a society member or engage with our Instagram to stay updated!
Get in Touch!
Instagram: Bristol CJS
Our Website: Bristol CJS
Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
