The Association

The United Kingdom Constitutional Law Association (UKCLA) is the UK’s national body of constitutional law scholars affiliated to the International Association of Constitutional Law. Its object is to ‘encourage and promote the advancement of knowledge relating to United Kingdom constitutional law (broadly defined) and the study of constitutions generally’.

UKCLA  organises and supports seminars, runs a blog (followed by over 5,000 people and read by many more) and maintains a register of PhD projects related to UK constitutional law. UKCLA’s president is Sebastian Payne (University of Kent) and there is an executive committee elected by members.

Formed in 2003, initially as an informal group,  past chairs of the group are Professor Anthony Bradley (2003-2007), Professor Dawn Oliver (2007-2010), and Professor Andrew Le Sueur and Sebastian Payne (co-chairs, 2010-2013); Andrew Le Sueur was president of the UKCLA in its inaugural year (2014-15). Sir Stephen Sedley was the group’s founding Honorary President. The group was put on a more formal footing in January 2014 and became UKCLA. The association’s rules are here. To become a member of UKCLA, go to the Membership page.

The Constitution Society sponsors the UKCLA blog

Founded in 2009, The Constitution Society is an independent, non-party educational foundation. The society promotes public understanding of the British Constitution and works to encourage informed debate between legislators, academics and the public about proposals for constitutional change. The Constitution Society does not take any position on the merits of specific reform proposals, and neither supports nor opposes the introduction of a written constitution. They do however oppose ill-considered, piecemeal constitutional change. The society believes significant constitutional legislation should be introduced only after careful preparation and broad consultation, with adequate time for scrutiny and debate in Parliament, and not merely to serve the political interests of the government of the day. Additionally constitutional bills should be subject to a more rigorous parliamentary process than other types of legislation. Alongside their focus on constitutional issues, the society supports initiatives which aim to improve the quality of government and legislation generally in Britain. The Constitution Society is a registered charity. It has no connection with any political party and does not take any money from government; it receives funding from individual donations and grants by educational trusts and foundations.