Article 2 – Objects

The objects and purposes for which the Association is constituted are:-

• to promote the exchange of ideas and information, and encouraging close collaboration, among those with a professional interest in the practice or study of employment law in Ireland,
• to afford opportunities for the discussion and consideration of matters of interest to members of the Association in this regard,
• to do all such other lawful things as are incidental to or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or either of them.

Article 3 – Membership

1. To be eligible to join the Association as a member, a person must have a professional interest in the practice or study of employment law in Ireland, and must be a person who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, is qualified to assist the advancement of the objects and purposes for which the Association is constituted and who may be elected at a Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Association by a majority of those present and voting.
2. Applications for membership of the Association shall be made in writing to the Secretary.
3. Membership shall cease if:
1. the member resigns or dies;
2. a member’s subscription is in arrearsfor a period of over three months, unless the Executive Committee otherwise determines;
3. a person is removed by a decision of the Executive Committee.
4. There shall be two categories of annual membership subscription fees:
   • A standard membership subscription fee, which applies generally to all members, and,
   • A reduced membership subscription fee, which applies to students and to lawyers who have been in practice for less than five years.

Article 4 – The Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee of the Association shall consist of:
   • The Chairperson,
   • The Vice Chairperson,
   • The Secretary,
   • The Membership Secretary
   • The Treasurer,
   • The North/ South of Ireland Co-Ordinator
   • No less than seven, and no more than fourteen other ordinary Executive Committee members.
2. The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the Executive Committee which shall endeavour to meet on at least four occasions a year to dispose of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit. At least one third of the total number of members of the Executive Committee must be present to perform these functions.
3. Only members of the Association may be appointed to the Executive Committee.
4. Candidates for election to the Executive Committee shall be nominated by members of the Association, and elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association to serve until the next Annual General Meeting. If necessary, a members' vote shall be held to elect members to the Executive Committee. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
5. The Executive Committee shall fill all vacancies occasioned by death, suspension or resignation in all elected Officers (with the exception of the office of the Chairperson). Such appointees shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.
6. The Executive Committee shall have power to co-opt additional Committee Members who shall be members of the Association, provided that the number of co-opted members does not exceed one third of the total number of elected members on the Executive Committee. Co-opted Committee Members shall have the same voting rights and powers as elected members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have such powers as may be necessary to carry out its functions, including the opening of bank accounts and the signing of cheques. All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and counter signed by one of two members of the Executive Committee designated by the Executive Committee for this function and all items of expenditure (other than cheques of less than €500) shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article 5 – The Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Association. He/ she shall have power to call special meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee.

Article 6 – The Vice Chairperson

The Vice Chairperson shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him/ her by the Chairperson or by the Executive Committee and shall discharge the duties of the Chairperson whenever invited to do so by the Executive Committee owing to the disability or absence of the Chairperson.

Article 7 – The Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association. He/ she shall notify the Officers and all members of the Executive Committee of their election or appointment and shall issue notices of all meetings. He/ she shall do and prepare such other matters as the Executive Committee may from time to time require.

Article 8 – The Membership Secretary

The Membership Secretary shall maintain a written roll of members of the Association.

Article 9 – The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall collect and disburse all funds of the Association on the order of the Executive Committee and shall keep proper accounts in books belonging to the Association. He/ she shall address members present at the Annual General Meeting, and provide a brief account of the finances of the Association.

Article 10 – The North/ South of Ireland Co-Ordinator

The North/ South of Ireland Co-Ordinator shall endeavour to develop links and collaboration with practitioners, academics and others with a professional interest in employment law between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Article 11 – Indemnity to Officers

Members of the Executive Committee acting on behalf of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association from all liabilities and expenses incurred by them in or about the discharge of their respective duties, except such as happen from their own respective, wilful misconduct.

Article 12 – General Meetings

1. Special General Meetings shall be held at such time and place as the Executive Committee may determine.
2. At least 14 days clear notice of a Special General Meeting shall be given to each member.
3. The Annual General Meeting shall be held upon a date in each year as the Executive Committee shall appoint but no later than 15 months since the previous Annual General Meeting.
4. At least 14 days clear notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to each member.

Article 13 – Voting at General Meetings

Unless a poll is demanded in writing by at least three members, a declaration by the Chairperson at a General Meeting that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular majority and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Association shall be sufficient evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour or against such resolution. If a poll be demanded by three members or more, the same shall be taken in such manner and either at once or after an interval or adjournment as the Chairperson directs and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the Association in General Meeting. On a show of hands or at a poll, every member present and entitled to vote shall have one vote, whether he/ she be the nominee of a representative member or an individual member. In the case of an equality of votes at any General Meeting, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.

Article 14 – Membership Subscriptions

1. The standard membership subscription fee and the reduced membership subscription fee shall, in the first year of the Association’s existence, be determined by the Executive Committee. Thereafter, these fees shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Treasurer, following consultation and agreement by the Executive Committee, shall report to the Annual General Meeting of the Association the rates which, in his/ her opinion, are desirable. If necessary, a vote by a show of hands or at a members' poll shall be taken on the proposed rates. Every member present and entitled to vote shall have one vote. If a majority of voting members agree with the proposed rates, those rates shall be fixed as the membership subscription fees of the Association. If the rates proposed by the Treasurer fail to pass by means of such a vote, members may discuss and propose new membership subscription rates. Thereafter, new proposed rates shall then be put to a further vote, under the same voting rules mentioned in this Article. This process shall be repeated until a majority of voting members agree with proposed rates. In the case of an equality of votes in any such vote, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
2. All subscriptions shall be due at the commencement of the year in respect of which they are payable.

Article 15 – Amendments

These Articles may be amended at any Annual or Special General Meeting of the Association by a vote of at least two thirds of those present and voting provided that notice of any proposed amendment or new Article shall be given in writing to the Secretary at least two calendar months in advance and forwarded by him/ her to each member at least 14 days before such General Meeting. A quorum of one quarter of the total number of members of the Association must be present at such General Meeting for a proposed amendment to be passed.

Article 16 – Activities of the Association

The Association shall organise various events and activities for the promotion of the aims of the Association, including regular seminars for the purpose of discussing topical issues of employment law. Persons who are not members of the Association may attend these seminars, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, upon payment of a fee, if any, to the Association to be determined by the Executive Committee.

Article 17 – Affiliations

The Association shall be affiliated to the International Society for Labour Law and Social Security. The Association may be affiliated to any other organisation as the Executive Committee sees fit.

Article 18 – Receipt of Gifts

The Association is entitled to receive gifts, monetary or otherwise, should such an offer arise.

Article 19 – Dissolution of the Association

1. The Association may be dissolved at any Annual or Special General Meeting of the Association by a vote of at least two thirds of those present and voting provided that notice of such dissolution shall be given in writing to the Secretary at least two calendar months in advance and forwarded by him/ her to each member at least 30 days before such General Meeting. A quorum of one half of the total members of the Association must be present at such General Meeting for the dissolution of the Association to be passed. Upon foot of such a resolution to dissolve the Association being passed, all members shall be notified in writing by the Secretary of such.
2. If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Association there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any assets whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association. Instead such assets shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having main objects similar to the main objects of the Association. Members of the Association shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some charitable object.

Article 20 – Notices

Any notice required by this Constitution to be given to members of the Association shall be validly given if sent by hand, by facsimile transmission, by post or by email to the member personally.