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Constitution

1     NAME

The charity’s name is the Worcestershire Medico-Legal Society (WMLS) (‘the Charity)

OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY 

For the public benefit to advance education and health through the promotion of medico-legal knowledge and understanding especially in Worcestershire and to develop contacts and co-operation between the professions and, in furtherance of this purpose: 

  1. To arrange talks and other events such as one-day conferences on the above topics which are open both to members and to the general public
  2. To publish papers and other documents on these topics which shall be available to members and to the general public 
  3. To collaborate with other bodies who have similar functions
  4. To do anything which is incidental to the performance of these functions

 

3    TRUSTEES

The Charity shall be managed by a Board with a minimum of six trustees (‘the Trustees’) who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) of the Charity.

 

4     OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

From the Trustees the following officers (‘the Officers’) shall be elected annually:

  1. A president;
  2. A secretary; and
  3. A treasurer.

 

5    CARRYING OUT THE OBJECTS

In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the Trustees have the power to:

  1. Raise funds, receive grants and donations
  2. Apply funds to carry out the work of the Charity
  3. Co-operate with and support other charities with similar objects
  4. Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the objects

 

6    MEMBERSHIP

The Charity shall have a membership. The membership shall be open to anyone in the following categories:

  1. Medical professional, including nursing and para-medical professionals
  2. Legal professionals, including judges, barristers, solicitors and legal executives
  3. Students in any of the above categories
  4. Members of the Police Service
  5. Professionals in related fields such as social workers
  6. Members of any other professions which the committee of the society shall admit at its discretion

Membership lasts for one year and may be renewed. The Trustees will maintain an up to date membership list.

 

7    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

  1. The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days’ notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM.
  2. There must be at least 12 members present at the AGM.
  3. Every member has one vote.
  4. The Trustees shall present the annual report and accounts.
  5. Any member may stand for election as a Trustee.
  6. Members shall elect a minimum of seven Trustees to serve for the next year. The will retire at the next election, but, may stand for re-election. 
  7. The members shall then choose a president, treasurer and secretary from the Trustees elected.

 

8     TRUSTEE MEETINGS

  1. Trustees must hold at least three meetings each year.
  2. At least three Trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
  3. If Trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while the matter is being discussed or decided.
  4. During the year the Trustees may appoint up to two additional Trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM.
  5. The Trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the Charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.

 

9     MONEY AND PROPERTY

  1. Money and property must only be used for the Charity’s objects.
  2. Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.
  3. Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the Charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.
  4. Money must be held in the Charity’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by two Trustees.

 

10     GENERAL MEETINGS

If the Trustees consider it necessary to change the constitution or to wind up the Charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the members can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of the members. All members must be given 14 days’ notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two-thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.

  1. Winding Up – any money or property remaining after the payment of all debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes as this one.
  2. Changes to the Constitution – can be made at AGMs or at General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.
  3. General Meeting – called on written request from a majority of members.
  4. Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the members.

 

11     SETTING UP THE CHARITY

This revised Constitution was adopted by the members at the AGM in November 2017.