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Statutes

(Last update: general meeting du 26 January 2023)

Article I – THE ASSOCIATION

THE ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW – FRENCH BRANCH is an association governed by the law of 1 July 1901 and the decree of 16 August 1901. It is affiliated with the International Law Association, whose headquarters are in London and which enjoys observer status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Article II – PURPOSE, AIM

The association’s aim is the study, codification and development of public and private international law. It participates in the activities of the International Law Association.

Article III – HEAD OFFICE

The head office of the association is located at the home of the Secretary General. It may be transferred by simple decision of the Board of Directors. This decision must be ratified by the General Assembly.

Article IV – DURATION

The duration of the association is unlimited.

Article V – MEMBERS

The association is composed of:

  • active members;
  • legal entity members;
  • honorary members;
  • benefactor members;
  • life members;
  • doctoral student members.

Active members are natural persons.

Legal entity members may propose up to three persons to participate in the activities of the association. They have only one vote for decisions at general meetings.

Honorary membership may be granted by the board of directors to any natural person whose activity is oriented towards international law or likely to promote its development. It does not exempt from payment of the annual subscription.

Benefactor members are persons who pay an entry fee and an annual subscription.

Life members pay a flat-rate subscription paid at the time of their admission as a life member.

Doctoral members are individuals registered for a doctorate who are preparing a thesis relating to international law. They provide proof of their registration at the request of the Secretary General. Once admitted in accordance with Article VI, they benefit from a reduced membership fee and participate in the activities of the association. They elect their representative to the Board of Directors. They cannot be designated to participate in the international committees or working groups of the International Law Association. Doctoral members may become active members without going through the admission procedure provided for in Article VI.

Article VI – ADMISSION

Any application must be submitted by two members of the association to the Board of Directors, which, after examination, forwards it for decision to the ordinary general meeting.

Article VII – CONTRIBUTIONS

Members pay a membership fee, the amount of which is set by the ordinary general meeting on the proposal of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII – CANCELLATION

Membership is lost by:

  • a) resignation;
  • b) death;
  • c) the termination pronounced by the board of directors for failure to pay the contribution for two consecutive years or for serious reason. In the latter case, the interested party is invited to present his observations to the board of directors and may appeal the decision of termination before the ordinary general meeting.

Article IX – RESOURCES

The resources of the association are made up of the contributions of the members, the amounts of the entrance fees of the benefactor members, the subsidies of the public authorities, and any other resources authorized by the law which would receive the approval of the ordinary general meeting.

Article X – ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

The ordinary general meeting includes all the members of the association. It meets at the initiative of the board of directors at least once a year. It deliberates validly regardless of the number of members present or represented. It may meet and deliberate by electronic means of communication.

At least ten days before the set date, the members of the association are summoned individually. The agenda is indicated on the summons. The summons are sent by e-mail or any other means that would replace this method of communication in the future.

The treasurer reports on his management and submits the balance sheet each year for approval by the ordinary general meeting.

The ordinary general meeting elects the members of the board of directors.

Article XI – EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

The extraordinary general meeting has sole authority to amend the statutes or dissolve the association, in accordance with Articles XVI and XVII. It is convened at the initiative of the board of directors or at the request of half plus one of the members of the association who are up to date with their contributions.

Article XII – Board of directors

The association is managed by a board composed of eight to sixteen active members elected for two years by the general meeting, as well as a doctoral member elected by his peers. The members of the board are eligible for re-election. Former presidents also sit on the board of which they are members by right.

In the event of a vacancy, the board provides for the replacement of its members. Its choice must be ratified by the next general meeting.

The board of directors meets at least every six months upon convocation by the president or at the request of half of its members. The board of directors may be consulted and deliberate electronically as a substitute for a physical meeting. Decisions are taken by majority vote. The president has the casting vote in the event of a tie.

Any member of the board who, without excuse, has not participated in two consecutive meetings will be considered to have resigned.

Article XIII – OFFICE

The board of directors chooses an office from among its members.

The office is elected for two years; it is composed of:

  • a president;
  • two vice-presidents;
  • a secretary general and, if applicable, an assistant secretary general;
  • a treasurer and, if applicable, an assistant treasurer;
  • a director of studies and, if applicable, an assistant director of studies;
  • a communications manager.

The members of the office are eligible for re-election.

The president or the secretary general represent the association in all acts of civil life.

Article XIV – COMPENSATION

All functions, including those of board member and office member, are free and voluntary. Only expenses incurred in carrying out their mandate are reimbursed upon receipt. The financial report submitted to the ordinary general meeting presents, by beneficiary, the reimbursements of mission, travel or representation expenses.

Article XV – INTERNAL RULES

Internal rules may be established by the board of directors, which then has them approved by the general meeting.

Article XVI – Amendment of the statutes

The statutes may be amended by an extraordinary general meeting on the proposal of the board of directors or ten active members of the association. In either case, the proposals must be sent to all members of the meeting at least 30 days in advance. The meeting must be composed of at least a quarter of the members in office, including members voting by proxy. If this proportion is not reached, the meeting is convened again, but at least fifteen days later, and this time it can validly deliberate, regardless of the number of members present.

In all cases, the statutes can only be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present and represented.

Article XVII – Dissolution

The association may be dissolved by the formal vote of an extraordinary general meeting ruling by a two-thirds majority of the members present and represented according to the procedure provided for in Article XVI. The association’s board will proceed with the liquidation of the association’s assets.