Page:Harvard Law Review Volume 10.djvu/187

161 FRENCH SOCIETY OF COMPARATIVE LEGISLA TION. l6l ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCH SOCIETY OF COMPARATIVE LEGISLATION. I, "The Society of Comparative Legislation," — its Aim. THE Society of Comparative Legislation was founded at the beginning of the year 1869 by a group of scholars and jurists who wished to spread in France the knowledge of foreign laws and to create in Paris a scientific centre for the study of legis- lation. It received recognition as an institution of public utility by the decree of the 4th of December, 1873. Its headquarters are 44 Rue de Rennes, Paris, in the building of the Society for the Encouragement of National Industry. The Society " has for its object the study of the laws of different countries and the discovery of practical means of improving the different branches of legislation." ^ " It does not vote on any question." ^ II. Constitution of the Society. Admission into the Society is obtained through the Executive Council on nomination by a member.^ The annual assessment is twenty francs. The Society is composed of French members and foreign mem- bers. Every year the Executive Council draws up a list of for- eign correspondents, who are exempt from the payment of the assessment. The Executive Council consists of a President, elected for two years ; four Vice-Presidents and sixteen members, elected for four years ; a General Secretary, four Secretaries, an indefinite number of Assistant Secretaries, and a Treasurer, elected annually by the Council.* The Council directs the work of the Society, decides as to the admission of new members, supervises the publications, and administers the funds.^ 1 Statutes, art. 2. » Statutes, art. 5. ^ Statutes, art. 11. 2 Statutes, art. 4. * Statutes, art. 7.