The CLSA is a group of scholars from many disciplines who are interested in the place of law in social, political, economic and cultural life. CLSA members bring training in law, history, sociology, political science, criminology, psychology, anthropology, and economics as well as in other related areas of socio-legal inquiry.

Among its activities, the CLSA publishes the Canadian Journal of Law & Society, sponsors an annual conference and graduate student workshop, awards prizes for socio-legal scholarship, and generally works to encourage socio-legal inquiry in Canada and internationally.