St Mary’s law students acclaimed at International Crime Symposium

Undergraduate students Simmone Rodrigues and Daniella Stanley, from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, were heralded for presenting a paper at the International History of Crime Symposium on criminal law this spring.

The two final year students, accompanied by law lecturer, Mark Mackarel, focused their presentation on the events surrounding the Nuremberg Trials at the end of the Second World War. The trial was regarded as a landmark through the introduction of the principle of individual criminal responsibility to international criminal law.

The Symposium, held in March 2017 at the University of West London, saw the students face an audience of research students, academics and professionals from around the world. Amongst the delegates were faculties from the University of Rennes, the University of East Carolina and the University of North Texas.

Daniella and Simmone originally researched the topic as part of their Law LLB Programme. They braved the audience and were the only undergraduate students to deliver a presentation to the group of academics, legal practitioners and students of international criminal law.

Simmone, an international law student who moved from Zimbabwe to London four years earlier, said: “Of course I felt nervous - my body was shaking initially, but as I went on I gained confidence”

Daniella added: “We were greeted by many on our walk back to our seats afterwards which was extremely rewarding. I feel this experience has given a boost to my CV and as a result I have been accepted into the Bar Professional Training Course in September”

Jenny Henry, Programme Director for Law at St Mary’s, commented, “I am really pleased with what these students have achieved. They have overcome their fears and spoken convincingly at a conference of postgraduate students, researchers, lawyers and academics from around the world. It sounds petrifying, but just shows the confidence they have built in only a few years with us. I am so proud.”

Mark Mackarel also presented a paper at the event critiquing the defence of superior orders in international criminal law. He commented,  “It was an invigorating day which allowed staff and students to meet colleagues from around the world and exchange ideas. Our submissions have been greeted so warmly that we have been asked to attend next year’s conference in Rennes, France.”