St Mary's Law Students Learn from the Best at Prestigious London Events

Easter Term has begun with a packed programme of events for law students at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Events included: attending the international mooting competition at Gray’s Inn to observe the UK final; visiting to Lloyd’s of London in the City; receiving a guest lecture from John Lee-Charles, Head of Litigation Division B, for the Government Legal Department, part of the Government Legal Service. Lecturer Lloyd Gash, who also runs the St Mary’s Law Programmes Commercial Awareness Seminar Series, commented, “Our students have told us how beneficial immersing themselves in the legal environment is to understanding the opportunities and challenges of a career in law first hand. “In the last month, our students have been able to see exceptional organisations, top-level mooting and listen to a leading expert in litigation – allowing them to observe and learn from the very best.” On Sunday 26^th February, students attended the Jessup Cup International mooting competition at Gray’s Inn, London, to observe the final of the UK round featuring teams from Kings College and UCL. St Mary’s students were there to observe at the invitation of Edward Phillips, Principal Lecturer at the University of Greenwich and National Administrator for Jessup UK, who has also kindly agreed to attend the forthcoming St Mary’s student mooting competition on Monday 20^th March 2017 to appear as guest judge. On Wednesday 22^nd February 2017, students were also taken on a guided tour of the famous Lloyd’s of London building in Lime Street. The group included final year students taking Insurance Law as a module that is offered as an elective subject for LLB Law and Business Law students. As Lloyd’s of London is the most valuable and prestigious insurance marketplace in the world, the trip served as a unique opportunity for students to see the trading floor and the mechanics of complex risk underwriting, bringing to life what is studied in class. Students who have attended the Law Programme’s weekly Commercial Awareness Seminar Series were also given the opportunity to learn about the history and function of the Lloyd’s of London marketplace. Lloyd Gash commented,“Lloyd’s of London is of such importance in the City, the UK and globally, and we are very grateful to our host, James Bromiley-Davies, for taking the time to share his wealth of knowledge with us.” John Lee-Charles, Head of Litigation Division B, Government Legal Department, delivered a guest lecture to St Mary’s first year LLB Law, BA/BSc Business Law, and LLB Law with Criminology students on Friday 17th February. He spoke to students about his route into the legal profession as a barrister, and the type of work undertaken in his role as Head of Litigation in the context of the Legal Process and Introduction to the Practice of Law module, on which students study the legal profession and issues relating to the delivery of legal services and professional ethics. Law Lecturer Lloyd Gash added, “It was fantastic for our students to hear about Lee’s professional practice, and the work his department undertake which is of such national importance. Lee was very generous in giving up his time to come and share his experiences with us, students benefitted not only from hearing about such work, but about pathways into the Government Legal Services as a careers option.”