News in 2021

Human Rights Day: How my UN work influences my teaching and helped shape careers 10 December 2021 As we mark Human Rights Day on the 10 December, we put the spotlight on the work of Professor Sir Malcolm Evans – and how a decade leading the United Nations’ efforts to prevent torture around the world has influenced his teaching and subsequently the careers of those studying human rights law at the University of Bristol Law School.
Law Clinics deliver presentation on Mental Capacity Law and Dementia to Bath and North East Somerset Dementia Support Workers 7 December 2021 Law Clinic students Alis Ugur, Isabelle Martin, and Thanchanok Srisuk recently gave a presentation to Bath and North East Somerset Dementia Support Workers on Mental Capacity Law and Dementia. They provided training and information on: the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the legal test for assessing capacity, best interests, the Court of Protection, deputies, advance decisions, LPAs and depriving individuals of their liberty.
A law conversion course with a twist - Q&A with MA student Ffion Davies 3 December 2021 Choosing your route into law can be a tough decision, with multiple options available - which is why we asked current MA Law student, Ffion Davies to give some insight on what it is like to study our two-year fast track, senior status law degree and how the in depth approach has helped her to focus her future aspirations.
Develop a deeper understanding of law - Q&A with our MA Director 26 November 2021 Dr Philippa Collins, Director of our MA in Law programme and Lecturer in Labour Law and Human Rights, spoke to us about what it is like to study at a top 10 UK Law School, its supportive learning community and why taking a two-year degree can help develop a deeper understanding of law.
A new pathway to research: Q&A with PhD student Conor Francis Macis 25 November 2021 With applications to the Wellcome Trust Scholarship scheme opening to applicants to the September 2022 intake of the University of Bristol’s groundbreaking LLM in Health, Law, and Society, we spoke to current PhD candidate Conor Francis Macis, who graduated from the LLM in 2020. In our Q&A Conor shared his reasons for choosing the LLM at Bristol despite a non-legal background, what being awarded the Wellcome Trust Scholarship meant to him, the skills he developed through the course and how the LLM influenced his current PhD path.
Wellcome Trust Scholarships for the Law School’s LLM in Health, Law, and Society 9 November 2021 Applicants to the September 2022 intake of the University of Bristol’s groundbreaking LLM in Health, Law, and Society are invited to apply to a scholarship scheme that is generously funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Law School alumna Heledd Wyn awarded Best Lawyer of the Year Award 26 October 2021 University of Bristol Law School alumna Heledd Wyn (LLB 2001), Director at GL Law and Head of the Private Client and Long-Term & Elderly Care team, was crowned ‘Best Lawyer of the Year’ in the 2021 Bristol Law Society Annual Awards, which recognise the excellence of the local legal profession. In a Q&A we caught up with Heledd about the award, the area of law she specialises in, and what a day-in-the-life of a lawyer looks like.
Learning how law and anthropology intersect - my first year as a Vice Chancellor's Fellow 20 October 2021 In this interview, Dr Ben Kasstan talks about his research as a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in the Centre for Health, Law, and Society – and how this dynamic environment combined with his background in medical anthropology prepared him to explore contemporary tensions surrounding adolescent sexual health and wellbeing. As the pandemic unfolded, the parallels between his on-going research around health policy and COVID-19 vaccination programmes also provided a platform to question the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ as unhelpful in developing effective community focused solutions.
Now Live: New Law School Research Review 'Shaping a Better World' 18 October 2021 The Law School’s latest research review, ‘Shaping a better world’ is now live and available to view. The review highlights how the School is leading the way in some of the most innovative areas of legal research –and how that research is directly informing our curriculum and courses.
University of Bristol Law School achieves Top 50 rank in the World 15 October 2021 The University of Bristol Law School has been ranked 43rd in Law in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022.
Black History Month 2021 Mission Statement 15 October 2021 Over Black History Month, which runs throughout October, the Law School has set out a mission statement to re-think – and to gather feedback about – the ways in which we address Black history, culture, experience and thought. We want to underline the intellectual value of studying Black history and engaging with Black/Africana thought, and to ensure our activities centre conversations that will be productive and enriching to our students in all aspects.
Law Clinic students shortlisted for Bristol Law Society’s Best Law Student of the Year Award 7 October 2021 Two University of Bristol Law Clinic students, Laura Meredith and Eleanor Lewis, have been jointly shortlisted for ‘Best Law Student of the Year’ within the 2021 Bristol Law Society Annual Awards Dinner, which recognises the excellence of the local legal profession.
Dr Jennifer Collins awarded Alan Turing Institute Fellowship 30 September 2021 The Law School is delighted to announce that Dr Jennifer Collins, Associate Professor in Law, has been awarded an Alan Turing Institute Fellowship, starting on 1 October 2021 for one year.
Professor Sir Malcolm Evans to give prestigious Annual Grotius Lecture 2021 24 September 2021 Sir Malcolm Evans, Professor of Public International Law and Deputy Director of the Human Rights Implementation Centre (HRIC) at the University of Bristol Law School, will be speaking at the Annual Grotius Lecture 2021 on 28 September 2021 on the topic ‘What is to become of the UN Human Rights Treaty Body system?’
Professor Joanne Conaghan elected as Fellow to The British Academy 26 July 2021 The Law School’s Professor Joanne Conaghan has been elected to The British Academy as Fellow in recognition of her outstanding contributions to social sciences.
Centre for International Law launch announcement 13 July 2021 The Law School is delighted to announce the launch of a new research centre, the Centre for International Law. The Centre brings together one of the largest and most diverse communities of international lawyers in the UK and, through the collaborative work of its members, aims to tackle some of the most pressing international challenges of our time.
Law PhD student awarded prestigious Modern Law Review Scholarship 1 July 2021 Law School PhD student Ricardo Buendia Esteban has been successful in securing a Modern Law Review Scholarship for the University of Bristol, providing financial support for the further research as part of his PhD. Ricardo Buendia Esteban told us what receiving the scholarships mean to him and his future research.
Build your knowledge, find your specialism - Q&A with our Student Recruitment Director 21 June 2021 Ahead of our virtual Undergraduate Open Week and live Q&A webinars this week, on 22, 24 and 25 June, we caught up with the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for Law, Professor David Cowan, to hear about his research and how teaching inspires him, how he would describe the Law School learning community, and his top piece of advice for new students.
University of Bristol Law School celebrates Top 10 UK Law School ranking 18 June 2021 The University of Bristol Law School has been ranked as a Top 10 Law School in the latest Complete University Guide UK Rankings 2022.
Passing the New York Bar exam: Q&A with Law School graduate Jasmine Gratton 18 June 2021 After graduating from the University of Bristol Law School with an LLB in 2020, Jasmine Gratton took the New York Bar exam, which she passed on her first try at the age of 21 earlier this year. Jasmine spoke to us about her reasons for choosing Law at Bristol, what most inspired her during her studies, and preparing for and taking the New York Bar exam.
A doorway to exceptional opportunities - Q&A with our MA Director 9 June 2021 Dr Yvette Russell, director of our MA in Law programme and senior lecturer in Law and Feminist Theory, spoke to us about what it is like to study at a top 10 UK Law School, its supportive learning community and how research informs a diverse curriculum.
Applications open for Black Solicitors Network Grassroots Programme 7 June 2021 The Law School is delighted to be working in partnership with the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) as one of the sponsors for the BSN Grassroots Programme, a unique offering designed to promote and increase equality of access to the legal profession by enhancing the employability and career prospects of Black undergraduate talent.
Celebrating law student achievements: International Internship Scholar Scheme winners 2020-21 19 May 2021 The University of Bristol Law School celebrated the achievements of its international students participating in the International Internship Scholar Scheme of the academic year in a virtual Prize Giving Ceremony.
Centre for Law and History Research Publication: 'Women in the Medieval Common Law' 18 May 2021 A new book by Professor of Legal History Gwen Seabourne, 'Women in the Medieval Common Law', published by Routledge, argues for re-examination of some previous conclusions on the relationship between women and the common law.
Omar Madhloom appointed co-Chair of the Bristol Pro Bono Group 27 April 2021 Omar Madhloom, Senior Lecturer in the University of Bristol Law School, supervisor at the Law School’s Law Clinic, and practising solicitor, has been appointed Chair of the Bristol Pro Bono Group together with Rachel Lobley (Simmons & Simmons LLP).
Addressing the Challenges of Fraud in a Pandemic 26 April 2021 The Law School's Dr Jennifer Collins has been awarded £39,410 to fund a new research project, 'Fraud During a Pandemic: Identifying and Appraising New Challenges for the Criminal Justice Response in England and Wales'
World Health Day: Find out how you can help shape a post-COVID world 8 April 2021 COVID-19 and its consequences have highlighted longstanding concerns regarding health and justice: how social, political, and legal structures mean some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others. Preventable and unfair health disparities, and the roles for law and policy in responding to them, are at the heart of our distinctive LLM in Health, Law, and Society.
Tips for revision success – building a healthy study routine 30 March 2021 In preparation for the upcoming assessment period, final year MA Law student, Jacob Simpson has provided his tips for success when it comes to revision. He outlines how to create a healthy routine, break down revision notes and to ensure well deserved breaks are included. Read on to find out more.
Law School and Irwin Mitchell Family Law Team join forces for ground-breaking LGBT+ legal project 15 February 2021 The University of Bristol, in partnership with leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell’s Family Law team, will be working on a campaign to increase resources and support for LGBT+ clients in the family justice system. The Law School’s Dr Peter Dunne will be Primary Investigator for the project.
Law Clinic hosts virtual international workshop 12 February 2021 On 29 January 2021, the Law Clinic hosted its first international virtual law clinic student workshop, bringing together students from different law clinics across the world to share ideas relating to pro bono, legal ethics and clinical legal education.
Law School announces new membership with the Black Solicitors Network 10 February 2021 The Law School is pleased to announce it is now a member of the Black Solicitors Network (BSN), aiming to increase the accessibility of events, opportunities and mentoring offered by the BSN to the black and minority ethnic student community.
Law School announces new pro bono opportunities for Law students through the Freedom Law Clinic 8 February 2021 The Law School is excited to announce that it has partnered up with the Freedom Law Clinic to offer University of Bristol law students the opportunity to work on a unique criminal law pro bono project for a period of six weeks this academic year.
Professor Emma Hitchings to lead large-scale study of financial arrangements on divorce 1 February 2021 The Law School’s Professor Emma Hitchings will be leading ‘Fair Shares’, a large-scale study of financial arrangements on divorce. The research project will provide essential data to inform debates on legal reform and guidance for legal advisers and support providers to ensure the financial needs of families can be better met in the future.
Professor Judy Laing secures parliamentary fellowship to help brief MPs on mental health law reform 15 January 2021 The Law School’s Professor of Mental Health Law, Rights and Policy, Judy Laing, has secured a parliamentary academic fellowship to work with the House of Commons’ Library to provide expertise in mental health law.