Extracurricular Opportunities for Undergraduate Students 2021 2022 - law.qmul.ac.uk
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Extracurricular Opportunities for Undergraduate Students 2021 – 2022 law.qmul.ac.uk
Contents
Title 01
Title 01
Title 01
Title 01
Title 01
Title 01
Title 01
Welcome 5
Part A: what we offer 6
Law careers support 7
Central careers support 9
Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre 11
Student societies 13
The George Hinde Moot and the Plea 16
in Mitigation Competition
Student prizes and awards 18
Part B: targeting skills and competencies 22
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qmul.ac.uk 33
Contents
Welcome The Queen Mary Law
Department is dedicated to
providing you with a range
of innovative, exciting and
enjoyable ways to enhance your
skills, improve your prospects
of employment, and develop
We encourage our students to
acknowledge the importance
of gaining experience in good
time, and to start engaging
with opportunities from the
beginning of their first year
with us.
your CV. We include many of
University is a time to grow,
these methods in our innovative
develop confidence and
optional modules on our
also have fun. Many of these
undergraduate programme.
activities provide wonderful
We recognise, however, that our
opportunities to develop
students have a diverse range of
life-long friendships, build
interests and career aspirations.
communities and inspire career
Some wish to practise as a
choices. Activities are supported
barrister or solicitor; others
by a talented pool of our staff
in alternative legal roles. We
committed to providing you
also recognise that some of
with the best all-rounded
Professor Penny Green our students do not want to
Professor of Law educational experience.
work in law at all but will move
and Globalisation
Head of the Department into the charitable, human To help you navigate all the
rights or government sectors. opportunities we have compiled
Others may wish to develop a this two-part brochure, which
career in academia. As such, covers:
we have devised a broad and a. what we offer, and
wide-ranging programme of
b. targeting certain skills and
extracurricular activities both
competencies.
within our Law Department,
and with the central university I hope you are able to take part
careers team, so there will be in as many of these activities
opportunities to suit all paths. as possible during your time at
Queen Mary, and embrace the
We also know the importance
rich culture our Law Department
of extracurricular activities
offers both inside and outside
in supporting diversity and
your academic studies.
inclusion, and in providing
opportunities for all to learn Professor Penny Green
and gain valuable experience. Head of Department,
School of Law
4 law.qmul.ac.uk
qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 5
Part A: what we offer Law careers support
There are a number of roles open to our
Law graduates and many choose to apply Law firms and chambers we have
Queen Mary University of London is ranked in the top 20 for engaged with include:
their degree knowledge directly by taking up
universities targeted by employers. A degree from the School legal positions, such as a barrister, solicitor, • 3 Temple Gardens
of Law provides you with a wide range of transferable skills, paralegal and legal adviser. Others decide to • 25 Bedford Row
making you very attractive to potential employers. apply their skills to other sectors, including
• Baker McKenzie
public administration and business.
• Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
As a Law Department student, you will have
access to a bespoke careers programme • Covington & Burling LLP
which includes: • Herbert Smith Freehills
• one-to-one appointments and interview • Hogan Lovells
practice with a dedicated Law Careers • Latham & Watkins LLP
Consultant or School of Law Peer Career
Coach; • Reed Smith LLP
• Slaughter and May
• workshops and events to help you
explore your career options, train you • Travers Smith LLP
in recruitment and selection methods
and provide you with networking There is an annual Law Fair, which will take
opportunities; and place virtually between 16:00 – 20:00 on
• opportunities to apply for Queen Mary Wednesday 13 October 2021, where you will
and external mentoring schemes for the have the chance to meet solicitors’ firms and
chance to be mentored by practising barristers’ chambers; and learn more about
I am extremely grateful for the wide solicitors and barristers. work experience, graduate training and
range of opportunities the School of pupillage opportunities.
Law and the numerous student societies
have offered me. As someone who has
not decided on a specific career path
yet, and was curious to explore as much
as possible, at Queen Mary I could
always find activities that challenged I am writing to let you know that I am now
me and suited my ambitions and a Campus Ambassador for Herbert Smith
various interests, and, most importantly, Freehills! At interview, I answered two
supportive people willing to help me competency-based questions the way you
exploit my full potential.” taught me. It would not have been possible
without your help.”
Andra Tofan Eva Burkhart
undergraduate Law student undergraduate Law student
6 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 7
Central careers support
QTaster: gain first-hand insight into QTemps: a unique opportunity for Queen
Essential websites for information about different sectors, working environments and Mary students to gain meaningful work
the legal sector roles across a range of graduate employers. experience and improve their employability
www.lawcareers.net - news, advice and You will learn about the day-to-day culture skills alongside earning money. The roles
profiles of firms and vacancies for those of different companies, their internship and are either based on campus or in the local
considering law careers as solicitors or graduate application processes and e-meet area and span a wide range of sectors and
barristers their employees. A great way to explore industries.
your career options and help you make
www.chambersstudent.co.uk - great EAST: EAST is the Queen Mary student
more informed decisions.
companion to ‘Law Careers’ with articles on career journey, and is designed to help you
becoming a lawyer in different practice areas The Student Consultancy Project: prepare for life after graduation, whether
in the UK and abroad an employability programme that places that be work, study, or launching an
Queen Mary students into mini consultancy enterprise. EAST consists of four stages:
www.barcouncil.org.uk/careers - a wealth projects in London-based businesses and Explore career options, Acquire experience,
for information for aspiring barristers charities. This provides you with a chance Show your skills and experience and
www.thelawyer.com/lawyer2b - wide range to develop your professional skills, CV and Tell your stories. Visit the Careers and
of advice and insight into the legal profession networks by working on a real-life business Enterprise website for more information:
for anyone interested in a career in law project in a multidisciplinary team. www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/east
Remember to regularly check QMplus
for law specific career resources
qmplus.qmul.ac.uk/course/view.
php?id=8832
You can book a one-to-one careers QTaster gave me the tools and knowledge
Look out for our appointment or practice interview by to tackle commercial awareness
weekly law careers newsletter, contacting the central Careers and discussions, which is crucial nowadays to
which features information on Enterprise Team on 020 7882 8533 or be employable. It has also confirmed the
upcoming career events both on emailing careers@qmul.ac.uk. areas I would like to work in the future.”
and off campus, work experience All undergraduate law career events are Department of Law
opportunities and useful published on the Queen Mary careers QTaster participant
resources to help you develop website (www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/
your employability skills events) and have UG Law in the title.
and get career ready. Events can also be found in the events
section on QM Careers Hub.
8 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 9
The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre
QMentoring: receive one-to-one mentoring Enterprise support: the Enterprise I’ve massively enjoyed my last three years at the LAC. I’m really
and careers support with a member of the team are dedicated to supporting grateful that I was chosen to be a part of the team. I just want to
Queen Mary alumni community or a UK- entrepreneurship at Queen Mary. They thank the whole team, past and present, for making me feel so
based professional. This programme can offer funding opportunities, exciting welcomed and supported. Hopefully, I can come back to the LAC
help you to gain insight into an industry programmes and events and one-to- one one day as a supervisor!”
or profession; build your professional appointments to support you in bringing
network; acquire skills to improve your your business idea to life. Abisola Bishi
chances within the application process QMLAC Student Adviser
Visit www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs-and-
and find out about and apply for work
experience/ to see the full list of extra-
experience opportunities. Students who are
curricular opportunities.
in receipt of the Queen Mary Bursary will
be prioritised for this programme and it is There are a wide range of employer
open to students from any undergraduate engagement events run throughout the
year group. year by the central careers team for those
of you interested in exploring non-legal
careers. These include sectors such as
education, business and finance, media
and not-for-profit. These are published on
85% of mentees the Queen Mary careers website:
agreed they felt more (www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/events) and
confident about their career can be found in the events section on
Target Connect.
development as a result of
QMentoring. You can also find a range of career
resources, information and advice on the
Queen Mary careers website
www.careers.qmul.ac.uk
Follow the Queen Mary Careers &
Enterprise team on
@qmcareers
@qmcareers
QMUL Careers and Enterprise
(@qmcareers)
10 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 11
Student
The LAC was one of the reasons Queen Mary appealed societies
so much to me as a law school, and I was not disappointed at all
once I got involved with it. In fact, it ended up being one of my Students are actively encouraged to help
favourite things about coming to university. If I had to choose one shape the culture of our extracurricular
thing, what I enjoyed most about being in the LAC is the fulfilment activities by forming and running student
of knowing I am helping another person when they are at their societies. Student societies run events,
most vulnerable and have nowhere else to turn.” undertake student competitions and
promote extracurricular activities. There are
Matilde Antunes some Queen Mary-wide societies registered
QMLAC Student Adviser with the Student Union which you can join
(www.qmsu.org/clubs-socs/find/), and
Queen Mary University of London is a leader supervise students. This gives students a there are others more specific to Law
in the field of Clinical Legal Education. valuable opportunity to work side-by-side (www.qmul.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/ Queen Mary Criminal Justice Society
In 2019 we were recognised for our with lawyers from the City of London. student-societies/). Societies form when QMCJS is for all students who have a general
‘Outstanding Contribution to Pro Bono’ in our students have a particular interest in a interest in criminal justice. The society aims to
In addition to our client appointments, the
the LawWorks and Attorney General Student topic or area. For the coming year 2020/21, educate people on prominent issues within
Centre offers a diverse range of student
Pro Bono Awards. In 2020 the Centre was we have the following student societies; the CJS and in addition to career and social
activities which include advocacy at
awarded a national award for Collaborative events, we also provide a space for students
tribunals, delivering workshops in prisons Alternative Dispute Resolution
Teaching Excellence by Advance HE. Our to be open and expressive, whilst being
and writing legal blogs. (ADR) Society
Legal Advice Centre was formed in 2006 and challenged to think outside the box.
Gain exposure to and greater knowledge
engaged 330+ students a year in its activities. For more information on our legal advice
of alternative means of dispute resolution,
Its work is in two streams: and community projects, please see our European Law Students’ Association
with a particular focus on arbitration.
1) As a community Legal Advice Centre we website: www.lac.qmul.ac.uk. (ELSA) at Queen Mary University of
Improve your negotiation skills, network
invite over 350 clients per year to come into We publish our annual report each summer London
with well-renowned arbitrators, and start
the Centre for an appointment, and receive here: www.lac.qmul.ac.uk/about/annual- ELSA QMUL is the local group of ELSA
working on your commercial career today.
written advice from our Student Advisers reports for students at Queen Mary University
afterwards. We provide advice in many areas The QMLAC advertises opportunities to first- Queen Mary Bar Society of London. ELSA inspires and connects
including family law, social welfare benefits, year students during Welcome Week and Find out about life at the bar as a barrister, law students locally, nationally and
landlord and tenant and employment issues. student places for second and final-year including the application process, the areas internationally through social, academic, and
2) Through engaging in a variety of students are advertised by email and on of practice and the practical realities of work professional opportunities.
community projects aimed at boosting QM Plus in February or March for the and finance.
public legal literacy. An example is our SPITE following year. If you have any questions Law and Business Society (LaBS)
for Schools project, where teams of students about the QMLAC, please don’t hesitate to Queen Mary Commercial Awareness Fully affiliated with The School of Law and The
design bespoke workshops for secondary get in touch at lac@qmul.ac.uk. Society (QMCAS) School of Business Management, this Society
school students on the illegality of image- Commercial awareness is a vital skill not just provides events and forums of discussions on
based sexual abuse. Follow the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre on for lawyers, but for a wide range of other the intersections between law, business, and
careers. This Society explores what that their interplay in other fields.
The Centre has a staffing team of seven @qmlac means and how to develop it.
(which includes two practising lawyers) and
engages over 120 volunteer lawyers to help facebook.com/QMLAC
12 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 13
Queen Mary Law Society (QMLS) Open Law Society Queen Mary Student Advancement Society
QMLS exists to represent all students seeking The Society supports both law students and QMSAS aims to propel students to their full
a career in the legal sector. Throughout the non-law students and introduces them to potential by helping them garner essential
year, the society offers a multitude of events, ‘niche’ areas of law. Its main objective is to skills, many of which fall outside the scope
opportunities, and access points for students ensure equal access and support in future of traditional academia. These skills include
at any academic level to gain exposure to all career prospects. networking, argumentation techniques,
possible legal careers – from working for a City negotiation, public speaking, and many more.
firm to being part of an in-house legal team. Queen Mary Pro Bono Society (QMPBS) We aim to achieve this by hosting workshops,
QMPBS’s primary focus is to increase access panel discussions, interviews, and other
Lawyers without Borders (Student to justice and an understanding of the law events centred around what it takes to be
Division at Queen Mary University itself in a vast array of areas by engaging successful, whether in business, law, or other
of London) members in placements, volunteering, sectors.
Part of the wider network of the Lawyers fundraising, diversity initiatives, and
without Borders international NGO, this networking opportunities.
society is dedicated to advancing access to The InterLaw Council
justice, human rights and the Rule of Law Our Student Societies formed the Interlaw
Senior Status Society Council in 2019. It is a collaborative initiative
through raising awareness and promoting
Geared towards students on the Senior which represents a joint endeavour to
pro bono activities.
Status LLB programme, the Society’s aim is maximise the efficiency of society-organised
to support their members both socially and events through partnership and cooperation.
Queen Mary Legal Innovation Society
academically throughout their time at Queen The InterLaw Council operates on behalf
(QMLIS)
Mary. Many of their members are international of School of Law affiliated and other legal
Learn about the innovative and dynamic
and have different career objectives from societies operating within Queen Mary.
legal technology sector and receive valuable
other law students at Queen Mary, so they
insights from members of the profession at
organise some events tailored to those needs.
our events.
Queen Mary Mooting Society Queen Mary Interdisciplinary Legal Society
A society dedicated to supporting students The Queen Mary Interdisciplinary Legal
in developing the long-established skill of Society is aimed to educate our members
mooting, which is the verbal presentation of about the ways in which law is linked to
a legal issue or problem. Mooting is designed numerous disciplines like science, medicine, The InterLaw Council has been one of the
psychology, etc. It aims to bring together Our student societies are supported
to give students the closest experience to most successful initiatives ELSA QMUL
those who are interested in understanding by our careers team which provides
appearing in court. engaged with this year. It has promoted
and debating the socio-legal elements of annual training to help them operate as
a spirit of collaboration between law
our society. We want to widen our members’ effectively as possible. Topics explored
societies and has helped us further
knowledge of these correlations, and for include;
improve students’ experiences. We now
everyone to participate and create a network speak in one voice and I look forward to • communicating effectively,
of multidisciplinary relationships seeing future generations of societies’
• writing funding bids,
executives relying on the strength and
opportunities the Council has to offer.” • marketing a society, and
Member of the European Law Students’
• managing stakeholder relationships.
Association (ELSA) at Queen Mary
University of London
14 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 15
The George Hinde Moot and the
Plea in Mitigation Competition Queen Mary Law School has a proud culture • The Queen Mary team won 1st
and history of mooting. This year, students place at the Conflict Prevention and
The George Hinde Moot have had incredible mooting success. Resolution International Mediation
The Queen Mary Plea In Mitigation
There is a rich culture of advocacy and • In January 2021 two LLB students, Competition in March 2021. Well done
Competition
mooting at Queen Mary, both internally and Joseph Toft and Joseph Hilditch won to Jessical Sblendorio (LLM student)
While a moot is focused on law, a plea in
externally. The highlight of the calendar the Essex Court Chambers English and Andra Tofan (LLB Student). Parnian
mitigation is focused on facts. This piece of
is the prestigious year-long mooting Speaking Union National Mooting Mohammadi (LLB student) also won the
advocacy is the final speech delivered by a
competition named after a much-loved Competition. This was the 5th win “Best Mediator” prize.”
defence advocate before a criminal
professor, George Hinde. This culminated for Queen Mary in this prestigious • In July 2021 Rojae Brown, Mara Ionita
defendant is sentenced, pleading leniency.
with its final being held in spring each year competition. The prize was both a and Basanti Mardemootoo won the
Students are trained in the practice of how a
in front of an audience of students and staff financial award and a mini pupillage for Nuremberg Moot Court Competition
court determines a criminal sentence, and
from the Department. Over the last three each student! 2021.
the art of persuasive advocacy.
years we have welcomed some of the best
legal minds in London to judge the final: Once students have received case papers,
they work out the likely sentence and pitch The Commercial Negotiations original and not be under consideration for
Lord Philip, Lord Mance and Lord Hoffmann.
their submissions to the court on a range Competition publication elsewhere. We accept both long
Students receive training before the of facts to try and obtain the best sentence Each year, three of our student societies (the and short form articles, case or legislation
competition and many practising barristers possible for the client. ADR Society, ELSA and the Law and Business notes, and book reviews. We are especially
and solicitors assist with judging in the Society) run a commercial negotiations keen on articles that are interdisciplinary
initial rounds. Each year the school welcomes numerous
competition which undergraduate law and and place law in its many contexts including
barristers and solicitors to assist with the
The two students running the competition non-law students can enter. The competition historical, cultural, technological, economic,
judging and the final takes place in a court
(known as the Moot Master and Moot Mistress) room at the Central London County Court. allows students to increase their commercial transnational, and global. You can find advice
advertise how to apply at the beginning of awareness and negotiation skills. on publishing adapted student work and
The winner is offered a Marshalling
each academic year – look out for the email. Placement with HHJ Baucher and HHJ Reed Smith Business Skills Programme our style guidelines at https://www.qmul.
Look out for other moots organised by the Freeland QC at the Central London County Each year Reed Smith LLP run a four-part ac.uk/law/research/journals/qmlj/. If you
student societies Court. series of business skills covering the are interested in submitting an article, please
essential skills for professional life. These contact QMLJ-submissions@qmul.ac.uk
The Queen Mary Plea in Mitigation and keep an eye out for our annual call for
are sessions that help students to manage
Competition is advertised to students each papers via our Twitter account:
themselves, their work, their relationships
year in late September or early October via @QMlawjournal.
and their communication skills. Students
email and QM Plus.
work with professionals from Reed Smith
There are lots more internal and external LLP to understand how to prepare properly for
advocacy opportunities and competitions professional life. These are not specific to legal
that are run by our student societies. practice and can be used in all future careers.
The Queen Mary Law Journal
The Queen Mary Law Journal is an The
Queen Mary Law Journal is a generalist,
peer-reviewed, online and open-access
periodical, aiming to publish high-quality
legal scholarship. Submissions should be
16 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 17
Student prizes and awards Awards for second-year students
- The Sweet & Maxwell Prize for the best
Re-ImagineLAW – a Queen Mary-
sponsored legal careers podcast
overall second-year student Queen Mary is at the
- The Sullivan & Cromwell Prize for best cutting edge of innovative
contribution to the Law School by a legal education and
second- year student careers advice thanks
to our careers service,
Awards for final-year students
Queen Mary Legal Advice
- The Roy Goode Prize for Best Final-Year
Centre, Law in Practice Degree Programme,
Student
Student Societies and other intiatiaves.
- Roger Crane Medal for finalist showing Queen Mary have partnered with two
academic performance and contribution prestigious organisations; MyKindaFuture and
to the life of the Law School Jarred Consulting to compile a student
- Outstanding Contribution to the Queen focused legal education and careers podcast.
Mary Legal Advice Centre (final-year However busy your schedule is, tune in on the
student) move to hear thought provoking discussions
- Outstanding Contribution to a Student- on current trends in legal education and
Led Activity (final-year student) student development to help empower you
- Outstanding Personal Development to develop your employability journey.
Throughout a Law Programme (final- For more information see: https://www.
year student) re-imaginelaw.org.uk/. Follow the podcast
Many of our prizes are sponsored on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
by law firms and chambers! The Buddy Scheme
Each year the Department asks progressing
Queen Mary Law School has lots students to act as Buddies for incoming first
of scholarships for Undergraduate year students. They can provide guidance,
students. See our website for the full advice and support to first-year students as
list: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/law/ a mentor during their first semester.
undergraduate/bursaries/
Each year, the students who Students in all years are eligible
- Outstanding Advocate and
get the highest marks in Communicator of the Year
individual modules are - The ‘Writing for the Future’ Award
recognised by the Law - Outstanding Research and Analysis
Department. Many of awards - The Law Student Award for Outstanding
are sponsored by law Commercial Awareness
prestigious law firms and - The Law Student Award for Creative
Legal Innovation
chambers. In addition to these
Awards for first-year students
module awards, there are other - The Dechert Prize for best overall first-
prizes awarded to students: year student
18 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 19Widening Participation Initiatives Access to the Bar Award Lawyers Volunteering for the Arts Did you know you can be a Law
Our Law School is committed to striving The Honourable Society of the Middle Lawyers Volunteering for the Arts (LVFA) Student Ambassador?
for students from all backgrounds to have Temple currently offers paid placements began life in 2010 when a small group of Becoming a Law Student Ambassador can
opportunities to enter the profession. As (which include one week in a set of interested law firms formed a working be a deeply rewarding experience, both
such, we offer some specific partnerships to barristers’ chambers and one week of group to try and address the legal needs personally and professionally, in a fun and
assist with this. judicial marshalling) to university students. of low- income arts organisations across familiar setting with fellow students. Work
The purpose of these awards is to encourage England and Wales. This scholarship flexibly around your studies, broaden your
The Career Focus Partnership
able students from disadvantaged and/ will enable a Queen Mary law student to CV and improve your communication and
Each year, City law firm Fieldfisher offer
or underrepresented backgrounds with support the LVFA initiative whilst gaining leadership skills by assisting staff in a range
offer first-year law students on a three or
the potential to be successful barristers practical experience of the pro bono advice of paid activities, such as:
four-year LLB from underrepresented ethnic
to make a more informed choice about a sector and financial support.
backgrounds the opportunity to take part • helping to deliver our Pathways to
career at the Bar. The award winners will
in the Career Focus Partnership scheme. The recipient of the LVFA scholarship will Law programme, which offers an
gain experience of what a career at the Bar
The scheme includes skills sessions, year- be awarded £1,550, paid in two instalments introduction to the profession for local
involves. They will get to know practitioners
long mentoring, and a short internship. of£775. In return for the scholarship, the year 12 and 13 students from
and judges and have the opportunity to
Successful completion of the internship will recipient will be expected to support the disadvantaged backgrounds,
ask for informal advice. This initiative is in
guarantee you a spot in the firm’s vacation initiative’s pro bono email referral scheme. • representing the School of Law at
line with public policy that there should be
scheme assessment centre. The recipient of the LVFA Scholarship will recruitment events and improving
greater diversity at the Bar.
undertake three hours of work per week your presentation skills by sharing your
Fourteen students have participated
over 48 weeks, around their study and work experiences with prospective students,
in internships with Fieldfisher and
commitments.
two have gone on to secure training • welcoming new students during Welcome
contracts, both through this scheme, so Information on the award scheme will More information can be found here: Week, and
we know that it is extremely beneficial to become available here: www.qmul.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/ • giving tours of the campus.
our students. www.qmul.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/ bursaries/lvfa-scholarship
Applications will open in the second widening-participation/current-
semester (January or February). We hold students/
Climate Action Group
a drop-in session with representatives Don’t forget to look online to see what
from the firm who give students more Queen Mary Scholarships and Bursaries you The Department of Law’s Climate
information on how to apply for this might be able to apply for: Emergency Declaration has led to
fantastic opportunity. www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/ a Climate Action Group made up of
feesandfunding/find-a-scholarship/ students and staff. Look out for emails
www.qmul.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/
advertising how you can apply to be part
widening-participation/current-
of the Group and get involved in other
students/career- focus-partnership/
climate change initiatives.
20 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 21Part B: targeting skills
We recognise that our students might Inner Temple Library:
have specific skills that they are looking to www.innertemplelibrary.com/
and competencies
improve. Seven regularly cited skills which Sign up to receive their free daily blog on
are valuable for law students are: legal news.
✓ commercial awareness,
QMLAC blog: a project for first-year
✓ attention to detail,
students focused on providing current news
✓ people skills, stories from the fields of business, arts and
✓ communication, culture, as well as access to justice matters.
✓ research and analysis, All articles are written in an easy-to-digest
I believe that one can format, published on the LAC website
✓ creative problem solving, and
always improve.” www.lac.qmul.ac.uk/our-legal-blog/ and
✓ working under pressure. posted on the LAC social media accounts.
Student working on the
Blog Project at the Queen (Prospects Website accessed 20.05.2021 The Law Department has a wide range of
Mary Legal Advice Centre www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work- subscriptions to law databases, many of
experience/job-sectors/law-sector/7- these do a daily digest on the law and are
skills-for-a-successful-law-career ) used by lawyers in practice.
We have listed our activities below and Our subscriptions include; Practical Law,
other useful external organisations, Westlaw, LexisNexis and The Lawyer.
websites and resources that might Explore the Queen Mary Library website for
interest our students who want to develop a full list.
these skills.
Commercial Awareness
Commercial awareness is much broader
than it might first appear and does
not just relate to commercial law. It
involves an ability to stay up-to-date with
developments within the practice area Keep up to date with business news
(relevant to legal careers) or wider sector and current affairs in general through
or industry you are interested in. Investing websites like the BBC www.bbc.
time in developing your commercial co.uk/news/business, following
awareness will help you gain knowledge of reputable media outlets like The
how specific companies you are interested Economist and the Financial Times
in operate (such as their structure, on social media and by looking at
functions, vision and mission), what the key the news and media sections for
priorities are for their industry, and recent individual organisations you may
developments that may impact their work. want to work for.
In addition to joining the Queen Mary www.lexology.com is also a
Commercial Awareness Society, there are a comprehensive source of
number of resources available to help you international legal updates, analysis
develop this crucial skill. and insights.
22 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 23Attention to detail People skills Communication
This is the ability to ensure accuracy in all Dealing with others is a difficult skill that we Communication can come in many forms, Here are some examples of annual
you do and spot information that others can help you to develop. Our students work such as what you say, what you write and essay competitions:
may overlook. Both legal and non-legal in teams through our Student Societies, and your body language. Mooting is a fun way The Bar Council Law Reform Essay
roles are looking for future employees who in numerous community-based projects at to develop your presentation and verbal Competition
have this skill. the Legal Advice Centre. communication skills and you can take part www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-
in mooting competitions run on campus barrister/students-and-graduates/
These are all skills you can pick up simply At the Legal Advice Centre, students run
by the Queen Mary Mooting Society, as well law-reform-essay-competition
from reading additional books or articles client appointments, work in teams to
as a number of external ones. Becoming
outside of a module syllabus. You can deliver workshops to prisoners and school One Essex Court Times Law Award
a Campus Ambassador for a law firm
also take part in skills workshops run by students, and represent clients in welfare www.oeclaw.co.uk/times-law-
is also a great way to strengthen your
law firms and organisations like Aspiring benefits tribunals. All these activities help to awards
communication skills.
Solicitors and Bright Network. build interaction skills.
Entering essay writing competitions, writing
You can develop direct legal experience Other ways to develop your people skills
for a university magazine or even running
across various areas of law and improve is through volunteering (eg at a Citizens
your own blog are can also help to improve
your attention to detail skills through Advice Bureau) and taking part in pro bono
your written communication skills.
activities like document reviews, drafting activities provided by the Queen Mary
contracts and translating legal documents. Lawyers without Borders Society.
Don’t forget that Student Societies and
the Department of Law host many events
throughout the term. Look out for more
details in the regular UG Law Careers and
Did you know that LEGAL newsletters.
there is an online platform Did you know that
called Flex Legal which the Queen Mary Legal Advice
connects law students with Centre has a project where
private practices and in-house students can represent clients
legal teams for paralegal roles? at the Social Welfare Benefits
To find out more, visit: Tribunal?
flex.legal
24 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 25Research and analysis Creative problem solving Working under pressure
As a law student, you will learn to read Being a lawyer often involves a lot of This is something that you will be expected
vast amounts of information, absorb facts, problem solving, whether this is in a to be able to do in legal and non-legal
scrutinise material carefully and condense commercial setting or a social justice roles. This involves being able to turn
it into something that can be presented setting (individuals rarely spot legal issues, around large amounts of work under tight
clearly to others. but have life events that need solving). For deadlines, while staying calm and focused.
example, working with clients at the Queen You may want to undertake a specific
The key is being able to identify what is
Mary Legal Advice Centre often requires activity to develop this skill, or perhaps
relevant out of the mass of information and
students to research areas of law which are being involved in multiple projects means
explain it concisely. Research and analysis
unknown to them and think of practical you are working under pressure.
are two skills you will develop throughout
and legal solutions that run alongside each
your degree, but there are lots of other ways In the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre
other to help the client.
to build these skills. students deliver legal advice to a
Additionally, taking part in a Student professional standard for clients within a
Mooting can help to develop these skills as
Consultancy Project run by the Queen Mary set timeframe. They have to abide by the
you will be required to do the background
careers service will develop these skills, as professional codes of practice that govern
work on a legal issue or problem, then
you work alongside others to come up with barristers and solicitors. This is a great way
orally present it in a mock hearing. Joining
creative solutions to problems presented by for students to develop their ability to work
a society as part of the executive team
businesses and charities. under pressure.
(especially if you are responsible for
overseeing events and marketing) will also Problem solving can also be developed in
help you develop these skills. less formal ways – for example, developing
and structuring a student society, or
working in a team to resolve an issue.
Every year, LexisNexis runs a Student The thing I enjoyed the most as a The Legal Advice Centre has been the
Associate programme where you act Student Adviser was the client interview. most educational, rewarding and
as a representative on campus for It taught me how it is to be working challenging part of my legal education.”
their online services, advising and with people. Sometimes it proved
Elizabeth Andrewartha,
supporting your fellow students with challenging, while other times it went
QMLAC Graduate
their legal research. You can find out smoothly and the people I've talked to
more about this role on their website were amazing”.
https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/ Ilinca Maria Cojocaru Uleia,
academic-law/students QMLAC Student Adviser
26 law.qmul.ac.uk law.qmul.ac.uk 27School of Law
327 Mile End Road
London
E1 4NS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936
email: lawugoffice@qmul.ac.uk
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