Over the past year, 35 Year 12 students from 22 different schools have enjoyed a fantastic insight into practical and academic aspects of law by taking part in the first year of the Pathways to Law programme co-organised by Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University and the School of Law, University of Nottingham. Now, another cohort set of Year 12 students have begun their Pathways programme with a welcome meal, before beginning their two-year exploration of the legal profession and the possibilities of studying law at University.
The Pathways to Law Project is intended to encourage students from groups traditionally under-represented in the legal profession to study law at university and to enter legal practice. Over the programme both cohorts will be undertaking an exciting series of activities intended to inspire and motivate the participants. The participating students, who are based throughout the East Midlands, have been, or will be, taking part in activities designed to allow them to experience life both as a law student and as a lawyer. They have worked with leading academics and participated in advocacy, negotiation and interviewing exercises, and have had the opportunity to investigate a “real life” crime scene.
Participants also undertake a placement with a legal practitioner, and attend a national conference with Pathways to Law participants from throughout the UK. The placement opportunities are generously provided by the courts in Nottingham and Derby as well as by firms of solicitors and barristers’ chambers across the East Midlands. The Year 13 participants will enjoy a trip to Legal London to visit the Middle Temple and discover more about a career as a barrister.
At their induction event, the new cohort of students enjoyed presentations about the forthcoming programme. They were also entertained by the speech given by Alex Rae, a former government legal advisor. Students participated in getting to know you sessions facilitated by students from both Nottingham University and Nottingham Law School.
Richard Hyde, Assistant Professor of Law and University of Nottingham Academic Lead for Pathways, said “the Pathways to Law project has been a great success. Both the Universities and the students involved can be rightly proud of their accomplishments on the first year of the programme. We are happy to be helping the next generation of lawyers. We look forward to working with these students during their second year on the programme, and are glad to have welcomed our new cohort, and hope they will enjoy the exciting series of activities that we have lined up for them.”
A Pathways participant said “I have really enjoyed the first year of pathways. I was interested in the law before, but now I really want to study it at University and to enjoy a legal career. Although I have enjoyed all the activities, my favourite part of the programme was my placement – having the opportunity to experience a real life case was both exciting and enlightening. I am looking forward to the rest of the programme.”
The Pathways to Law Project is funded by the Sutton Trust and the Legal Education Foundation. Eleven different programmes run across the UK. In the East Midlands, Pathways to Law is co-ordinated as a partnership between Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University and the School of Law, University of Nottingham.
Posted on Friday 28th November 2014