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Welcome Back Bulletin, September 2026
Welcome back to the Law School!
I hope that you will enjoy reconnecting with your friends and everyone at the University. We are delighted to have you back and it is wonderful to feel the start of term 'buzz' in the Amory Building and around campus.
I would like to start by congratulating you on the successful completion of your first year of study. I am fully aware that the second year can at times feel like a big jump from the first year. This is entirely normal – your law degree is designed to scaffold your learning from the moment you enter our doors until you leave and we are all here at Exeter Law School to support you throughout. Remember to reach out to your subject academics and your academic personal tutor if you need support. Should you want to discuss something that’s more personal than academic, you can contact Sarah or Jay, the Law School’s fantastic pastoral mentors. Mabel, the Law School’s therapy dog in training, is also here to provide support, comfort and lots of cuddles!
The programme is challenging and demanding, but it is also fascinating and impactful - so make the most of it by attending classes, discussing with your subject academics and peers, and developing your legal and critical thinking skills. Seize every opportunity to learn, meet new people, and build friendships. Be kind to your peers and support one another as you go through this year together.
It is a real pleasure for us to welcome you back to Exeter Law School. I wish you all a fantastic first term!
Best wishes,
Caroline
Professor Caroline Fournet, Head of Exeter Law School
Education Matters with David Yuratich
Hello, It is my pleasure to welcome you back for your new academic year.
My role is to ensure your programme runs smoothly, that the school promotes the highest levels of rigour and inclusion, and that you are supported to achieve your potential. I work closely with the directors of each of our undergraduate programmes and with your module convenors to make this happen. I welcome feedback from you on any aspect of the student experience at any point in the year.
New resources this year:
In our online ‘Welcome Back’ talks I'll discuss some of the new resources for student support. These talks will be recorded if you cannot attend. You will also be able to view the resources on the Law (Streatham) ELE Gateway.
University support:
Make the most of the University services to help you with your career and your personal goals. I'd also encourage you to connect with your academic tutor – the person who will champion you in your academic and professional life. As Caroline mentioned, our two pastoral mentors Jay and Sarah are also available to discuss your support needs.
Assessment planning:
All students need to be mindful of the need to plan for the completion of assessments. There are usually two opportunities to complete a module. The first sitting of an assessment can take place mid-term (e.g. a piece of coursework), or during the January or May exam periods. If, come the June exam board, a student has not yet passed the module, they can be referred or deferred to the second sitting (in July/August). If you ever feel too poorly, or are facing other adverse personal circumstances that can affect your ability to fairly perform in assessment, please contact the Amory Info Point and ask about mitigation. But please do not assume that you can complete your assessments at a later date without having the matter confirmed by the Amory Info Point first. We are seeing an increase in students not submitting their work at all, or applying for mitigation, assuming (mistakenly) that they could trail their exam into the next academic year. This won’t usually be possible, so please come forward if you are experiencing any difficulties.
AI in assessments:
Last year we continued to see academic misconduct cases relating to the misuse of AI. Please familiarise yourself with the University's AI policy and the associated training via the library website. The High Court has passed down a number of important judgments about the use of AI in legal drafting. Several lawyers have been referred to the professional regulators for the misuse of AI and the High Court has confirmed that misuse of AI can be contempt of court (i.e. a criminal offence). So be careful and follow the guidance to the
letter.
The Law Society of England and Wales has explained the key issues around the use of AI in legal drafting in this informative article. I hope it goes without saying that the use of GenAI is not necessary to succeed in your studies; Exeter Law School has been around a lot longer than AI!
I wish you every success on your academic journey, and we look forward to supporting you and celebrating your achievements.
Best wishes,
David
Dr David Yuratich, Director of Education and Student Experience
🎓Mooting🎓
Congratulations to Arwyn and Hana who reached the semi-finals of the National First Year Mooting Competition in July. Director of Mooting and Competitions, Adam Nicholls said the team threw themselves into the event 100% and worked incredibly hard to fight off some fierce competition. Read more about Arwyn and Hana's experiences on our story here.
If you've not yet had a try at mooting but would like more information, read more on our mooting pages We regularly update our Opportunities page with mooting news.
🫶Your Pastoral Mentors - Jay, Sarah and Mabel 🐶
As a reminder, we have two Pastoral Mentors: Sarah Street and Jay Ford, ably supported by Mabel the dog. They are your friendly port of call for any aspects of university life such as:
• Time management and study skills.
• Settling back into university life.
• General wellbeing and balancing academic/life responsibilities.
• Questions about assessments, mitigation, and ref/def.
• Guidance around accessibility, ILPs, and individual needs.
• Signposting to other university and external support groups.
• Reflection and growth based on your time at university.
You can book to see your Pastoral Mentors in person or on Teams via this link. Alternatively, you can reach out to them by email.
Sarah and Jay have years of experience supporting students with balancing life alongside academia, individual learning needs, finding students the right support, and general wellbeing.
💚Looking after yourself 🫶
Wellbeing Services are here to help you with your wellbeing and mental health while you’re studying with us. They offer a range of psychological therapies, workshops, self-help services, support with mental health issues and wide-ranging support on wellbeing. Check out their pages here.
🗓️Opportunities and Events 🗒️
Take a look at our Law School Opportunities page for events and activities such as mooting, essay competitions, quizzes and invitations to events run by legal firms.
You can also link from the Opportunities page to our dedicated Digital Hub for Employability. Here you will find a host of information and career-focused events such as this employability workshop:
"Intersection of Legal Data & AI" with alumna Amanda Chaboryk
Tuesday 29 September 2026, 13:30-15.30
Purple LT (B) / Newman
Amanda is AI & Strategic Alliances Director, Epiq and an Exeter Law School Advisory Board Member. Places are limited to 40, so find out more and book below.
Here are some of October's events:
- Regulation, Standards and Ethics in the Press: Workshop with the Press Justice Project (8 October 2026)
- Alumni Employability Panel & Networking Reception: In Celebration of Black History Month (13 October 2026)
- Storytelling for Climate Impact: Interactive Lecture & Workshop (14 October 2026)
- Legal Project Management for Future Lawyers: Managing Matters, Clients & Technology (20 October 2026)
If you love making social media content or writing blogs you can gain real, flexible, paid work experience alongside your studies.
All students are welcome to apply:
To be a social media content creator: Fill in form
To be a blog creator: Fill in form
Applications close at 23.59 on Monday 19 October 2026. Got any questions? Email the team: socialmedia@exeter.ac.uk
✒️Help with your academic writing 🗒️
Meredith Miller and Roland Chambers are two Royal Literary Fellows based in the Law School. They are here to help all students, at any stage of study, to improve their writing. Possible topics you might like to discuss with them:
- essay planning and structuring your argument;
- how to make a draft clearer and more economical;
- rewriting and editing; ‘writer’s block’;
- or just understanding an essay question.
You can book a 1:1 session and read more about the Royal literary Fellows on our webpage here.
🤳Our Socials 📲
University of Exeter Law School
You can see previous editions of the bulletin on our website here. If you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like to share a story with us, please email lawcomms@exeter.ac.uk. Fin
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