No images? Click here

University of Exeter logo

Law School Bulletin February 2023

A vintage postcard showing the building where the Law School used to be based in the 1920's. Courtesy of the University's Special Collections archive.

Welcome to our February bulletin. 

I want to open by saying a big congratulations to the Community Law Clinic which has been shortlisted in two categories for this year’s Exeter Living Awards. It is wonderful that the great contribution colleagues and students working in the Clinic bring to the community has been recognised, and I would like to say thank you and well done to everyone involved!

In this bulletin we are highlighting the role of Dr Victoria Hamlyn who leads the personal tutoring team, and who is keen to hear your feedback on the personal tutoring programme this year. Feedback is also the focus in ‘Education Matters’ to help you make the most of recent feedback when working on future assignments. The bulletin contains the usual range of events and opportunities, and for those of you returning to study in September, please do take note of the Module Fair on the 8th March at which you can find out about the range of exciting modules that you can choose from for next year. 

In the meantime, the daffodils are starting to flower on campus which means spring is on it's way!

Joasia

Professor Joasia Luzak, Head of Law School

Photo of Professor Joasia Luzak, Professor in Law Head of School

Spotlight on....

Dr Victoria Hamlyn

As our Senior Tutor, Victoria is responsible for leading the personal tutoring team and is currently working to refresh the academic personal tutoring system in the school. Victoria joined the department in September 2022 and is passionate about supporting students. She is also keen to hear your thoughts and feedback on your experience of personal tutoring so far, so please do reach out to her via her details below if you have any feedback or ideas for improving the personal tutoring system in the Law School. 

Get in touch by email
 

Education Matters

Engaging with Assessments: It’s more than just a number…

Director of Education and Student Experience, Dr Craig Newbery-Jones writes:

In the last few weeks, you should have received your marks and feedback for the assessments that you submitted in December or January. While some may be happy with their marks, others of you may be a little disappointed with the grade you’ve received. However, it is important not to get too obsessed by the number on your assessment. Instead, you should focus on the written feedback given for the assignment and think about how this can feed-forward into future assessments and transferable skills development.

Feedback is the most important part of the assessment process. Feedback is important for us to develop as scholars and to keep improving as we move along our learning journey. Make sure you do not neglect these important comments and be sure to sit and think carefully about your feedback.

Think about how you can incorporate this into your next assessment on the module in question and your other modules. Look for patterns across different assessments; is your feedback similar for different modules? What did you do well in one module that you did less well in another? Think carefully about these pointers and strategise what you can do differently next time to address this feedback. Also be sure to engage with generic feedback opportunities in your learning activities.

Finally, be sure to get in touch with the module team if you require any clarification on your feedback and your personal tutor can also give you some pointers on how to feed forward into your next assessments.

Craig 

Writing Skills

Book in for a 1:1 Academic Writing Tutorial

Exeter Law School has the huge privilege of hosting a Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellow, a professional writer and editor whose job it is to help students, from first years to postdocs, improve their academic writing skills. The RLF provision sits alongside our own law skills activities, and university skills provision, but is particularly helpful in focusing on non-subject specific writing advice and offering dedicated one-to-one support. 

 

Jeremy Treglown is based in the Law School and offers 1:1 academic writing tutorials for up to 50 minutes (free and confidential), with bespoke sessions focusing on particular aspects of your written communication. Possible topics in your session might include essay planning and structuring your argument; how to make a draft clearer and more economical; rewriting and editing; ‘writer’s block’; or even just understanding an essay / research question - whatever you and Jeremy think would be most helpful. Don’t think of it as ‘remedial’, as the sessions are intended to be useful however good your writing is!

The sessions are held in-person. Jeremy is currently available on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Boardroom 1, next to the Moot Court. To arrange a tutorial please use the online booking link here: https://calendly.com/jeremy-treglown/1to1. Jeremy looks forward to meeting you!

 

Celebrate!

Congratulations to our Community Law Clinic which has two reasons to celebrate this month. It has been nominated in two categories, Legal and Civic, in the Exeter Living Awards, These annual awards celebrate the best of Exeter.

The clinic has been operating since 2017, providing members of the public with free legal services. Have a look at our video on YouTube.

 

Our Centenary!

In the last couple of weeks we've been celebrating our 100th anniversary looking at the origins of the Law School and how it has evolved since 1923. In recent decades we have truly become international and interdisciplinary in our research, impact and partnerships. Our research spans disciplines and demonstrates the many pathways open to you as an Exeter graduate. Don't forget there are many events showcasing interesting research from within and outside the University, regularly updated on the website here.  

One such event takes place on Monday 6 March when we welcome Dr Andy Hayward, Associate Professor in Family Law at Durham Law School to deliver our Annual FRS Network/Butler-Sloss Family Law Lecture. You can book a place on the Eventbrite page here. 

And later in the month our annual Lasok Lecture is presented by on Wednesday 15 March by Christopher Docksey, Honorary Director-General of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). The topic of his lecture is 'The Court of Justice and the shaping of the GDPR' and is hosted by CELS - The Centre for European Legal Studies. You can book a place on the Eventbrite page here.

 
 

Meet our new Linktree

We've created a Linktree for the Law School which has quick links to your monthly newsletter and opportunities, as well as information from employability and links to our social media.

We're also just starting our Instagram featuring the latest Law School news and information, behind the scenes content and your stories too. We'd love you to follow us in the coming weeks so join us here. 

A screen grab of the Law School linktree
 

Opportunities and Events 

Below are just a few of the many things available for you to join in with or attend. Click here for more opportunities - including other events provided by the University and external providers. We will regularly update this page with new items so save the link.

Poster - How can the state adequately protect the mental health of child and adolescent refugees

14 March 4-5pm

Online discussion:

Join Raawiyah Rifath, from the Law School, when she chairs this ROUTES discussion. She'll be joined by Prof. Mina Fazel from the University of Oxford and Dr. Zoe Given Wilson from the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law at Royal Holloway University of London. Click here for full details and how to join via Zoom. 

 
Law new careers pathways panel event infographic.
 

This event brings together an exciting panel of University of Exeter alumni working in Social Justice after graduating.

After each panellist has spoken about their career journey there will be time for Q&A. Don't miss out on the opportunity to ask them anything you might want to know about their careers - their experiences could help inform your own career decisions!

This event is open to all students. More information and details here.

 

Did you achieve a excellent mark in your recent summative assessments?

Would you like to publish your hard work?

The Exeter Law Review is currently open for staff and student submissions in any area of law. Please reformat your essay to reflect a published journal article (e.g. abstract, sub-headings, and judicial ratios throughout for legal rigour). It can then be sent to the editorial board for review: exeterlawreview@gmail.com.

 

On Campus Law Mock Interviews

Fri 3 March 0930-1200 with a Partner at Stephens Scown LLP 

Fri 17 March, 0930-1530 with a Consultant at Clifford Chance

Forum, Streatham 

Book yourself a slot to take part in a mock interview. On both dates the session is 30 minutes long - a 20 min interview followed by 10 mins for feedback.

Questions are competency based but tailored to those wishing to enter the legal profession. By booking a mock interview, you are demonstrating your commitment to that event. Please only book a mock interview if you are confident you will be able to attend.

BOOK HERE 3 March
BOOK HERE 17 March
 

The Oxford University Press is after your feedback about Law Trove. They have a short survey so they can better understand how this facility is used and how they could improve it. Complete the survey via this link.

 
Annual Law Trove Student Survey is now open, for feedback. Click on the image to be taken to the survey.
 

Your Voice

 

Introducing Kassie and Guin

Our team of Student Experience Officers work closely with Law to coordinate activities that enhance the student experience. To date, we have delivered and supported student-led projects and student-facing events, including pub quizzes, lectures from guest speakers with drinks receptions, a Welcome Fair for Freshers, careers events and student mentor meet and greets.

If you have a student experience initiative or event you’d like to see realised, contact your Law Student Experience Officers: Guin Walker-Wood G.Walker-Wood@exeter.ac.uk & Kassie Foran K.Foran@exeter.ac.uk

 

Industrial Action

 

UCU Industrial Action – Paused

Following discussions last week, the Higher Education trade unions have agreed to pause their planned industrial action for the next two weeks to allow time-limited talks to progress proposals on the areas of the national dispute. This means there will be no strike action this week, beginning 20 February and next, beginning 27 February. 

The latest information, and answers to frequently asked questions, is on our webpages and we will keep you updated on progress to resolve the national dispute.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to us at one of the drop-in sessions and join us at the online talk and Q&A on Monday 27 February. 

 

Safer Exeter Campaign

An important multi-channel campaign was launched this week by the Safer Exeter Partnership which encourages people to intervene, in a skilful and non-confrontational way, if they witness inappropriate behaviours towards women in public places. Associate Professor Dr. Rachel Fenton is leading this project. To find out more about the campaign
and how to do the right thing to make Exeter a safer city, please visit: www.exeter.gov.uk/bystander and search 'bystander training' on Handshake to see dates of available sessions.

Campaign poster by Safer Exeter. Wording is, In the UK 71% of women have experienced sexual harassment in a public space. Source UN Women.  Hey are you okay? It only takes a few calm words to help someone who's being harassed.
 
 
 

The National Student Survey is open for all final year students. The feedback we receive from your contributions helps shape all aspects of University life for future students. Follow the link provided in your email from Ipsos or click on the NSS website here.

 

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER LAW SCHOOL

If you would like to see previous editions of the bulletin, they sit on our WordPress site here.  And if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like to share an exciting story with us, please email lawcomms@exeter.ac.uk. Fin

 
TwitterLinkedInWebsiteInstagram
 
 

Faculty of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
Law Office,
Amory Building,
Rennes Drive,
University of Exeter
EX4 4RJ

+44 (0)1392 723301

Preferences  |  Unsubscribe