| The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013
Newsletter
| Winter 2013 |
In this issue
| School News | Class of 1953 | Forthcoming Events | Student News | Plus: Win a Kindle Fire! |
| Page 2 | The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 |
| The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 | Page 3 |
School News
Welcome from Head of School
Welcome to the winter issue of the Law School newsletter. Eight pages are far too
few to capture the breadth and depth of recent activities at the Law School; instead
we are providing you with just a taster of what we have been up to. This includes the
expansion of our Free Legal Advice Centre, the activities of the Global Justice Academy,
the involvement of staff in legislation relating to Scotland’s referendum, student mooting
successes, an update on the African Tercentenary Scholarships, and more. Our
snapshot alumni profiles on page eight also give a flavour of the many and diverse
career paths of our graduates.
One of the particular highlights this year was the reunion in June of ten graduates from the
Law Class of 1953 which I had the great privilege of attending. I am particularly delighted
that two of our 1953 graduates, Elizabeth Picton and Lawrence Mackie, have been kind
enough to share with you some of their memories of their time at Old College (see pages
four and five). Most striking for me is the difference in make-up of the student body at the Law School – a total of 37
female students compared with 850 today!
I do hope you enjoy reading this newsletter, and would very much encourage you to visit our website for more news.
Professor Lesley McAra, Head of School
Scotland’s Referendum
Stephen Tierney
An expert on referendum law and practice Professor Tierney has been advising the Referendum
(Scotland) Bill Committee of the Scottish Parliament on technical issues in advance of the 2014
independence referendum. This includes advice on the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill
which sets out the referendum question, the role for the Electoral Commission, the voting process
and the funding and spending rules for the campaign. According to Professor Tierney: “Fairness
and transparency on each of these issues is crucial if the voting public is to have the best chance
to participate in the referendum in an informed way and if the process as a whole is to be lawful
and democratic.”
First Public Meeting of the Global Citizenship Commission
On 19th October 2013, the Global Justice Academy was delighted to welcome the Global
Citizenship Commission to the University. The Commission met to re-examine the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and discuss the many global developments since its passing over
60 years ago. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown led the discussion; and Malala Yousafzai,
the teenage girl who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, was the guest of
honour, delivering the keynote address. Led by Christine Bell (Professor of Constitutional Law)
and launched in March 2013, the Global Justice Academy brings together and supports the
Malala Yousafzai
existing work, networks and centres relating to justice in its broadest sense, complementing the
University’s three existing Global Academies and fostering a sense of collaboration across the University and beyond.
www.globaljusticeacademy.ed.ac.uk
143 Clients Seen in 2012/13 at the Law School’s Free Legal Advice Centre
Have You Seen Our Beautiful Quad?
Those of you who haven’t visited for a while may not know that, thanks to a £1-million-pound
anonymous donation, the Old College quadrangle has been transformed into an attractive public
garden with the installation of a central lawn and elegant stone paving to complement the style of
the original design. The Law School is also in the process of commissioning architectural plans
for a complete redevelopment of its side of Old College … more details coming soon!
Staff News
Staff numbers are much higher than even a few years ago, and at the latest count there were 90 professors and
lecturers drawn from 19 different countries. The Law School continues to expand. Emilios Avgouleas, who held a chair
at Manchester University, has taken up the new Chair in Banking Law, and further appointments have been made in
fields such as criminal law (Chloë Kennedy), European legal history (Guido Rossi), EU law (Tobias Lock), international
criminal law (Paul Behrens), IP law (Roya Ghafele), and public international law (Michele Burgis-Kasthala).
The distinguished criminologist, David Garland, a familiar Edinburgh figure from the 1980s and 1990s, has returned
to the Law School on a part-time basis from New York University. Those who were at Old College in the 1960s, 1970s
and early 1980s will be saddened to learn of the death of Hamish Henderson, a former senior lecturer in Scots Law,
who died on 19th October 2013 at the age of 87.
The Law School’s Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) provides access to justice for those who
would not otherwise be able to afford it whilst providing invaluable practical learning experience
for our Diploma in Professional Legal Practice students, allowing them to put their legal
knowledge and skills into practice by interacting with and assisting members of the public with
legal issues, under the guidance of supervising solicitors. During the academic year 2012/13
the Centre advised 143 clients in a variety of legal areas. Our student committee and operations team (pictured) was
also awarded a Certificate of Commendation for “Best Contribution by a Team of Students” by the Attorney General,
Dominic Grieve QC, at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards earlier this year.
Forthcoming Events
The Law School holds many events which are open to the public and we are particularly delighted to welcome alumni
on these occasions. Some upcoming highlights are listed below; keep an eye on the Law School website for more.
The below events are in partnership with The Howard League for Penal Reform in Scotland and are free but ticketed.
Go to www.howardleaguescotland.org.uk to book tickets.
Date
Event
TimeVenue
Howard League for Penal Reform in 5.30pm
Tuesday 28th January 2014 Scotland – James Timpson, Chief Executive
of Timpson, “Cons to Cobblers”. James
will discuss the importance of second
chances and the benefits of recruiting
ex-offenders.
Wednesday 12th February 2014 Howard League for Penal Reform in 5.30pm
Scotland – Lorna Holmes, Includem,
“Inclusion Plus: A partnership approach to
preventing school exclusions through
support at school and at home” Playfair Library, Old College
Lecture Theatre 175, Old College
| Page 4 | The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 |
| The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 | Page 5 |
Focus on the Class of 1953
In June of this year the University and the Law School were delighted to host a reunion marking the
60th anniversary of the Law Class of 1953. In this special feature two of the class members, Elizabeth
Picton and Lawrence Mackie, talk more about their time at Old College – an altogether different student
experience from the Class of 2013.
“I spent five years at the University studying for the then combined MA
and LLB degrees. I have to admit most Arts lectures were preferable to
those in Law. The Scots Law Professor did little more than read us the
then law ‘Bible’, Gloag and Henderson, whereas Political Economy came
alive through Sir Alexander Gray’s racy lectures. I originally stayed in St
Leonard’s Hall but I spent my last two years at University living with my
widowed grandfather in Trinity, travelling to the Old Quad courtesy of the
number 8 tram. Fellow students joined along the route and we convened in
‘caboose’ on the top deck above the driver! My three-year apprenticeship
had now started and I learned my trade with Steedman, Ramage & Co on
Elizabeth Picton on her graduation and in
2013, with the same bicycle she cycled on
Alva Street. Few girls read Law and there were around 12 of us in a class of
to Old College
about 100.When seeking employment you avoided adverts stating ‘females welcome’ – i.e. short-changing salary!
“I was pleased to meet fellow graduate Lawrence Mackie at the Law School’s Tercentenary dinner in 2007.
In 2011 a fellow St Leonards Hall resident and I had started planning a reunion in the Hall which took place in May
2012. Thus inspired, I approached Lawrence to be my ally in organising a 60th Anniversary reunion of the Law Class
of 1953. With the help of the Alumni Department we got in touch with a good number of former classmates, ten of
whom, plus partners, enjoyed a celebratory 60th Anniversary lunch on 7th June 2013. I very much enjoyed getting in
touch with former classmates – you never forget friends made during University days.”
Class of 1953 members at the reunion in June 2013
Back Row: Lord Ranald Sutherland, Doris Laing,
Gay Mackie, Lawrence Mackie, Fergus Brown,
John Picton, Sir John Shaw
Front Row: John Ure, Sylvia Ure, Mary Murchison,
Elizabeth Picton, Lady Shirley Shaw, Robin Banks,
Faith Macnaughtan, Neil Macnaughtan
Underlined names are 1953 graduates
Members of the Law Class of 1953
“At 16 I was one of the youngest students. Shortly after the start of my
sixth year at school an announcement was made that Melville and
Lindesay, W.S, were looking for two law apprentices. Together with a
great friend I reported to their offices that very same afternoon, in my
school uniform, the only formal clothing I possessed in those days of
rationing. We were both given the apprenticeships, putting an abrupt
end to what I still consider my only opportunity for a gap year! We would
cycle to Old College for our 9 o’clock lecture, after which there was just
time for a quick cup of coffee in the Common Room, before cycling
down the Mound to report for work at 10.30. Suits on weekdays and
Lawrence Mackie on his graduation and in 2013
sports jackets and flannels on Saturday mornings were obligatory for
both office and University, otherwise we weren’t allowed in. We stayed at work until 3.30 or 4.30, and reported
back to Old College for our 4 or 5 o’ clock class. I was quite envious of many of the MA student friends, for whom
pressures of the workplace had yet to penetrate, and who seemed to spend a large part of their day playing
bridge in the Common Room!”
Read Lawrence’s full profile online at www.law.ed.ac.uk/alumni/profiles
WIN! a Kindle Fire
Class Photos – We
Need Your Help!
Male Students: 283
Female Students: 37
Academic Staff: 35
1953
Male Students: 549
Female Students: 850
Academic Staff: 90
2013
We now have an
archive of class
photos from 1952
onwards for you to view
online at
www.law.ed.ac.uk/alumni/class_photos
However we are missing years 1964 and 1967
to 1977 inclusive. Do you have one of these class
photos at home? If so send in a scan to
law.alumni@ed.ac.uk with the email subject
“Class Photo” for a chance to be entered into a
prize draw to win a Kindle Fire.
| Page 6 | The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 |
| The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 | Page 7 |
Student News
African Tercentenary Scholarships
Catriona Jardine (pictured), final-year LLB student and President of the Law Students’
Council, rounds up undergraduate news:
The African Tercentenary Scholarships were established thanks to generous donations received as part of our Law
Tercentenary Appeal in 2007. We are delighted to announce that the final recipient of the scholarships is Shelagh
Rule from South Africa. Shelagh has just started her year’s study here. Here is a quick update on past recipients:
The start of our new academic year has been non-stop as always. Inspiring welcome lectures
from Professor McAra, a “strawberry and fizz” welcome reception for first-years on the lawn of the
Old College Quad (sadly rained off to the Lorimer Room – the weather here remains the same as
ever!), Scots Law careers fair, and the second-hand book sale, to name but a few events. Firstyears also met their LawPALS leaders and were given a student tour. LawPALS is an initiative that
provides all first-years with mentor support from third and fourth year students, with sessions running throughout the
term on subjects ranging from taking notes in lectures to ace-ing those Christmas exams.
The first Law and Film screening was V for Vendetta and the Law School Music Society hosted a reception. Now
boasting a jazz band, string quartet, rock band, wind band, male and female a cappellas as well as a full choir, the
Society will put on events throughout the year.
Not to be outdone there is just as much activity on the sports side of things, with the Hockey, Netball, Rugby and
Football teams announcing their upcoming fixtures.
Finally the long-running Mummies and Daddies event for new students in early October, a drinks reception and pub
crawl, provided a very welcome break from studying at the start of the semester.
Student Achievements
A Year of Mooting Successes
The 2012/13 academic year was a fantastic success for students from across the Law
School with excellent performances in mooting and other legal competitions. Our teams
won the International Criminal Law Moot and the Lexis Nexis Senior Mooting Competition
and performed extremely well at several other competitions including the Willem Vis
International Commercial Arbitration Moot, the Oxford Moot, the Telders International Law
Moot, and the UK Law Schools’ mediation competition.
Kyle Bailey, South Africa, 2010/11
LLM in International Law
Partner, Dambe, Johannes Attorneys, Botswana
LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change
Candidate Attorney (solicitor) in Durban, South Africa
“I have tremendously benefited from the LLM and
the academic maturity that came with it is invaluable.
My LLM dissertation focused on the shortfalls of the
Botswana Arbitration Act, with a view to suggesting
reforms that are necessary to elevate it to International
standards of commercial arbitration.”
“Attending such a prestigious institution and being
lectured at such a high standard, in one of the most
dynamic cities in the world, gave me the confidence to
take the initiative in my own future. The LLM in Global
Environment and Climate Change Law was taught by
some of the world’s leading academics who challenged
us students to discern how domestic and international
law needs to approach these issues.”
Robert Muthuri, Kenya, 2011/12
Dolapo Sayeedat Ayoola, Nigeria, 2012/13
LLM in Innovation, Technology and the Law
Just started a PhD in Law, Science and Technology on
an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship in Italy
LLM in Law
Amy Pairman and Eilidh Marnoch,
winners of the Lexis Nexis Senior
Mooting Competition 2012/13
Enhancing the Student Experience
The Law School is proud to promote peer support and mentoring across the student body. For several years we have run
the LawPALS scheme, designed to help first-year students adapt to studying law and to university life. We were delighted
that eight of the 2012/13 LawPALS Leaders successfully achieved the University’s Edinburgh Award, an initiative which
gives students recognition for personal achievements outwith their academic studies. The Law School continues to
develop links between study and practice. The Solicitor Links for Undergraduate Guidance (SLUG) provides students with
an insight into the various careers available within the legal profession, while giving solicitors and legal professionals the
opportunity to connect with law students.
For more information on these initiatives, or to get involved, please visit www.law.ed.ac.uk/studentexperience
or email law@ed.ac.uk
New Postgraduate Alumni Network Launched
Edinburgh Law Connections (ELC) is a student-led community at the Law School designed to connect current
students and postgraduate alumni. ELC hosts informal socials, professional development workshops and networking
events to help current LLM students meet, engage with and learn from alumni and legal professionals. To get in touch
and find out more please connect with us at the details below:
Email: elc@ed.ac.uk
@ELawConnections
Edinburgh Law Connections
Baboki Dambe, Botswana, 2009/10
Edinburgh Law Connections
“Following my LLM I rejoined Mboya Wangong’u &
Waiyaki Advocates in Kenya to set up the Innovation
and Technology Law department. Ultimately, my aim
is to become a legal knowledge engineer whose goal
is to avail justice to the masses by making it scalable
through technology.”
“The experiences – learning and extra-curricular – that
I have obtained in Edinburgh are ones that I will fondly
carry with me in my personal and professional life.
I have acquired transferable skills that will be useful in
my career. My research skills particularly have been
enormously improved … I am now effectively poised to
fulfil my goal of practising as a highly skilled lawyer in a
reputable law firm and ultimately being a strong force
for justice and the rule of law.”
| Page 8 | The University of Edinburgh Law School Newsletter | www.law.ed.ac.uk | Winter 2013 |
Snapshot Alumni Profiles
www.law.ed.ac.uk
The Law School’s alumni have contributed in remarkable ways, in Scotland and far beyond, to legal practice, to the
judiciary, to commerce, to public service, to literature, and even to sport. Below is just a taster of the paths of some
of the University’s Law graduates. Go to www.law.ed.ac.uk/alumni/profiles to view some of their full profiles.
Alexander McCall Smith, LLB 1971
Best-selling author and Emeritus Professor of
Medical Law at the Law School
Michael Barron, LLB 1975
Partner, Dickson Minto
“… The best lecturers were Bill Wilson who
lectured in mercantile law (‘a floating charge is
like a great pudding bowl’), Brian Gill (now Lord
President Gill), Gerald Gordon on criminal law
(‘ladies and gentlemen, I will not be lecturing on sexual offences
on the basis that this is the only part of the course which you
can be relied on to read for yourselves’) and Professor Mason in
Forensic Medicine, a very jolly pathologist who specialized in the
most gruesome aeroplane crashes.”
Dr Katherine Grainger, LLB 1997
Rower, Olympic Gold-Medallist 2012
“… I am very aware that the foundation of the
success I have achieved is due to the help, support
and inspiration which I received when I was at the
University of Edinburgh …”
Kieran Ferguson, LLB Law and Business 2005
Head of Strategic Projects, CEO’s Office,
Virgin Money
“… Leaving university was a sad yet exciting
experience. I graduated with first-class honours
(a result that still surprises me!), and I finished my
studies with a burning desire to put what I’d learned into practice.
However, I still feel like part of the Law School in my capacity as
tutor on the Contract and Delict (Ordinary) courses, a brilliant
opportunity which I would encourage any law graduate to seize ...”
Ian Bankier, LLB 1975
Chairman, Celtic Football Club, and Executive
Chairman, Glenkeir Whiskies
“… As I look back today, I realise that I have
now been in industry longer than the law.
I regard myself as a fully-rounded business
man. Nevertheless, my legal training has been a most
valuable asset and I would like to see many more lawyers
participate in business …”
Lady Stacey, LLB 1976
Scottish High Court Judge
“… A few words for current students would
be don’t be in a rush to stop formal learning
and get qualified and go to work; instead
think about some extra studying and take
your chances when you are young to work overseas or in an
area of law you may not want to do all your life ...”
Philippa Greer, LLB 2011, Dip. PLP 2012
Currently a Kennedy Scholar studying for
an LLM at Harvard Law School. Previously
pursued volunteer work in Georgia, Alabama
and New York working on Death Penalty
defence and access to justice issues.
“… At the University of Edinburgh graduation ceremony in
2011 the incredible Olivia Giles gave a truly inspiring speech
to the graduating students. She told us to make sure that
we follow our dreams and that we never lose sight of them.
I can safely say that my time at the University of Edinburgh
has led me to pursue an enriching career and I will be
forever thankful to the School of Law ...”
Waqqas Ashraf, LLB 2011, Dip. PLP 2012
Winner of the Law Awards of Scotland,
Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2013
“It’s been a fantastic roller coaster ride since
I finished my LLB at Edinburgh University. I
was lucky enough to get a Traineeship with
one of Scotland’s best Criminal Defence firms, McCusker
McElroy & Gallanagh. It was an unbelievable moment
winning an award at the Law Awards of Scotland. For
years I have seen my mentors and friends, John Scott QC,
Aamer Anwar and John Paul McElroy, being nominated
and winning these awards, so to win one so early on in my
career was brilliant.”
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