About the Law School
Our School of Law has established itself as one of the most innovative among new universities.
Our cutting-edge programmes are popular with students planning to practise professionally, or looking to enhance their careers with a well-respected legal qualification.
- One of the first UK law schools to offer a LLM (Master’s in Law) degree in e-commerce law, an area where we continue to lead.
- In 2005 we opened a Law Clinic, the UK’s first truly regional pro bono university advice centre for the general public.
- We publish the Hertfordshire Law Journal twice yearly, promoting knowledge and discussion on international commercial law.
Learning Environment
The School occupies a dedicated site in St. Albans, close to the Crown Court and the city’s legal practices, and just a few kilometres from the University’s Hatfield campus. With a full-time academic staff of 40 and a culturally diverse community, students enjoy a friendly and supportive environment. Our distinctive approach to teaching consistently places us in the top five new university Law Schools in the UK.
Flexible programmes combine the best of traditional law studies with the practical skills today’s legal practitioners need. Most can be studied full or part time, and some include distance learning modules. Students can also study law as part of a joint honours degree programme through the School of Combined Studies.
LLB and LLM programmes offer the opportunity to develop an area of expertise, such as ecommerce, or international or maritime law, and postgraduates can go on to study at MPhil or PhD level.
Continuing professional development courses are well attended by solicitors and legal executives, as well as chartered accountants, conveyancers, and other local business people.
The School also runs a Common Professional Examination (CPE) programme and Legal Practice Courses (LPCs) offering access to further professional study.
21st Century Resources
On campus, excellent facilities support the strong emphasis on vocational learning.
A simulated courtroom gives students a feel for what to expect in real life, and the chance to review their performance in mock trials with the aid of sophisticated video technology.
At our Law Clinic students can apply their studies to actual cases with guidance from experienced solicitors. Giving members of the public free advice and representation on issues such as consumer, employment and family law develops personal and professional skills.
The School’s own 24/7 Learning Resources Centre features a specialist law library, stocked with a wealth of printed and electronic legal practitioner materials, and hi-tech computing suites with online access to legal and commercial databases.
Community Partnerships
Established links with the legal and business community provide work placements in law firms and legal departments of commercial corporations.
Through ‘Streetlaw’ workshops we promote legal literacy. With guidance from legal practitioners, students run interactive events at schools, colleges and specialist interest groups. These cover areas such as children, consumer, employment, housing, immigration and personal injury.
We also host a programme of public lectures and seminars throughout the year with keynote speakers from the legal community.
Research Focus
Our Centre for International Law is an effective base for research and publishing.
We are particularly strong in ecommerce law, one of the fastest growing areas of practice - and where our academic staff has published a student textbook on the subject.
Intellectual property, international commercial law and telecommunications are among other areas of interests that inform teaching and contribute to a wider knowledge base.
International Outlook
On campus, the School is culturally diverse with students and staff from all over the world.
Partnerships with overseas academic institutions mean our LLB and LLM programmes are taught as far afield as China, Greece and Malaysia.
Professional Accreditation
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
- Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX)
- The Law Society
