The Devil's Advocate November 2015 by DAEditor

THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Issue Number 10 | November 2015

Interview Special • Professor Judge Wolfgang Schomburg • Dr Fiona Wilcox • Professor Craig Barker

Editorial Team :

Illuminating

Judith Dela Cuesta Matthew Quigley

I N S I D E

The Law Society Page

4-5

Dean Craig Barker

6-7

The Rule of Law

Prof Judge Wolfgang Schomburg

8-10

Leasha Newman

17-18

Custos Placitorum Coronae

Book Review 14-15

Student Experience 19-21

Dr Fiona Wilcox 12-14

Law Division

Glenda Gapare Members, Editorial Board

opportunities for lawyers

Leasha Newman

With expertise in crime & litigation, international criminal law & procedure, international human rights & development and civil litigation & dispute resolution, LSBU is a popular choice for London lawyers looking to specialise. Brighter reasons to study at LSBU

Contributing Editor Poonam Sehmbi Brendan Fitzsimons Alexandra Varga

A local Southwark campus with excellent transport links; Full-time and part-time course delivery offered; LLMs delivered by experienced academics and guest leading practitioners including Imran Khan Solicitor (acted for family of Stephen Lawrence), Joel Bennathan QC and Roger Smith, former Director of Justice; – An excellent scholarship package for postgraduate

Priscilla Adefisoye Matthew Quigley Glenda Gapare Leasha Newman

students.

Judith Dela Cuesta Akim Tejan Cole Claire Bradford

WELCOME It is a pleasure and a privilege to present to you the autumn edition of The Devil’s Advocate, the law magazine of the LSBU’s Student Law Society. A very warm welcome to first year law students and to returning students. This year, the magazine has been reinvigorated with three members on the editorial board. This edition has plenty of interviews from an international judge from the UN, Professor Judge Wolfgang Schomburg, to the Dean of the School of Law of the University, Professor Craig Barker, a coroner in London and a recent graduate law student who won an LPC scholarship. There’s a book review and a guide to law students from continuing students on how to manage reading, extracurricular activities and future endeavours. The Law Society has lined up talks with leading lawyers of the profession, visits to the ECHR and CJEU headquarters in Strasbourg and Luxembourg respectively and national legal hubs like the Houses of Parliament and Supreme Court as well the regular mooting competitions and Street Law events and other exciting activities for the year. You have to join the Law Society to maximise your stay in the University. Needless to say, many thanks to the support of the Dean of the School of Law and Social Sciences, the Head of the Law Division and most especially to Kim Silver.

Contributors

Enjoy the articles as they are the living and breathing words of legal professionals and students. Best wishes with your reading.

Kim Silver Consulting Editor

Judith Dela Cuesta, Editor delacuej@lsbu.ac.uk

Russell Goodwin Nicola Bullock Digital Skills Training

Find out more at: lsbu.ac.uk Email: course.enquiry@lsbu.ac.uk Tel: 0800 923 8888

The Law Society Activities Talks from invited legal professionals

Chris Mitchell



Marketing



Martin Clarke



Mooting Competitions– internal and external

Printing



Street Law Project



Charity Events



Social Events – Christmas Dinner and Summer Party

Trips to the Supreme Court, Houses of Parliament, a military tribunal, ECHR Strasbourg and CJEU Luxembourg

The Student Law Society Officers 2015-2016

London South Bank University v South London Law Society Junior Division Friendly Moot

The Law Society members share a sense of camaraderie amongst peers whilst reading law. The Society offers fun, skills building, community building endeavours and a chance to interact with legal professionals.

By Matthew Quigley

Kyle Johnson, President

On 8

October, our university took part in a friendly

moot against the South London Law Society Junior Division. The moot problem concerned stress in the work place, and the employee had suffered a nervous breakdown because of her stress. The court at first instance found in her favour and held the Council liable.

Kyle Johnson,

Bright Shine Sedziafa, Vice– President

Presidentjohnsk17@lsbu.ac.uk

shineb@lsbu.ac.uk

Pris Adefisoye, Welfare Officer adefisop@lsbu.ac.uk

Trish Nyamunama, Welfare Officer nyamunat@lsbu.ac.uk

Dauda Sesay, Treasurer sesayd3@lsbu.ac.uk

Alexandra Varga, Mooting Coordinator

Matthew Quigley, Co-Editor, The Devil’s Advocate

Glenda Gapare, Co-Editor, The Devil’s Advocate

delacuej@lsbu.ac.uk

quigleym@lsbu.ac.uk

gapareg@lsbu.ac.uk

The moot was followed by a reception, which was a good time to network with the South London Law Society Junior Division and to pick the trainee The Council appealed on the basis that the court had solicitors’ brains about training contracts and the LPC. It was also great to see a good turnout of students erred in their application of Coxall v Goodyear Great there to watch the moot, a few of whom were eager to Britain Ltd [2002] EWCA CIV 1010 and that they had also erred in their application of the Fairchild principle, get involved with mooting. and that for occupational stress it is a simple “but for” test and not a relaxed version of it.

Janine Cassells Airley, Secretary cassellj@lsbu.ac.uk

Angela Pratt, Charity Events Coordinator

vargaa2@lsbu.ac.uk

Judith Dela Cuesta, Co-Editor, The Devil’s Advocate

Chris Kurt-Gabel and Brendan Fitzsimons, acting as counsel for the appellant, represented our university. Both sides provided compelling arguments, but the team from London South Bank won the law, with very good points put forward concerning the law. They warned against the relaxation of the “but for” test and argued that it was far too onerous to impose a duty upon employers to dismiss employees for the sake of their health, for as Chris stated, “If such a duty was imposed, the wheels of industry would fall off.”

pratta2@lsbu.ac.uk

Bankole Allen, Street Law Coordinator bankolea@lsbu.ac.uk

E ve n t s D i a r y The Law Society

 Inner Temple– Tour and Lunch - 02 December 2015; Contact : Bright at shineb@lsbu.ac.uk  ECHR (Strasbourg) and CJEU (Luxemburg) Trips - 3-4 February 2016; Contact Bright at shineb@lsbu.ac.uk T h e L a w D i vi s i o n

 Inspired by Law: inaugural launch event of our gallery of inspiring lawyers with Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, former President of the Law Society, Professor Akua Kuenyehia, formerly of the International Criminal Court and Diana Nammi, human rights campaigner. Tuesday, 17th November, 6pm, Keyworth Event Theatre, fully booked

Photos courtesy of Sophie Selby

Snaps from the Friendly Moot

 Helping Others, a Being Human Festival conference, Friday, 20th November

PROFESSOR J CRAIG BARKER

missing in his academic life. So, when LSBU offered the post, he jumped at the opportunity.

Dean, School of Law and Social Sciences, London South Bank University

J Craig Barker: Dean of the

School of Law and Social Sciences, LSBU

By Judith dela Cuesta

Last year, when the university reorganised its

He feels that the students at LSBU highly value pursuing their degree. Given that they have various commitments in their lives and yet they come to attend their lectures and take part in student life, he feels that the “students are here not just to earn the degree and string along the highest mark they could get to put them in good stead to apply for City law firms”. He also emphasised that because a law degree is a ubiquitous degree, it will prepare the students not only to become lawyers but “it will open many, many doors to the students.”

Whilst in university, another major event took place in London which would capture his intellectual thirst for an answer and radically changed his position in the debate that ensued thereafter. Yvonne Fletcher was killed by a gunman firing from the Libyan embassy and he was intrigued on how the law seemed to defend the shooter rather than the police officer who was killed. To look at the question deeper and with funding from the Scottish government, the topic became the subject of his PhD dissertation. Amongst other findings, this brought home the importance of diplomatic law and diplomatic immunity of representatives of one country in foreign countries. He said whilst the law can be abused and it needs tightening in light of the Yvonne Fletcher shooting, “diplomatic law is there to protect, for example, British representatives on foreign soil just as foreign representatives are protected in this country.”

charity events. He emphasised the importance of developing skills acquired through extracurricular activities as this is not only good for writing the CV, but also in preparation for work after graduation.

Lastly, he has plans for the School especially in the cooperation of the departments in thinking together how to address social justice and global responsibility. He said as lawyers we already have an idea of social justice and how to bring it about. But, as an international lawyer, he felt frustrated that although we have an international system like the UN and other international organisations to foster peace and security on a global scale, he said: “…yet we can’t prevent conflicts in parts of the world such as Syria, Libya, Asked how he will enhance the student experience of the Central Africa and Middle East.” He continued university, he answered that the university is already passionately saying: “we, in the West, have the much doing a great job. He gave as examples: the pioneering maligned responsibility to protect and … the world and award winning LSBU legal advice clinic – by which community can and should act together not to attack he was very impressed and had tried to establish one side to another in a conflict but to go in and stop the something similar at Sussex University - along with the fighting and killing.” He said we should have a more county court help desk and work placements in local law ethical standpoint. “Despite politics, religion and firms and legal departments of local councils. He economics which may divide us, we owe it to everyone mentioned that the present CILEX route - available to to offer a peaceful solution to world problems.” He LSBU law students - is another route to becoming a asked the question next: “Is it highly idealistic?” And he solicitor aside from getting the highly competitive training answered unapologetically saying: contract.

These events were the springboard of his interest in international law allowing him to write and become an academic authority in the field. Since then, his academic interests have widened to include international criminal law, international commercial law, jurisdiction and immunities and law and responsibility.

“Why shouldn’t we be idealistic? We’re

However, he said: “there is always room for lawyers. Why can’t we do the good that law improvement” to enhance the experience of can do to bring peace into the world?” students. As an example, he wanted the other departments in his remit to emulate the achievements of the law society as a medium for students to gain And with that thoughtful question lingering in the air, the extracurricular experience through its varied activities all interview came to an end. year round such as mooting, social events, talks and lectures given by invited leading lawyers, community and

academic departments, seven schools were created, including the School of Law and Social Sciences. The school is headed by a dean in the person of J Craig Barker. He was interviewed by the Next, after he obtained his PhD, and urged by his editor of the law magazine last August. Here is what doctor grandfather saying: “if he had the law degree then he must become a solicitor,” he became a solicitor transpired in that interview. passing the LPC and undertaking the training contract. He trained in corporate law but found practice uninspiring. He was keen to point out that he did not First, Dean Barker’s road to law was a novelty to his family of medical doctors in Scotland. From an early want to put people off doing a training contract, but at the same time he wanted to put people off “thinking age, he was fascinated with law and its power to working in the city is what life is all about” because, he change people’s lives, akin to, as he said, “being a medical doctor saving people’s lives but in a different said, “it is not.” manner.” After the training contract, he was offered a lectureship in the University of Reading in Berkshire and enjoyed it He was seventeen when he enrolled in Glasgow so much he stayed there for eleven years. In 2004, he University and chose international law as an option became professor of international law at Sussex as he could not envisage himself reading the only University until his appointment with London South other available option at that time, Roman law even though this was considered the foundation of Scottish Bank University last year. law. He was captivated by his first lecture - the legality of the Falkland Islands’ British invasion. And he said from then on, he was hooked on international Dean Craig said while he undoubtedly enjoyed his stay at Sussex University, he felt that something was law!

Photo courtesy of Tracey Chumley

The Law Society Typhoon Haiyan Awareness and Fundraising Event 2013 6

The Law Society Street Law Project at Croydon College 2014

PROFESSOR JUDGE WOLFGANG SCHOMBURG

To start with the last question: Even though the courts have their seats very close to each other in The Hague, the task vested to both cannot be more different. The ICJ has to resolve conflicts between states; international criminal tribunals have to decide on the individual guilt of alleged individual perpetrators.

Former Permanent Judge for the UN International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, The Hague, Netherlands

social injustice between poor and rich I became aware of in my immediate neighbourhood. In short: the awareness of injustice made it abundantly clear that it is to fight for more justice on all levels, knowing that there is never perfect justice.

Interview Special

Professor Judge Wolfgang Schomburg

Legal work is about human beings. It should never be seen as and Criminal Justice. academic grey theory alone. He has published numerous articles Primarily it is about equality of mostly on criminal matters in Germany human beings; in particular equality rofessor Judge Wolfgang and in other countries. before the law and equal access to Schomburg studied at Freie the judiciary. It started with the fight Universität in Berlin, Germany and Q: What motivated you to become a also to prosecute people in higher the London School of Economics in lawyer? What is it about legal work that places, be it in economics, in really grabs you? London. He started his career as politics, in the military, in short trying Public Prosecutor continuing into to bring an end to unaccountability. A: The desire to become a lawyer Senior Public Prosecutor in Berlin was never in my life a question before (West). He served as me. I saw and felt so much injustice on Q: What interested you to apply as Undersecretary of State at the the domestic environment as well as at an international tribunal judge for the Senate Justice Department in International Criminal Tribunal for the Berlin and later as a Federal Judge the global level. former Yugoslavia- ICTY? at the German Federal High Court No doubt that in the forefront the A: I never decided to apply myself. in Karlsruhe, southwest Germany. continuing consequences of the I was asked by the German Throughout his illustrious career, heinous crimes committed by he has served in the executive as Germans under the Nazi regime were Government if I was prepared and willing to be nominated to stand well as judicial branches of the predominant. It was in particular the candidate before the General German government as well as a awareness that up to the sixties the private lawyer in international elder generation in power did not care Assembly of the United Nations as a judge for the ICTY. Having worked criminal matters assisting clients at all about the fate of alleged (victims and suspects) in other perpetrators during WW II amongst us. for years (since 1983) in the area of international criminal law, I had no countries. It was the injustice committed by chance to reject this offer. It was the In the international scene, in 2001, Russians against former social unique opportunity to work in the he was elected Permanent Judge democrats by depriving them of liberty first ever established international for the (UN) International Tribunal or even killing them in former Nazi criminal court not established by the for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Concentration Camps, now used until victorious powers as it was in by the UN General Assembly in 1949 for their own purposes. My own Nuremberg after WW II, the The Hague, The Netherlands and grandfather became victim of this new intellectual predecessor of ICTY and in 2003, he was elected Permanent dictatorship in East-Germany. The ICTR. Judge of the Appeals Chamber the “crime” he committed was not to shake International Tribunal for Rwanda hands with the communists, at that Q: On what do international tribunals (ICTR) Arusha, Tanzania. time the birth establishing the depend for (a) their legitimacy and (b) separatist GDR. their effectiveness? Is there a widely Since 2009 he was appointed

By Judith dela Cuesta and Akim Tejan Cole

Honorary Professor at Durham University in the north of England and since 2008 currently chairs the university’s Centre for Criminal Law

It was the injustice of the German judiciary sheltering former perpetrators by inacceptable jurisprudence. It was also the

recognised code of international criminal offences? And procedures? How is the international tribunal court similar or different from the UN International Court of Justice?

As regards legitimacy, it is the acceptance by the international community as a whole and in particular the fact that impartial justice is seen to be done by citizens in the area of a criminal court’s responsibility.

establishing new and unknown proceedings? This also holds true for ICTR and Rwanda. Apparently this is a highly political question in the attempt to impose a certain legal system wherever possible.

How are those who offend against

international criminal law detected and charged? What are the criteria for inclusion or exclusion? What is the origin or legal basis for detecting and charging? Is the process dependent on cooperation between national agencies? Are there transnational agencies? Do they have the powers and resources they need?

One of the main shortcomings of

international criminal tribunals is that they have no tools to apprehend alleged perpetrators and search for evidence by their own police. Thus, they are dependent on effective cooperation by states. Tribunals are clocks without hands or to quote There is indeed a widely recognised Cassese “bodies without hands and set of international criminal offences legs”. either to be found in international In times of modern technologies and treaties or conventions, or intelligence it is relatively easy to enshrined in state practice that has detect the allegedly responsible one’. become beyond reasonable doubt For obvious reasons international customary international law. criminal courts can only deal with high Examples are the Convention for ranking accused. As a consequence at the prevention and punishment of the same time in a period of transition, the crime of genocide of 1948 and it is also for the international the four Geneva Conventions community to establish and to support together with two additional domestic judiciary, dealing with the protocols. huge amount of remaining cases. Finally, the clash of procedures “... there is no peace between Anglo-American law (common law) and continental law without justice and no (civil law) to be found in Europe but justice without truth.” also inter alia in China, South America and Rwanda is detrimental The legal basis for charging and the to the effectiveness of international work of the tribunals as such is criminal courts. It is difficult to digest Chapter VII of the Charter of the why e.g. ICTY did not work on the United Nations allowing for measures basis of continental law, knowing to establish and maintain peace. that all the addressees of Accordingly the mantra of international proceedings are acquainted with tribunals is, that there is no peace this legal system. Why was it without justice and no justice without necessary to be confronted with the truth. In the first instance tribunals even more intrusive measure of have a truth finding mission aiming at As regards effectiveness, the litmus test is to hear expeditious trials in a way that can be understood by the ordinary citizen. It is not, or, better, it shall never become, an academic exercise.

coming as close as possible to justice and as a consequence to peace. As said earlier, all participants in an international procedure are dependent on effective cooperation with willing states. There are no such transnational agencies yet, apart from say Interpol, Europol, Eurojust, of course Intelligence if willing to share knowledge, or other searching tools like the Schengen Information System.

How is it easy for those who

This is a problem of serious

How is the 'circle of victims' to

The term “victims” has to be

offend international criminal law norms to hide in a country that international law finds it hard to reach?

criminal law in general; however, also international criminal tribunals profit from an enhanced international cooperation in criminal matters on sub regional, regional, and global level. For ICTY this has, in particular thanks to the support of European Union, not been too serious a problem. At the end of ICTY nobody – guilty or not guilty was missing as subject of procedures who in the very beginning was on the list of wanted persons.

be defined in international criminal law? Those injured physically? Psychologically? Their families? Does international criminal law ever compensate victims?

defined on a case by case basis. Attempt has been made by the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) to also compensate victims. Personally I am strictly against this attempt. A selection of victims out of a hundred thousand must be arbitrary. It also means to overburden the workload of tribunals, having already difficulties to cope with the workload

emanating from fair criminal proceedings. Compensation always should be seen as a civil matter to be adjudicated on a case by case basis by courts in civil matters. Further, practice shows that the mere existence of international tribunals in former areas without justice is seen as a huge advantage by victims. This is an advantage in particular by victims having had the unique chance to tell “their own story”, and to be confronted with the alleged former perpetrators in front of the global society when these persons stand trial, broadcast all over the world.

situation in the former Yugoslavia if those brought to justice in The Hague would still be in office and continue with the crimes they have been found guilty of? ICTY has shown that in case there is a political will, it is also possible to bring peace by enforcement of law instead of or assisted by military intervention.

What might international

It will no longer focus on

Custos Placitorum Coronae

criminal law look like in 50 years’ time?

international humanitarian law and other crimes at present enshrined in the Rome-Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The preventive effect of criminal courts can never be proven. However, I have no doubt that adequate serious sentences meted out will serve to a certain degree as measure of general deterrence. Today a person about to commit serious crimes will think twice whether it is worth to run the risk later to stand trial for the acts planned.

Hopefully the international community will come to accept that it is high time for the establishment of courts dealing with internationally recognised transnational crimes. These crimes are in particular crimes against the global environment, trafficking in human beings, in particular women and Q: Who can defend the accused in children, trafficking with illicit the tribunals? Funded by the Further, an incredible work has been weapons of mass destruction, cyber defendants or the International done in the development of crime, piracy and other crimes tribunal court? international criminal law, for the first committed on high sea, to mention time tested by reality and not only by A: Each defence counsel with only a few. These crimes are noble thoughts of legal writers. adequate forensic experience can already today punishable under be listed with a tribunal’s registry. Q: To the law students of today, what international law in a broader The accused is entitled to have advice would you give to enable them to sense. It is scandalous that the defence counsel of own choosing as achieve their desired goal to become a international community accepts the a fundamental human right commission of these crimes eyes lawyer and work in international tribunals? enshrined inter alia in European wide open without any adequate Convention Human Rights (ECHR) prosecution. A: A three step approach: and International Covenant on Civil Q: If you had three wishes for and Political Rights (ICCPR). 1. To learn the basics about courtroom reality and working behind the scenes change, what would they be? Q: What has been the impact of the on the respective domestic level. A: 1. Strengthening the United international tribunal courts so far? On the prevention of crimes? On 2. To learn and practise the basics of Nations, in particular by the development of international international cooperation in criminal reorganisation of Security Council. court proceedings, elements of matters. No doubt that in time of 2. An independent, impartial crime, i.e., concepts of grave globalisation this field of law will have international judiciary worth its breaches, specific offences on a great future, even greater than the name and able to reject any kind of torture, extermination, enslavement work in international tribunals. and deportation, subjective and political influence. objective elements of crime against 3. Even though it might be difficult to 3. A world, well organized by humanity. step down from an already achieved competent politicians, lawmakers of professionalism and income, and judges (extension of A: The main impact has to be seen level apply for an internship or a post on P2 in that it is possible to also bring to Montesquieu’s ideal on the level at an International Tribunal. justice those having been never in division of powers) based on a the focus of a judiciary, those having Additionally, an international LLM or peaceful world (as far as Ph.D. will assist, in particular when never dreamt about being possible), the prerequisite that confronted with the law, believing to achieved in institutions like United Nations Interregional Crime and be untouchable and immune from we shall overcome. Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in criminal proceedings. Torino or alike. About peace: What would be the

Wynne Edwin Baxter, Ian Milne, Leonard Gorodkin, Bryan North. I am certain that these are not names that would come to mind while learning the news of a notorious criminal. Jack the Ripper, Mrs. Frances Shea (wife of the infamous ‘Kray Twin’ brother, Reginald), Suzanne Jane Capper, Pauline Reade (Moors Murder victim); these may be familiar to you as famous criminal murder cases in the UK. While learning the news of scandalous criminal cases, questions that arise frequently, concern the mental state of the named criminals, their motive, the victim, and the details of the inquest being held for the deceased. However, how many people are aware of the reason for an inquest, and who ‘Coroners’ are, and what is their jurisdiction? In the medieval ages, coroners acted in an ultra vires manner. They would try and sentence cases. Up until the Magna Carta, Chapter 24 (“no sheriff, constable, coroners, or other royal officials are to hold lawsuits that should be held by the royal justices.”), this practice was feasible. All coroner appointments are now made by the relevant Local Authority in charge of the coroner area for which the senior coroner has responsibility. Coroners appointed before 2013 could be lawyers or doctors; a few are both. (https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/related-offices-and-bodies/ office-chief-coroner). The main legislation that governs the coronial legal system is the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, together with the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, and the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013. Coroners have the power to serve summons, arrest, hold inquests concerning treasure, sequester juries, and investigate deaths.

violent in nature mostly. There is an array of death categories in which coroners have held inquests in, such as: hospital, road, deaths in custody, care homes, mental health related, community health care and emergency services related, accidents at work and health and safety related, alcohol drug and medication, and police procedures. Where there has been a death in a prison, or another custodial place, the coroner will have automatic jurisdiction, and may start the inquest as promptly as possible. Coroners have the right to adjudicate in inquests. These inquests can be heard by the coroners themselves (and A coroner has a responsibility to hold an inquest into the death of the deceased. The coroner has six months from the date of the death that had been reported, to complete the inquest.

usually are), or if need be, they have the authority to summon a jury. Deaths which have occurred in prisons or at other custodial premises mostly have a jury present during inquest hearings. Hearings are adjourned until all investigations have been completed. The inquest will only be concluded once the interested persons have been permitted to do so. Juries are usually given a limited number of categories to conclude from; however coroners can now give narrative conclusions. Coroners are not limited in inquest conclusions. The final inquest hearing will be a public hearing. It is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta this year; the imperial piece of legislation that originated from England and is the base of a democratic society in countries such as United States of America and Africa. Our coronial system has been passed on to many countries since the Norman Conquest and forms a symbolic part of the democratic culture we live in, just as much as the Magna Carta.

There is so much that we have yet to discover about the original coroners’ duties, dating back 800 years. We can surely see that it has been of significance, hence the system has continued through to this century. The British Empire initiated these systems in many countries around Coroners now have a duty to compose reports for relevant the globe. Today it is the ground of a careful investigation organisations, authorities, and persons. This is to aid the for uncertain deaths. relevant bodies in preventing future misconduct, and take preventative measures to ensure the level of risk decreases. Reports of these inquests are published by By Poonam Sehmbi the Chief Coroner (His Honour Judge Peter Thornton QC) on www.judiciary.gov.uk, under ‘Prevent Future Deaths’. There are two imperative reasons for investigating unnatural deaths: establish the reasons for the death of the deceased to their family and to the public; and to report these cases to the Chief Coroner.

Coroners are notified of deaths that are unnatural and 1111

DR FIONA WILCOX Senior Coroner for Westminster washed up in the Thames with no identification documents on them? So identity can be an issue. Furthermore we have to find out how, when and where the death occurred. How is usually the most contentious question. For most inquests, in order to answer the question of how we look at the direct sequence of events that lead to cause the death. But if it’s an inquest where the state may be implicated in By Leasha Newman some way or it can be argued that the state has not maintained a person’s right to life, so Article 2 of the HRA becomes engaged, the remit of the r Fiona Wilcox is the Senior coroner is wider. It is not just the Coroner for Westminster. She is sequence of events that lead to the dual qualified as both a doctor and a death but also the circumstances in barrister. She spent 21 years as a which the death occurred. And also our city GP and has practised as a final conclusions can be wider if barrister in criminal law, personal deemed appropriate on the evidence injury and clinical negligence. that we hear. We can sometimes record answers to questions that Thank you for taking the time weren’t directly causative of the death but are still important matters in issue in out of your busy schedule to the evidence. allow me to interview you.

journey to becoming senior coroner of Westminster?

F: I was an inner city GP, working in

Bethnal Green. As part of my GP training in the late 80’s, because I’m very old, I went down to visit Poplar coroner’s court and I observed some post mortem examinations, some inquests and I spoke to the coroner. I found it absolutely fascinating. I stored it in the back of my brain to come to later as I decided that dealing with death day in day out was not a young person’s game. It’s good fun. We are independent judicial officers, what we do is utterly fascinating. I then stored it in the back of my brain, and when I reached the point where I felt I had taken general practice as far as I wanted to do, I resigned from being a full time partner in general practice. I then retrained in the law because at that time you could still be a coroner as long as you had at least 5 years’ experience as a doctor. But we knew So basically we investigate deaths that under the Coroners and Justice Act You are very welcome. are important to us and we derive our this was going to change. So to jurisdiction from the body lying within qualify as a coroner you would have I believe that there is a our jurisdiction. So the body has to be to have 5 years legal practice as a common misconception as to in one of my four boroughs, irrespective solicitor or a barrister. So anticipating what a coroner is; could you tell of where the death arose. So that’s the new act to come, I became a us about your role? where the jurisdiction comes from, salaried GP, did my CP at City where the body is lying at the time the University then looked at the cost of We are essentially death is reported rather than when the doing the bar exams and fainted investigators. We have jurisdiction death occurred. So we investigate because it was too expensive. But I to investigate deaths that are unnatural deaths that occurred abroad managed to get an introduction and unnatural, cause unknown or deaths for example. Or the body may be became an assistant deputy coroner that occur in custody or whilst washed up in my jurisdiction in the river in East London, then I had the detained under the Mental Health Thames but the death may have justification to do my bar exam. I then Act or Mental Incapacity Acts. Our occurred further up the Thames. So it is did the bar exams, qualified as a role is to perform an investigation to where the body is lying. We are barrister, did a pupillage in Lamb find the answer to four important but investigators, we investigate the building then was lucky enough to be limited legal questions. deaths, we then call and examine our taken on as a tenant in Lamb First, who was the person who has own evidence, then sum up and reach Building. In the background I was still conclusions either with or without the died? Identity sometimes is not an working as a GP locum to pay the help of a jury. issue but sometimes it is really rent, and also to broaden my difficult. What if you just have a part experience. I applied for and Could you tell us about your of a body? Or someone who has managed to get other assistant

An Interview with Fiona Wilcox

deputy coroner positions. So I was also assistant deputy coroner in North London, Southwark and Kent. I actually had a really broad range of experience and then started to apply for full time coroner jobs. And I was lucky enough to get Westminster. For me it’s the perfect job because it brings medicine, law, analytics and practical reasoning altogether in one place. I really enjoy it and you never know what the next report is going to bring you. You never know how a case is going to go, even though you may have done a lot of work for it, until you actually get in court and start taking the evidence. For me the best thing about it is that it always matters. Someone has died. You actually can’t get more important than that. I find that when you deal with people involved with the death, be they the train driver of someone who has jumped in front of them, be they the bereaved family, be they the doctor, most people, by far and away just act with the utmost dignity and respect for the purpose and process of the investigation. It’s actually humbling to work with them as often they are very emotionally distressed but they get on and deal with it to try and assist the process.

L: You may have already answered this but what made you want to enter the legal profession after practising as a GP?

F: Firstly because I thought I

found it really tough. You do need the law as well. But also I really don’t understand how people who are just lawyers manage to do the job because so much of my decision making and my questioning and my investigation is based on my background medical knowledge, of course as well as applying the appropriate legal tests.

L: What would you say is the

understand the circumstances in which the death occurred. And also people are pleased and eased a little if they think that lessons can be learnt from the death. It might prevent other deaths.

L: What advice would you give to young law students entering the profession?

entering the profession in law or hardest part of your job and what do you enjoy the most? in the coroners’ field?

F: The hardest part of my job is time L: Maybe in both?

management or just getting more work done. First thing in the morning when I come in there are always a large number of forms for me to review, decisions for me to take and things for me to sign. I have to manage my own diary and try and bring cases into court and try to have them completed in a reasonable and proper time and juggling all of that in a climate of reducing resources but increasing demand is very difficult at times. That is definitely the hardest part of my job. Meeting the targets and also making sure that things are heard in the proper time scale so that the evidence doesn’t become stale and you can have a proper enquiry. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to do that since the new Coroners and Justice Act. More of my cases have complex legal issues and more of my cases are now jury cases and so are far more demanding on resources than they used to be.

Nothing we do is going to bring that needed the legal skills to qualify but person back or lessen someone’s In fact I’m really glad that I did do it bereavement but sometimes I think it because dealing with court, can be easy for someone to cope with examining witnesses, applying the cases and applying the law, I would The best part of my job not have been able to do, in my is getting to the end of a view, in a jurisdiction which is difficult complex inquest and without having had the legal seeing that people in qualification and I find that the the room have gained a combination of medicine and law better understanding of does give me the full range of skills what happened. that I need. And had I only had the medicine I think that in such a complex jurisdiction I would have the bereavement if at least they can

F: In law, work hard. There is no

substitute for actually doing the preparation and getting down and doing it. And they are good life skills that will see you through for the rest of your life. There is some luck involved but mostly life is about getting on and doing it. Having ambition and working towards that ambition. Don’t be put off by other people or what other people say - if you apply for something the worst that can happen is somebody says no, but if you don’t apply you will never get anywhere. And that’s the best advice I would give. I think things are very tricky now in the legal aid fields and I just don’t know how junior barristers can make a living in those areas anymore and that will be a real loss to the legal process. I have concerns about that.

In relation to coronial law, if people want to become coroners I would advise them that they do take some sort of medical qualification.

There are good courses that you can go to that are run by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, by the Faculty of Legal and Forensic Medicine that would give you some background. And this would help lawyers who are working in the

1313

criminal jurisdictions or family law, and within, obviously, medical professional negligence. There are so many medical issues involved, pathological, forensic, or just proper clinical management that will help. Try and visit coroners’ courts, try and think like an investigator rather than someone presenting a case as that is what we are doing. We are trying to find the answers to questions, it isn’t an adversarial process. Go out and visit different coroners’ courts, try to speak to different coroners most of them are really approachable. Most of them work in different ways. Get out there and see what’s happening and ask questions.

L: What skills do you think are most important for law students?

remember complex pieces of case law and remember the cases but you have to be able to apply them. So it is applying all that knowledge that’s in your head and making it real to the circumstances in front of you, to the real matters and issues in the case you are having to deal with. I think that is really important. And just being prepared to work hard but also its not just working hard you have to balance that with a social life. So it’s really important that whilst I’ve said carry on and work hard, preparation, preparation, preparation, you also do need to know when to switch off. You do need to know that sometimes you close the door and leave the work behind you and go and do something that’s fun. It doesn’t matter what, just something fun.

F: Reasoning. Obviously you have L: Finally, who has been the most

to be able to remember things to

F: That’s really difficult. That’s very

difficult because I can talk of other senior coroners that I have learnt an enormous amount from. I can talk about Bernard Richmond the silk who oversaw my training at Lamb Building. And I would say that he was incredibly influential. I also have other people who I know within the profession, for example Lord David Beanie who has just gone to the Court of Appeal. I have watched him work and I have discussed legal issues with him in quite a reflective style which I find quite engaging and he is someone whom I have learnt a lot from. So it is very hard to say and also I must say I am a complete lover of Lord Denning.

L: Thank you for taking the time to

speak to me.

influential figure in the legal sector for you?

Book Review:

Iain Morley QC’s: The Devil’s Advocate, 3rd Edition

I’ve gone on long enough! If this hasn’t convinced you to at least read the book then simply read the reviews from practitioners and students across the world who have found this book to be the best advocacy text they have ever read. To conclude, as made clear throughout

skills needed to be an effective advocate as opposed to just a good one, all the way to the practical skills needed when working in a career centralised around advocacy. The book provides a humorous and informative approach to the study and teaching of advocacy that very few books provide. If this book has taught me anything, it is that advocacy is as much a skill as it is an art and requires refinement to be better at it.

the article, I strongly recommend this text to any law student, whether you aspire to become a member of the bar, a solicitor or any other career path as the lessons learnt will no doubt help you become a better professional as well as an efficient advocate.

By Brendan Fitzsimons

communication skills are needed to represent your client.

My experience of mooting at LSBU By Claire Bradford

Last year I decided to sign myself up for the internal

An explanatory note that must be made is that despite the book being written by a criminal law barrister with 25 years’ experience and geared towards practice at the t is increasingly difficult to find quality texts relating to criminal bar, it is not limited to this and, as the author advocacy skills but there is one which stands head and states, ‘many of the rules apply to the courtroom in civil shoulders above the rest. I will be reviewing what I would practice too’. So don’t be put off by the initial consider one of the best, if not the best, advocacy books appearance and don’t judge it by its cover. you will find in the United Kingdom. Described by the The highlight of what makes this such a good advocacy author as a spry polemic on how to be seriously good in text is that it reads not like a textbook, with lots of court, it certainly lives up to that description. information and or a piece of journalism with no clear The Devil’s Advocate is, in my opinion, a must-have for purpose, but more like a captivating lecture. When law practitioner and law student alike. Iain Morley takes reading through the text it truly feels as if the author is a fresh approach to writing about advocacy. He does talking directly to you, thereby establishing a personal this by examining and explaining advocacy as an art in a relationship that facilitates absorption of the lessons it way which makes it a pleasure not a chore to read teaches. Whilst some of what is said may seem like about. Many people may ask “Why would I need to read common sense, it is the simpler aspects of advocacy a book on advocacy when I’m reasonably good which get forgotten more often than is desirable. For already?”. There are chapters on learning advocacy, the example, the stance when presenting in a courtroom or

a moot, or pronunciation, the little things that can sometimes slip and make an advocate less persuasive and effective make the world of difference. From personal experience, the tips from this book made me a much more confident and stronger advocate than before I had read the book and made me much more comfortable in what is, as most of you would understand, an often unsettling environment.

mooting competition at LSBU after attending mooting workshops ran by Paul Wynell-Sutherland. The final of this competition was held in October 2015 at Inner London Crown Court and I was really pleased to come first place alongside my mooting partner Max Short. However, as nice as it was to win, I have gained much more out of mooting at LSBU than simply an award. Participating in mooting offers you as a law student, the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the law and also to develop one’s public speaking skills. This is important whether or not you wish to pursue a career in law and is of course vital if you are wanting to become either a solicitor or barrister because excellent

I felt that I developed my confidence and public-speaking ability at every stage of the competition as I gained greater confidence in my abilities. Mooting really does therefore offer you the opportunity to steadily improve your advocacy skills. Teamwork is very important to being a successful mooter, as you will work alongside your competition partner- with a junior and senior advocate for each side. It can be daunting to speak in front of a judge and present your argument and with regards to this, the more prepared you are the better you will deal with questioning from the judge. There are several rounds to the mooting competition held by LSBU with of course the end goal being a place in the final. However, I would encourage you to measure your personal achievement not purely by success in the competition but by what skills you have learnt and the improvement made in your advocacy ability. So why not take the first step and attend a mooting workshop because you may be pleasantly surprised by how much mooting has to offer you in terms of personal development which, can also help you achieve academic success.

Max Short and Claire Bradford, winners of the LSBU Law Society final internal mooting competition held at Inner Crown Court London. Joe Lambert and Esther Akinfewa were on the opposing side.

1515

The Rule of Law in America: An English Perspective

The legal system of the USA is similar to the English

behind the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK; however it goes beyond the tight net that the Act created. Whereas the Proceeds of Crime Act requires the conviction of the defendant before a court order can be issued, and from there steps are taken to ensure that the assets seized are used to compensate victims rather than bulk out police budgets. This in essence makes it a secure system to protect the individual rights of citizens and it also prevents abuse. If there is anything that needs to be taken from this, it is that reform is needed in the US as civil forfeiture not only contradicts the rule of law, but it also challenged the ideas behind their own constitution, namely the fourth amendment which is to protect people against unreasonable searches or seizures of property.

Student Success:

Leasha Newman

Leasha Newman graduated with a

last July and she has started her Legal Practice Course (LPC) this September with a scholarship from the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme in support of her LPC. She is a recipient of the Sweet and Maxwell Law prize in her first year for best performing, continuing student on the full time LLB course. Leasha Newman was the editor of this magazine last year.

The second issue that is to be highlighted in this discussion concerns police accountability and oversight for their actions. Under the formulation of the rule of law by Dicey, it was stated that there needs to be equality before the law. An example of this is the incident in Ferguson, where a police officer shot and The first issue that will be discussed is that of civil killed an unarmed person because the officer forfeiture, which is where the police can seize property suspected he was involved with a crime and armed. if they suspect someone of a crime. The burden of The killing in itself should be considered an unlawful proof in many states is not that of ‘beyond reasonable act, however they were not prosecuted. doubt’, and, with this, the idea of a fair trial is This had established one rule for the police, and undermined and the situation is only made worse by another for civilians, which undermines justice and that the case is not taken against the person but without a proper investigation and oversight of the use against the property, and as a result it becomes of firearms by the police, more incidents like the one in increasingly difficult to challenge the case. Ferguson have occurred, and, without some of The arguments behind civil forfeiture have some merit, investigation and disciplinary action for those involved, such as contributing to the budgets of an underfunded it would seem that they will continue to occur. police force. However the evidence seems to point From this one thing can be drawn from these two towards an abuse of such a system, with police striking situations is that the legal foundations of the precincts using the money to buy things that they do not need. During the Citizen’s Police Review hearing US are being undermined by the system that is supposed to enforce the law and protect innocent in the state of Missouri back in 2012, the fact there is citizens from crime, and it is no wonder that the police no limitation on what police can spend the money on was highlighted, which shows how the system is open are now treated with as much suspicion as those who seem likely to commit an offence. Legal reform seems to abuse and it was stated that by a local police chief to be necessary to bring it more in line with their own that they would spend the money on “Something that constitutional values and the rule of law. is nice to have.” legal system, being based upon the core principles of the rule of law, but there have been situations within some US states that appear to contradict the rule of law. The issue of civil forfeiture is one of them, and the other is the complete lack of police accountability.

Further evidence that the system was being abused was found in an investigation carried out by the Washington Post, which highlighted that since 2001 $2.5 billion in cash alone has been seized through civil forfeiture laws. This highlights how easy it is to seize property when there is no effective recourse against it, especially when the burden is reversed and those affected by the incident have to prove the innocence of the property.

Asked in an interview on her journey as a law student at London South Bank University (LSBU), Leasha was reminiscent of her very good GCSE and A Level in law and how excited she was when she attended her classes in law. She took a gap year and later attended Birbeck University for a certificate in higher education in legal methods sealing her intention to read law. Her father significantly encouraged her to delve into looking at the different kinds of subjects and practice in law to give her an overview of the profession. With her good grades coupled with her interest in law, she embarked on the degree at LSBU. Asked why she chose LSBU, she recalled that it was her father who was attending the university’s foundation program in engineering, his enthusiasm for his course and his good feedback of the university that made her come on an Open Day, where she met law lecturer Kim Silver and Beverley Sowah (former law student and editor of this magazine). She remembered they were speaking about LSBU law students as having the opportunity to give general legal advice to members of the public in the LSBU Legal Advice Clinic and the distinctiveness of the working in the law module compared to other universities offering the degree. But for Leasha, an avid football fan, the discussion on sports law as on option module was the one that enticed her to study here. Talking about the scholarship which she was informed drew several hundreds of applicants and only 20 progressed into the interview stage, she sighed with relief and said she was lucky to be one of the 20 interviewees. Before the interview, she said she did not know how to prepare for it as it was not like other interviews she has experienced before. But she knew that she had to know all the inside out of the answers

By Matthew Quigley

The ideas of civil forfeiture are very similar to those

first class degree

she has given in her application and that was what buoyed her during the interview. She recalled that she was very nervous and later thought that, after leaving the interview room, the interview had not gone well and that she hesitated in some of her answers or that her answers were not good enough. A day or two after the interview, the news came that only 10 applicants were accepted for the scholarship and she was one of them. She was so happy for the opportunity as well as the financial weight off her shoulder for the cost of the study. Included in her scholarship, Leasha will be given work placement in law firms supporting the Scheme and a solicitor/ mentor to guide her during her study. She chose to go to law school for two days and work on some days as she said the scholarship does not cover living costs. She continued that as early as the first days of the LPC, she observed with determination that law school will be a wake-up call for law students. If in the undergraduate level, it was fine to relax – at law school, you have to hit the ground running. And lastly, she gave some pointers for undergraduate law students on how to get on with a degree based from her experience.



Time management is important as it will help you achieve a good balance of your schedules. Work what is best for you. I tend to study in the morning. And then quit and do something else just to get my mind off from the readings. And then crack on again in the night.



During revision time, consolidate your materials from seminars, lectures, workshops and textbooks, etc. before you start your revision. Repetition works for me. I used bullet points to 17

drill the important points on a particular topic. For seen questions, I used to memorise what I have written as answer and get upset when I cannot repeat it word for word. But progressing through the degree, I learnt that using bullet points for the main points of the topic worked for me.

The Law Students in Photos

Student Experience “In this highly competitive field of employment, you must ensure that you work hard, stand out, stay motivated and showcase your talents. Sell yourself, you definitely don't have to be the best, but you do have to work hard in order to be successful" Living the life of a Law student in University it's definitely something you’ll hear nearly every day. My name is Glenda Gapare, and I am currently a third year LLB Business Law student at London South Bank University (LSBU) and your Law Society’s Devil’s Advocate coeditor, working alongside my colleagues Judith Dela Cuesta and Matthew Quigley.

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Check the Moodle site or VLE. It is very useful. For first years, they have multiple choice questions for the modules and that helped me learn the topics.”



Attend seminars because the exam questions are similar to the seminar questions and if you have tried answering them, you will not be surprised looking at the exam questions because they are similar in structure to the seminar questions. Don’t forget to do practice questions too.

The Law Society Annual Christmas Dinner



Think ahead. She pointed out that law students should think ahead and prepare at an early stage as for example training contracts are applied for years in advance.

1st Years.



Have a contingency plan. If plan A does not fan out say a law school, a law student has to have another plan ready to take off.



Law students cannot afford to be picky with law firms for their training to qualify as solicitors. Once qualified, doors will be opened for you and you can pick which job you like.

So, it’s your first year at University and who knows which part of the planet you fell from, but somehow you’ve managed to land right here at LSBU where there is a universal maxim of excellence to which all members of the University subscribe! So we’re talking from excellence in your academics and education down to the excellence in how you receive it. There are a number of intertwining links and chains that will impact your 2015/2016 experience with the University. Engaging in this magazine and taking an interest in our Law society are just some of the many steps in the right direction that you can take on your journey to making the most out of every opportunity.

Working in the Law Module Lambeth County Court Placement



Always look for ways to boost your CV. Those extra bits will make you stand out among applicants when applying for jobs or training contract.



Work hard at getting those good grades.

So if you’re wondering where to get stuck in first, I’m here to help. There is plenty of preparation work that you can do for any lecture or workshop, so start by staying on top of your academic work. Grasp the concept that you only get out what you put in, no more no less, and once you get that READ, READ, READ! You’ve got what it takes but it’s going to take everything you’ve got. Hard work and a focused mentality— you just can’t succeed without those two traits.

Law Project Proposal Presentation

          

COME TO THE TALKS HELD BY BPP LAW SCHOOL. CONSTANT MONITORING OF EMAIL ACCOUNTS ESPECIALLY VLE JOIN THE MOOTING COMPETITIONS ATTEND TALKS AND EVENTS ORGANISED BY LAW SOCIETY TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES JOIN THE STREET LAW PROJECT JOIN THE FUNDRAISING TEAM LOOK FOR INTERNSHIPS STUDY HARD BE ORGANISED COMPLETE ALL WORK GIVEN OUTSIDE THE LECTURE. READ! READ! READ! THEN READ! SOME MORE. ENGAGE IN THE MENTOR SCHEME AVAILABLE TO YOU.

2nd YEARS. Let the good times roll. Year 2 is quite a step up from year 1, which you just might not be expecting, and I guarantee it’s something you’ll realise from the outset. We’re talking prepping for the toughest year in education for you so far. And I don’t just mean academically but I’m talking generally. This is the year where you start applying for training contracts and internships and start trying to make the most of any networking chains or links that you should have been making in year 1. This is the year where it’s more important than ever to roll up your sleeves and grab any opportunity that rolls your way. Yes, even that dapper looking man sat next to you on the underground—if you even catch a whiff of lawyerism in him, you grab that opportunity to spark up a conversation and make some ties.

This year you’re going to have decisions to make in regards to which career path you want to take. There’s nothing set in stone but it would be good for you to establish some direction. So whether you are headed down the business law path or the family law path be sure of what that entails. Book an appointment with your You need to engage in whatever roles and tutor or the subject director and find out what it’s all opportunities are constantly popping up around you about before the deadlines to make your choice of and stay on top of this and you can do this by the options. There is nothing more intolerable than having regular monitoring of your VLE, your email accounts to be passionate about something that you’re indifferent and constant monitoring of MyLSBU (the generic LSBU towards or in fact have no passion for at all. home page for students). That is the most crucial investment you could make in your whole time here at  NETWORK, SELL YOURSELF South Bank.  APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING CONTRACTS I believe that LSBU Law Society is somewhere that will  SECURE THOSE INTERNSHIPS  RESEARCH WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU be diverse enough for you to satisfy the curiosity of a  BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR CHOICE new student’s mind. For me, we combine  SET YOURSELF GOALS professionalism with community values and are an  BE BOLD, BE BRAVE, BE FEARLESS organisation which will help to develop your skills in many areas, given its varied fields of expertise. The Law Society is a great place to equip you for life in the legal world. 3rd YEARS.

Former Law Commission Chairman Sir David Lloyd Jones Visit to LSBU

Visit to UK Supreme Court

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 18

JOIN THE LAW SOCIETY

What can I really say that you don’t already know. 19 19

You’ve got what it takes but it’s going to take everything you’ve got.

me is not just the financial rewards but also the genuine reward of knowing you've done your best with any and every opportunity that comes your way. I have been a BPP Law School are currently in alliance with our very active member of the Law Society for two years university working hard to give you the best start /leg up now. Moreover I am Westlaw certified (basic) and am in your career after university. They are going to hold a currently undertaking training for my advanced certificate. number of talks that will be advertised by your liaison I am looking to build and expand my skills base with the officers Glenda Gapare (me) and Priscilla Adefisoye University and Law Society. This is a society that is a throughout the year. Make sure you’re there. significant force within the market and has won the respect of its peers for its marvellous work. A community Really and truly, this is the year that’s either going to of trust, ethics, hard work, dedication and devotion, make you or break you. Down from the pressures of deciding what subject you might just want to specialise in London South Bank University, what will you make of it? to that dreaded dissertation, more than ever the key is organisation and dedication. If you’ve not even decided what your next step will be after graduation, now will be Here are some ADVICE. the time to start thinking because everything that you do this year will be shaping the path that you’ll be headed on in less than a year when you graduate from LSBU. So You can only be the best once you believe in the dream although you must ensure you focus on doing the best that you can this year, you must also focus on getting the that you are selling to yourself and become the best best out of this year that you can. So attend careers fairs version of you. This idea of being unique and standing out amongst the crowd has now become so common that it and attend the talks held by BPP Law School and the has engulfed the whole concept of individualism and Law Division and see what they’ve got to offer you. become so endemic amongst law students and qualified lawyers that it no longer holds substance or value. Everybody tries so hard to be unique and stand out that In conclusion. they end up running after the same things and recycling The most important thing in this professional field of ours past successful tactics of other successful lawyers. In doing so they are forgetting that the best quality that they is networking. It’s all about how much you want to could offer any establishment is originality, one of my succeed. And who knows what success means to you, strongest attributes. The only advice I can give you is that but success for me in law means being able to pursue your passion and get where you need to be with a belief you can only become the best version of yourself if you are being yourself in the first place. and desire to be the best at what you do. South Bank I have found is an ocean of networking and opportunities and it’s up to you to seize every single one that comes your way. Roles include opportunities such as being course representatives for you and your fellow peers, where you act as a chain of communication from the students to the course directors, to even the smallest things, like coming to the numerous events held by our law society listed elsewhere in this magazine.

I am dedicated, fruitful and unwavering. Perseverance is what drives me and hard work is the objective I have set in my path to achieving my aim of success. Success for

Moving to the UK By Priscilla Adefisoye

I moved to the UK two and half

years ago with my family from Germany where I had my UCAS application completed and sent. I attended one of the open days at LSBU and was quite impressed by

Remember YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES, BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT. By Glenda Gapare

multicultural individuals who were accepted for who they were.

the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) which can all be accessed very easily and for free.

I was assigned a personal tutor who helps me with any difficulty I had academically. This can range from how to improve my analytical skills to how I can become more confident in speaking (in the mooting scheme, for example). Whenever I thought I needed more detailed explanation of an area of law I could easily make an appointment with any of my lecturers and they would happily help me out. My lecturers were fantastic. They work very hard to make sure students were engaged and ensure their academic well-being. They are all well -experienced, esteemed, supportive and enthusiastic professionals in their own field/ which includes barristers and solicitors.

All these aspects about LSBU prepared me very well for my second year and brought out the skills in me I never thought I possessed. Before coming to LSBU, I would never have dared to do anything out of my comfort zone. It was a challenge for me to run for welfare officer, to volunteer becoming a mentor for the first year students and apply for the student ambassador role. LSBU has definitely impacted my life positively and has made me a more confident person, which is crucial when pursuing a career in the legal environment. I have gained a deeper interest in law and it has made me more analytical of my surroundings. LSBU encourages its student as best as they can whether academically or socially through countless facilities (Job shop, Student union, placements and talks).

LSBU's library aka 'Perry Library’ is a reservoir of knowledge. It supplies books, journals, magazines and

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

me, they are there to help, and they are seriously happy to, and it is better to ask before the exam takes place... In conclusion it all boils down to reading (and writing). If you read, you can't go very wrong. In year one I got away with 3 hours a day on those days I had no classes. Year two is harder; I could maintain my 1st class average with reading for 4-5 hours a day on the top of the classes. Year 3? I will see. :)

By Alexandra Varga

I was asked to write down a couple of pieces of advice that both 1st and 2nd year law students may rely on. I apologise in advance, but they will be very similar to those given by our dedicated teaching team. Here they come:

Preparation, preparation, preparation! I go into lectures with having read the relevant chapters of the textbook and/or relevant cases and statutes. This way, by the time the lecturer begins I have an idea of the subject matter.

my experience. I was very warmly welcomed by a student ambassador who gave me more insight into the student experience at LSBU and what it is like to study law there.

Attend classes. Well, attend them prepared. It is crucial that you prepare an answer to the questions proposed by the tasks of seminars, workshops, etivities, optional essays etc. These tasks do prepare you for the exams.

LSBU is located right in the heart of London, close to some of London's major landmarks such as London Eye, Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral. I travel around 4 hours to get university. It's quite expensive but I found a cheaper method. I don't mind the long distance. I really enjoy it. The good transport links makes it nice and easy.

thoroughly enjoyable. I met new friends among whom were German and Yoruba speakers, which is very important to me as I am of a dual heritage. I felt like I finally belong to a community. I got along well with my lecturers and my fellow students as Coming from Germany, my first year undertaking my law degree at LSBU was the University was full of diverse and 20

If you don't understand something, just ask. Our teachers are so devoted that they will

appreciate your questions, especially if asked in a seminar or workshop setting, but a 1 to 1 appointment can also be booked. I know that it is hard to overcome the feeling that they might think you were silly if you brought light to your lack of understanding, but believe 2121

Next Issue:

Law Division News

Welcome to all our new students, undergraduate and postgraduate. A special welcome also to our new

LSBU LAW DIVISION:

colleague, Catherine Evans, who joins us as a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Legal Advice Clinic. Catherine was formerly the Director of Southwark Law Centre and brings a well established network of professional relations with the local legal community and many years' experience of case work, fund raising and management to the LAC.

INSPIRED BY LAW: LAWYER’S GALLERY EVENT NEWS AND INTERVIEWS

We have two very exciting events coming up in November. On Tuesday, 17 th November, we are launching Inspired by Law, an exhibition of photos and biographies of eleven lawyers and legal campaigners who have an outstanding record of contribution to the advance of social justice and human rights, often in face of considerable adversity to themselves and their families. We are delighted to announce that four of our winners, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff (former President of the Law Society), Professor Akua Kuenyehia (formerly of the International Criminal Court) and Diana Nammi will be with us on the evening of Tuesday, 17th November to receive their awards. Our other award winners will be represented by campaigning organisations: Amnesty International, ActionAid, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Client Earth. Our very own Professor Sara Chandler will join the evening, representing Adil Jose Melendez.

Law Division Staff in Focus:

Alan Birbeck, Lecturer and Barrister

At the event, each lawyer will be announced by an LSBU student and following a keynote speech, there will be a panel discussion between the lawyers and representatives. The theme of the evening will be inspiration - what has inspired our winners, why do these lawyers inspire our students and how can we put these principles into action? The event starts at 6.00 pm in the Keyworth foyer, where you will be able to see a display of the gallery, with formal proceedings beginning at 6.15 pm. It will conclude with refreshments on the Keyworth mezzanine. The event is ticket only and is also covered on the Moodle Employability and Skills for Learning site.

Raveena Theodore, final year combined degree student, will recount her experience of being selected to represent the LSBU Legal Advice Clinic in the international conference on civil justice and legal education in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Later that week, on Friday 20th November, we are holding an event in the “Being Human” Festival, part of a nationwide programme celebrating the humanities. Our conference will be on the subject of “Being Human: Helping Others” and will discuss whether we have moral or legal duties to assist others. Topics include Economic and Social Rights, the Welfare State, Economic Aid and Development, the UN Security Council Responsibility to Protect Doctrine and the current Mediterranean refugee crisis. The event is free and you are welcome to attend - just book a place on Eventbrite. Both of these events will of course be covered in future editions of the magazine! There is excellent advice from your fellow students elsewhere in The Devil’s Advocate about making the most of your studies and your time at LSBU and there is no need to repeat it here – just be sure to read and follow it.

Best wishes for the coming year

Andy (Andy Unger, Head of the Law Division)

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