90th anniversary celebrations for Law School

Students have studied law at the University since 1923, though originally as part of the University College of the South West until Incorporation by Royal Charter in 1955 established Exeter as a university in its own right. Prominent alumni include Appeal Court Justice The Rt Hon Lord Patrick Elias, Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales The Rt Hon Lord Justice John Goldring, as well as a number of High Court Judges, Circuit Judges, QCs and partners at Magic Circle law firms.

Today the staff and students of the Law School form a cosmopolitan group reflecting the international reputation of its research and teaching. The Law School has an international reputation in research across a range of areas including: Family Law, Legal History, International and Human Rights Law, European Law, Science, Culture and the Law, Environmental Law and Commercial Law. 

James Devenney, Professor of Commercial Law and Head of the Law School said:“Our 90th anniversary is a special day for the Law School. It is a day during which we will be celebrating the proud history of this Law School and looking forward, with ambitious plans, to our 100th anniversary.  We are particularly delighted to be welcoming Lord and Lady Clarke as well as a host of other distinguished guests, alumni, former colleagues and many friends of the Law School.”

The Law School’s portfolio of degrees and extra-curricular activities, such as mooting, pro bono work, the award-winning Community Legal Helpdesk, school-based Debt Literacy Project and work placements as well as events organised by the Bracton Law Society offer unrivalled opportunities for students to gain invaluable legal experience.

Victoria Bresslaw, president of Bracton Law Society feels really privileged to be part of such an active and supportive Law School. She said:“Knowing that such highly respected legal practitioners have also studied at Exeter is truly inspirational and encourages me to strive towards a challenging legal career. My three years at Exeter have given me an insight into the Law School’s great history and it is very exciting to see how the School is continuing to adapt to new technology to ensure that students have the best possible learning experience.”

She added:“The emphasis the School places on transitioning from the academic study of law to the professional practice of law has been incredibly useful and was instrumental in enabling me to succeed in gaining a training contract with Linklaters, a large City law firm. I would love the opportunity to return to the Law School in its centenary year to see how the School has developed; I have great confidence that the Law School will continue to be held in very high esteem, and sustain its reputation of being a fantastic place for young lawyers to study.”