Name
Ben Turner
What is the title of your thesis? Who are your supervisors? When did you start your doctoral research?
My thesis is entitled “The Rise and Fall of Intermediated Securities: An Economic Jurisprudential Analysis of Trust Based Intermediation.” My supervisors are Dr Mahmood Bagheri and Professor Kern Alexander. I officially started my doctoral studies in October 2018, however in truth, my studies began about six months previously. This is because my PhD is an extension of my LLM thesis (which I also completed at IALS.)
Tell us about your thesis.
My thesis explores the system of trust that underlies securities intermediation in the UK and in similar common law jurisdictions. I use an economic analysis to explore the efficiencies of the system and whether technology has outmoded trust.
What motivated you to study that topic? Why is that research important?
I graduated with an LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law (with Distinction) from IALS in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed the financial law focused modules. For my LLM thesis I began to explore intermediated securities and their evolution in relation to technological advancements. I found that the topic was interesting, timely and had significant questions that were unanswered. I wanted to research these questions in more detail and provide some novel solutions. The research is important as it goes to the core of modern capital markets and the system of law that underpins it. Critically, there has been no other study which looks at the efficiency of trust law and its operation in the capital markets.
What did you do before starting your PhD at IALS?
Before my PhD, I spent the vast majority of the past 7 years in university. I completed a BA (Joint Hons.) in Ancient History and Religious Studies, followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law, both at Cardiff University; an MSc. in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law; and, as mentioned already, the LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law (with Distinction) at IALS in 2018.
Why did you choose to study at IALS for your PhD? What do you most enjoy about IALS?
I chose IALS for my PhD because it seemed a logical step to complete my research in the institution where it began and under the same expert supervision. I originally chose IALS for the LLM because I wanted to avail myself of the incredible resources at IALS and be a part of the central hub of legal research in the UK. IALS also has a well-regarded global presence to which I was very attracted. A further selling point was IALS’ particular expertise in financial law. My research is firmly within this area and so it seemed a perfect fit.
What do you hope to do at the end of your PhD?
I currently lecture at Cardiff University and the Open University, and I hope to continue in these roles. I am also completing my barrister training part time while finishing my PhD and am due to be called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 2022. Thus, I hope to combine my lecturing practice with practice at the Bar.