2006 competition

Imagining law?

In this year’s student essay competition we asked undergraduate law students across the UK to write about their expectations of studying law and the extent to which these were fulfilled by the courses they had chosen. They were also asked to discuss ways in which their studies could be improved.

We received a record number of entries, and the task of selecting the best three was not an easy one. All three winners wrote imaginatively about what they thought studying law would be like. They considered issues such as whether their expectations were realistic and what else a law degree might provide. They suggested valuable changes that might be made from the students’ point of view and how these changes might improve the study of law.

The finalists were presented with their prizes at LILI 2006. First prize was won by Samanda Davey, a first year law student from the University of Essex, who was presented with a cheque for £250, funded by UKCLE and the Higher Education Academy. The second prize of £75 was won by Mairead Moore of the University of Wales Swansea. Mairead flew over from Eire to attend the conference, and despite being unwell, said: “I found the conference very enjoyable and particularly enjoyed the Question Time session.” It was heartening to see two young students taking part in an event largely aimed at those engaged in delivering legal education leaving with such a positive view of the discipline and those who teach in it.

Unfortunately Andrew Poole, the third prize winner, was unable to attend the conference, but he received a cheque for £50 in the post!

Samantha’s essay was in addition entered for the Higher Education Academy’s Student Awards 2006, open to the winners of all Subject Centre essay competitions.

The winning essays

• 1st prize: Samantha Davey , University of Essex
• 2nd prize: Mairead Moore, University of Wales Swansea
• 3rd prize: Andrew Poole, City University

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— Samantha Davey, first prize winner, with David McQuoid-Mason (keynote speaker)

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— Mairead Moore, second prize winner, with David McQuoid-Mason (keynote speaker)

Last Modified: 29 June 2010