News & Events

Forthcoming Events

5 December 2012 - Law Conference Room - 1.10 to 2.00pm
Career Talk - Alan Collins, Solicitor-Advocate, Partner, Pannone, London

Abstract - The Tort that Dared not Speak its Name: Child Abuse
Claims for child abuse are a recent development and are challenging for both the courts and lawyers. Recent cases in this field are pushing the boundaries on vicarious liability and limitation. For the practitioner he/she has to grapple with practical as well as legal issues which encompass liability, causation, quantum and frequently limitation. All against the background of what in some quarters is a taboo subject the sexual abuse of a child. Many of the cases are concerned with "historic" allegations which are problematical evidentially.

Speaker Biography
Alan is a former Aberystwyth student (Law 1984 to 1987) and is now a partner at the national law firm Pannone and is based at the London office. He specialises in serious personal injury cases including head and spinal injury claims, but primarily child abuse cases. He acts for a wide range of individuals in this country and overseas, and these include those who have suffered serious head and spinal injuries, victims of sexual and physical abuse and assaults, whether as children or adults. Alan is a Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority personal injury and medical negligence accreditation schemes (Law Society Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Panels).

News

28 November 2012 - Law Seminar Room - 1.10 to 2.00pm
Career Talk - Henrietta Hawxwell, Department for International Development, London

Abstract - In the Loop?: Guide to Joining the Civil Service
This presentation will be an interactive question and answer sessions for students interested in working in the civil service with a particular emphasis on what it is like to work at the Department for International Development (DFID) and as a Civil Servant on the Fast Stream recruitment programme. In order to do this, the presentation will involve sharing real life experiences of working for a minister and for the department as well as serving as a how to guide for students interested in the Fast Stream recruitment programme. It will be presented through a light-touch Powerpoint presentation but the style will be kept informal and conversational.

Speaker Biography
Henrietta Hawxwell is the Assitant Private Secretary to the Minister for International Development. She joined DFID in June 2011, on the Fast Stream graduate recruitment programme. Prior to working at DFID, she worked as Political Assistant to Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne and as Project Facilitator at the AMAR International Charitable Foundation as well as experience working in Brussels with Members of European Parliament with the Baroness. Henrietta graduated with a first-class degree in History from the University of Bristol.
23 November 2012 - Public Lecture - Arts Centre Cinema - 11.00 to 1.00pm
His Honour Judge Nicholas Cooke QC
Title - The response of the Criminal Law of England and Wales to Terrorism: Procedure, Substantive Law and Sentencing
22 November 2012 - Law Conference Room - 12.00 to 2.00pm
Cartel Biographies Project Research Presentation
Title - Standing in the Shadow of Sherman: waiting for the sanctions to come
21 November 2012 - Law Seminar Room - 1.10 to 2.00pm
Career Talk - Kate Bisset, Barrister, No. 6 Barristers, Leeds

Abstract - The Many Roads to Barristering
This talk will cover the following principal points for students considering a career as a barrister:- a) A consideration of the trials and tribulations in forging a career at the Bar; the differing routes in, opportunities available and pitfalls to avoid, b) Discussion of the daily life of a junior barrister, how that differs from prior expectations, what is better and what is worse. Practical tips for deciding whether it is the career for you, advice on the pupillage process and how to stand out and c) what if I don't want to be a barrister? Outline of other roles or experiences which have been open to me through my law degree or bar training and how these may not have been anticipated - including examples of colleagues from Bar School who did not get pupillage and what they are doing now.

Speaker Biography
Kate holds an LLB (Hons) in European and International and Comparative Law from the University of Sheffield where she was awarded the Vaughan Bevan Memorial Prize for academic excellence. She completed the BVC at Manchester Metropolitan University where she was awarded the St James' Chambers "Excellence in Advocacy" prize. She is a Tenant at No. 6 Chambers, Leeds in Criminal and Personal Injury practice covering all aspects of the Magistrates, Youth and Crown Courts for both prosecution and defence. She is a CPS Panel accredited Grade 2 Prosecutor.
15 November 2012
The Department is pleased to announce that Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz has been elected to the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA).
14 November 2012
Career Talk - Alastair Kelly, Programme Coordinator, AMAR Foundation, London

Abstract - A How to Guide: Employment with NGOs and/or Charities
This talk will provide students with a short introduction to the field of the Third Sector, international development and humanitarian aid, describing the major trends, shape and ideas that are influencing the current and future policy in this area. It will provide an introduction to how charities are run and the type of work that these charities must undertake in order to be successful, using examples from the AMAR Foundation as an example of how this specific charity approaches delivery of humanitarian and development assistance. Finally, it will provide guidance to students wishing to enter the Third Sector as a career choice on how to bolster their chances of finding paid employment in this area, what experience they will need to gain and how they should think of presenting themselves when applying for jobs with potential employers. This will be based on personal experience as a line manager who regularly advertises and interviews for interns and permanent members of staff.

Speaker Biography
Prior to joining AMAR International Charitable Foundation, Alastair Kelly was an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corp with responsibility for establishing and managing health care facilities in conflict zones as well as recruitment. At AMAR, he is responsible for managing the implementation of core charitable field activities from the London HQ of the charity and assisting fundraising activities when required in order to further the charity's aims and objectives. Programme Management responsibilities cover projects throughout the Middle East totalling over US$10 million, focusing on delivery of health care, education and rights-based projects. Additional responsibilities including being the focal point for project management best practice while overseeing the wider introduction of project management techniques throughout the Foundation and the internship programme. Alastair holds a BSc (Econ) in International Politics and Strategic Studies) from Aberystwyth University.
31 October 2012
Career Talk
Dr Paul Hutchinson, Hutchinson Legal & Associates Ltd, Bristol

Abstract - Running your own Law Firm: Reaping the Rewards and Mistakes to Avoid
This careers talk will be based on my personal experience as a solicitor and cover the following principal points: a) My legal career post Aber, pre 2004, b) Setting up my own law firm - the joys and challenges, c) Alternative legal careers - being a solicitor isn't all it's cracked up to be, d) What it takes to run your own law firm and e) What makes an ideal applicant.

Speaker Biography
Having graduated (finally) from Aberystwyth in 2001 with an LLB (Hons), an LLM and a PhD, Paul began his career in private practice at Legal Budgets Limited. Learning the art of legal costs advocacy for both claimant and defendant bill of cost, Paul then moved on to Lyons Davidson Solicitors in Bristol where he undertook a similar role. At the same time, Paul was involved in conducting defendant personal injury cases, managing the claims of the firm's main client - the Ministry of Defence - both pre litigation and then conducting quantum and liability hearings. From there Paul was head hunted to the RAC Personal Injury Solicitors, conducting claimant personal injury claims for RAC members. Finally in late 2004 Paul set up his own law firm; he specialises in Wills and Probate, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning and Asset Protection whilst another solicitor deals in the firm with Commercial Litigation, Divorce and Child Law. Paul is a published author and answers legal questions in Moneywise Magazine (both online and in print) and Paul also sits on the Legal Services Board panel of experts who are currently investigating the regulation of various legal activities. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Willwriters and the Institute of Paralegals.
25 October 2012
CPD Course - Outcomes Focussed Regulation and the role of the COLP and COFA
24 October 2012
Career Talk
Richard John of Alun Thomas & John Solicitors, Aberystwyth

Abstract - The Trials and Tribulations of a High Street Lawyer
This talk will focus on the different types of work a high street lawyer does, with funny and/interesting illustrations and emphasizing the personal connection we have with our clients.

Speaker Biography
Richard holds an LLB from Southampton and has been the managing partner at Alun Thomas & John since 1989. He is responsible for the firm being the first in Aberystwyth to hold a legal aid franchise and this year one of the first to be accredited with the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme. He is responsible for the firm's business plans and strategy and recruitment policies. He is a member of the CPS panel of private practice solicitors, the Solicitors Family Law Association and is the private prosecutor for the RSPB and the Trading Standards Dept, North Western & North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee as well as solicitor for Association of School Masters and School Mistresses. He has acted as advocate in numerous criminal and civil trials. The criminal matters have included prosecuting and defending serious assault cases, burglary and theft offences, sexual offences. Civil cases have included contested family ancillary relief cases, consumer credit cases and contract and tort cases.
17 October 2012

Career Talk
Major Hannah Giles, Recruiting and Training, Army Legal Services

Abstract - How to Join Army Legal Service: A Guide to Familiarisation Days
This talk will be for those interested in joining Army Legal Services (ALS). This presentation sets out where ALS fits within the Army, the structure of ALS, details of the different roles ALS has (and where appropriate, the history of the creation of those roles eg. following judicial review proceedings), the recruiting process and the benefits of joining ALS.

Speaker Biography
Hannah holds a BA(Hons) Law and French at Anglia Polytechnic University and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester. She held a training contract with a high street firm in Portsmouth and later moved to a high street firm in Bournemouth, specialising in Civil Litigation and Employment Law before she commissioned as a Captain into ALS.
8 October 2012
UK Government nominates Aberystwyth Law Professor for Election to GRETA.
Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz of the Department of Law and Criminology has been nominated by the UK Government for election to GRETA - the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. GRETA has been established by the Council of Europe to monitor European States' laws and activities in the prevention of human trafficking and the protection of victims of trafficking. For further details please click here

News Archive Session 2011-12

News Archive Session 2010-11