Latest News
Alumni Event
(15 May 2012)
The first event of our new Alumni Network was held at the London office of Allen & Overy, in Bishops Square, London, on Thursday 29th March 2012..
This took the form of an informal gathering, with a welcome by Lord Daniel (Dan) Brennan KCSG, QC, a Manchester Law graduate, with an introduction by our new Head of School, Professor Geraint Howells, and was attended by members of the Law School staff and a representative of the University Alumni Office, together with 40 London based alumni.
We hope to hold another gathering in Manchester in the autumn.
The University of Manchester Review of Law, Crime and Ethics
(15 May 2012)
The first publication of the above, a student journal, showcasing the breadth of work covered in the School of Law – law, criminology and ethics, was launched at a reception in Christie’s Bistro on Tuesday 8th May. Congratulations to all concerned in the production of this high quality publication, but a special thanks to Michal Kniec, Editor-in-Chief, without whom this project would never have come to fruition.
Student Societies Elections
(15 May 2012)
Elections for the new committee members of the various Student Societies are currently underway. Some of the Societies have already chosen their new committees. Jeff Leblanc has been re-elected as President of MULS, a position he held so successfully during 2011/12, Chris Law has been elected President of the Legal Advice Centre Society, and Niall Boyle was elected to the position of President of FLUB for 2012/13.
MCFC Sponsor Legal Advice Centre Society
(11 April 2012)
Manchester City Football Club have kindly agreed to sponsor the Legal Advice Centre Student Society.
We are very grateful for their generosity.
Mediation Competition
(11 April 2012)
The final of the Mediation Competition , held in conjunction with the London School of Mediation, and in which our students were in competition with students from Liverpool University, took place on Wednesday 21st March. A panel of distinguished mediators, headed by Lord Justice Sir Brian Neill, acted as judges.
We are delighted to announce that one of our Manchester students, Nateisha Anderson, a third year LLB student, was the overall winner of the competition. Nateisha was awarded a place on one of the LSM’s mediation courses, together with a cash award.
For further infomation please go to:
http://www.schoolofmediation.org/manchester-pip-liverpool-just/
Well done Nateisha!
LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards
(11 April 2012)
The School of Law was shortlisted in the Best Law School category of the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards. The Awards were held in the afternoon of Tuesday 27th March at the House of Commons.
We were named as runner up to the University of Hull, beating the Universities of Sheffield and Northumbria and BPP.
Well done to all concerned!
Law Lecturer Shortlisted for Award
(21 Mar 2012)
Professor Rodney Brazier has been shortlisted for the LawCareers.Net Law Lecturer of the Year Award. Rodney is one of six lecturers shortlisted, from a total of over 220 nominees.
The award will be made at the LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards (TARAs) held at the Swiss Re Building (AKA ‘The Gherkin’) in the City of London on Thursday 24 May 2012.
This is a richly deserved recognition of Rodney's talents and popularity. We wish him well!
Summer Internships in Malaysia and Singapore
(29 Feb 2012)
There will be a meeting in the DLA Piper Student Common Room on Thursday 1st March at 1:00pm for students interested in undertaking internships in Singapore and Malaysia during the summer 2012 vacation.
Full details of the internships programmes will be given by Dinah Crystal and application forms will be available.
Please note: You will need to be able to cover all the costs yourself – these will include travel, accommodation, food and spending money.
Mediation Competition 2012
(29 Feb 2012)
The second annual Mediation Competition, run in conjunction with the London School of Mediation is now underway. Application forms are available from the DLA Piper Student Common Room.
Closing date for applications is 14th March 2012. The final of the competition will take place on Wednesday 21st March from 2pm in University Place.
We are pleased to announce that Sir Brian Neill has again agreed to judge the competition.
Public Lecture Series 2011/12
(29 Feb 2012)
Professor Rodney Brazier’s lecture ‘From Asquith to Clegg: Is Lords Reform Impossible?’ took place on 21st February to an audience of students, staff and invited guests and was a resounding success!
The text of Rodney’s lecture is available on the School of Law website:
http://www.law.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/public_lectures/documents/public_lecture_series.pdf
The final lecture in the 2011/12 series - “What it’s like to be good – Neuroscience, ethics and law” by Professor John Harris, will take place on Tuesday 20th March in the Whitworth Council Chamber from 5.15pm.
Legal Advice Centre Chosen as Social Responsibility Flagship
(12 Dec 2011)
The Legal Advice Centre has been chosen as a University Social Responsibility Flagship, one of six projects which show the difference staff and students are making to local, national and international communities. The Legal Advice Centre was the first Flagship to be featured in the University’s ‘Unilife’ magazine.
MULS Shortlisted for National Award
(12 Dec 2011)
MULS have been shortlisted as one of four finalists in the National Placement and Internship Awards 2012 – Best University Society, the only Law Society to be nominated. The Award will be presented at a ceremony in London in January.
This is a fantastic achievement – Well Done MULS!
Launch of Moot Room
(12 Dec 2011)
A vey successful launch of the School of Law’s new Mooting Room took place on Thursday 8th December. This involved a mock moot with local bar and bench taking part, together with students, and was judged by judges from the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester.
Legal Advice Centre Society
(10 Oct 2011)
The Legal Advice Centre Society, which was formed during the last academic year, has recently elected its first committee. The President of the Society is Jelizaveta Busygina (Liza) and is ably assisted by eleven other committee members. The society hopes to hold their first social event in November.
Student Societies
(10 Oct 2011)
The societies held a very successful sign up event in Jabez Clegg during Welcome Week, and are now busily planning their programmes for the year. MULS have launched a new website, which is very informative and details the events of all the societies – www.mulsonline.com
Manchester Student Law Review
(10 Oct 2011)
Michal Kniec, a third year student has begun a peer reviewed student journal to be called The Manchester Student Law Review. Michal will act as Editor-in-chief of the journal, which will exhibit the best academic work, both undergraduate and postgraduate, and will be published at the end of the year.
Civil Procedures Lectures
(10 Oct 2011)
His Honour Judge Stephen Stewart, a senior civil designated judge at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester, will be presenting a series of three lectures on civil procedure early in semester two. Please look out for further details at a later date.
Harry Street Lecture
(10 Oct 2011)
This year, the Harry Street lecture will be given by Geoffrey Robertson QC at 5pm on Friday 18th November 2011. The lecture title will be “From Murdoch to Assange - do moral ethics matter?" and will take place in the main lecture theatre, Samuel Alexander building.
The lecture will be preceded by tea in the Christie Bistro from about 4.00pm and followed by a wine reception (for staff and students)
New Head of School
(16 Aug 2011)
Professor Geraint Howells has recently taken up his appointment as the new Head of School of the School of Law. Congratulations to Professor Howells and thank you to his predecessor, Professor Frank Stephen, for all his work on behalf of the School over the last four years.
New Sponsor for the Legal Advice Centres
(16 Aug 2011)
International law firm Hill Dickinson has recently agreed to co-sponsor the School of Law Legal Advice Centres. They will replace Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, the previous co-sponsor. Clifford Chance will continue as co-sponsors, as they have since the first Legal Advice Centre opened in 2000.
Summer Vacation Placement Scheme at the Legal Advice Centre
(16 Aug 2011)
In conjunction with the College of Law, a Legal Advice Centre Vacation Placement Scheme was piloted in July. The first week of the two week scheme was spent in interviewing clients, researching their cases and sending letters of advice. The second week consisted of workshops by leading firms and Chambers (including the Legal Advice Centre’s founding sponsors Clifford Chance) on every aspect of becoming a lawyer. Students also spent a day at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester during the second week. It is hoped the Scheme will become an annual event.
Internships in Malaysia and Singapore
(16 Aug 2011)
The programme of internships in Malaysia was successfully completed in July by twenty two School of Law students. The feedback we have had from the students is truly excellent, with comments such as “I had the most fantastic time. The firm were immensely generous with their time and enabled me to experience Malaysian culture in ways that would not have been possible alone. I have gained so much and cannot emphasise enough how much I appreciate having been given the opportunity”, and “It was truly a great experience, I learnt a lot and am happy to have had the opportunity to do it.”
The internships in Singapore are taking place in August and September.
Internship in Singapore
(16 Aug 2011)
Hill Dickinson has this year kindly offered a vacation placement to one of our Singaporean students at their offices in both Manchester and Singapore. Yi Rong Ang, a third year LLB student, has been awarded the internship this year.
Mummy Rights and Medical Privacy
(18 Oct 2010)
Prof Soren Holm was interviwed on the rights of mummys and research on ancient human remains in New Scientist and Discover Magazine. Several websites picked up on this story More information
Greening Humanity Conference
(12 Oct 2010)
The Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation and the Eugenides Foundation are jointly hosting a conference on "Greening Humanity - Science, innovation, ethics and the green economy" in Athens 14th - 16th October 2010. Prof Sir John Sulston will be giving a public lecture on 14th October on "The University's Essential Role in Greening Humanity", this has been widely reported in the Greek press with a large audience anticipated. Prof John Harris and Prof Emilios Avgouleas will be leading the two day conference on 15th and 16th October with many experts from Europe taking part. More information
Asylum Rights for All
(12 Oct 2010)
Nuno Ferreira has been selected to act as the national rapporteur for Portugal in a project that will research the handling of asylum claims by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender asylum seekers in all EU member states. The project is financed by an EU grant and will be led by the Free University Amsterdam and COC Netherlands. More information
Law School Student Profile
(9 Aug 2010)
One of our current students studying for a PhD in Bioethics, Yonghui Ma, was interviewed for the 2010 postgraduate prospectus and commented on the " ...great academic atmosphere, reflected by its comprehensive range of resources and equipment......the learning and research experience is really enjoyable".
Genes and Longevity
(16 July)
Muireann Quigley was quoted in the Daily Mail on 2nd July and in the Sunday Times on 4th July on the ethics of the discovery of genes which might predict exceptional longevity. She also appeared with Julian Savulescu, from Oxford, on BBC Radio Ulster's "Sunday Sequence" discussing the same subject on 4th July.
Law School Postgraduate Research Conference
(7 May 2010)
The School of Law annual Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on Friday 17th September 2010 in the Alan Turing Building. This is a prestigious event involving debate and discussion on a wide range of legal topics drawn from the current work being carried out by the School of Law research postgraduates. The conference is open to all postgraduate research students and staff in the School of Law. Full details can be found on the ManLaw School Intranet.
Animals, Humans and Empathy
(6 May 2010)
The Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation, with the support of the Wellcome Trust, are hosting a public lecture by Professor Frans de Waal entitled "Prosocial Primates: Empathy in Animals and Humans" on Thursday 10th June 2010 at 7.00p.m. in the Henry Wellcome Auditorium, Wellcome Collection Conference Centre, 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE. This is a free lecture but requires registration. Would you please email betty.mcgrath@manchester.ac.uk if you are interested in attending or phone 0161 275 3473More information
Researcher on Newsnight
(12 April 2010)
Joanna Gilmore, Associate Lecturer in the School of Law, was interviewed by the BBC for Newsnight recently on her research on the Gaza demonstration last year outside the Israeli Embassy in London and the arrests that followed. Her research has prompted Parliamentary Questions in the House of Lords and an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons. This was also reported in the Guardian and Independent.The Guardian
Public Law and Philosophers
(11 Mar 2010)
Annabelle Lever will be giving a paper on democracy and judicial review on 18th March 4-6p.m. to the MANCEPT group in the Politics Department, all are welcome. Please contact annabelle.lever@manchester.ac.uk if you require further information.
Literary and Philosophical Society
(4 Mar 10)
Prof Margot Brazier will be giving a public lecture for the Literary and Philosophical Society tonight entitled "Doctors in the Dock".
Guest Lecture by Sir Michael Wood
(1 Mar 10)
Sir Michael Wood will be giving a lecture on UN Security Council and the Use of Force on Monday 15th March at 2p.m. in Roscoe B. Sir Michael is a member of the UN International Law Commission. He was the principal Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 1999 and 2006. During 35 years as a lawyer in the FCO, he attended many international conferences, including the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. He recently gave evidence in the Chilcot Enquiry. He is currently Senior Fellow of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge, and barrister at Essex Street in London. For further information please contact Professor Asif H Qureshi at the Law School.
British Academy Award
(19 Feb 10)
The British Academy has awarded funding to Drs John Coggon, Amy Ford and Muireann Quigley for a conference at the British Academy in London on 8th and 9th November 2010 on Medical Law and Ethics in the Media Spotlight. Many leading names in medical law and ethics have agreed to take part such as Mr Geoffrey Robertson QC, Baroness Greenfield, Baroness Deech and Baroness Warnock with Professor Sir Ian Kennedy giving the 2010 Isaiah Berlin Lecture entitled "Working with the Media: A View from the Frontline". Those taking part from Manchester will be Prof Margot Brazier, Prof Tom Gibbons and Dr Iain Brassington.
Ethics in the News
(10 Feb 10)
Prof John Harris was invited onto News at 10 on 25th January to speak about Bridget Gilderdale who had been found not guilty of the attempted murder of her severely ill daugher who had ME. He also wrote an article for The Independent commenting on a recent report on brain activity and consciousness in the New England Journal of Medicine The Independent
Profiling Airports
(10 Feb 10)
Dr Annabelle Lever wrote an article for The Guardian on airport security and its effect on passengers The Guardian
Gender Identity Disorders
(7 Dec 09)
Dr Simona Giordano was interviewed on Women's Hour, Radio 4 on gender testing in sports and commented on the case of Caster Semenya. She was also on the Petra Hosken Show discussing gender identity disorders.
No-Fault Compensation
(7 Dec 09)
Prof Frank Stephen, Dr Anne-Maree Farrell, Dr Angela Melville and Ms Sarah Devaney were recently awarded an external research consultancy by the Scottish Health Directorate (Patients and Quality Division) to provide research support on the No-fault Compensation Review Group. The Review Group is examining whether a no-fault compensation scheme should be introduced as an alternative to medical negligence claims being made against the NHS in Scotland. Details of the work of the No-fault Compensation Review Group can be accessed at Review Group
Principles of European Insurance Contract Law
(7 Dec 09)
The "Principles of European Insurance Contract Law" of which Prof John Birds is one of the editors, was published in September by Sellier, Munich. This represents the culmination of the first stage of a project funded by, among others, the European Commission and the Austrian Science Fund, which has involved academic insurance lawyers from 15 Member States of the EU. It is hoped that the "Principles" will be adopted by the EU as an optional instrument for insurance contracts in Europe or that they will form the basis of some form of harmonisation within the EU. They will be discussed at a conference in Vienna in January 2010.
Manchester Manifesto
(27 Nov 09)
The Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation launched the Manchester Manifesto on 26 Nov. The Manifesto calls for the reassessment of the current system of patents and intellectual property. John Sulston and John Harris lead a group of 50 signatories saying profit should not override the needs of the public. Further information
Great Britain China Centre
(16 Nov 09)
Prof Joseph Jaconelli was invited to address a visiting delegation of senior Chinese judges at the Great Britain China Centre in London on the issues and problems surrounding the public conduct of trials.
SLS Best Paper Prize
(2 Nov 09)
Congratulations to Lindsay Stirton and TT Arvind (York) who were the overall winners of the SLS Best Paper prize at the Keele Conference this year with their paper entitled "Using Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explain the reception of the Code Napoleon in Germany".
Legal Advice Centre Anniversary
(28 Oct 09)
The Legal Advice Centre celebrates its 10th year on 18 November and will be launching the new East Manchester Legal Advice Centre at the Manchester Settlement. Each year the Legal Advice Centre gives free advice to approximately 300 clients with many student volunteers (second and third year undergraduate and postgraduates) giving up their free time. In addition we have a Streetlaw programme for our first years with students giving an overview of law to communities in need e.g. young offenders' institutions and the Waiyin Chinese Centre. This year 238 students have volunteered.
Big Questions
(26 Oct 09)
Muireann Quigley was invited to take part in the BBC 1 programme Big Questions presented from Bury Grammar School on Sunday 25th October. One of the Big Questions was "Should the body be sacrosanct after death" of which Muireann commented on.
Intellectual Property Rights in Transforming Management
(26 Oct 09)
Manchester Business School recently launched their new publication "Transforming Management". They managed to get an impressive line up for their first issue and this included John Sulston and Sarah Chan from the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation. To see their article online go to Editors Picks Intellectual property rights are stifling innovation
Law School Postgraduate Research Conference Friday 18 September 2009
(2 Oct 09)
The Law School PGR Conference was held on Friday 18 September. All PGR students and staff were invited to this prestigious annual event, held in the Alan Turing Building.
Our Students win top Mooting Competition
(1 July 09)
A Law School team has won this year’s Essex Court Chambers (ESU) National Mooting Competition – receiving the coveted silver mace. Two final year LLB students, Karamvir Chadha and Hannah Gates, beat off the challenge from the University of Sheffield in an exciting final, held in the President’s Court of the Royal Courts of Justice. See more at http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=4827
Mental Health
(3 Jun 09)
Neil Allen has secured funding from the NHS to run courses on the recent amendments to the Mental Health Act which is aimed at qualified clinicians. Approximately 500 clinicians will be attending these courses over the current year.
Big Questions
(2 Jun 09)
Hannah Quirk was invited onto BBC 1's "The Big Questions" to discuss the possibility of a compulsory DNA database.
Law School Postgraduate Research Conference
(17 Apr 09)
The School of Law annual Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on Friday 18th September 2009 in the Alan Turing Building. This is a prestigious event involving debate and discussion on a wide range of legal topics drawn from the current work being carried out by the School of Law research postgraduates. The conference is open to all postgraduate research students and staff in the School of Law. Full details can be found on the ManLaw School Intranet.
Bioethics in the News
(30 Mar 09)
John Harris debated the issue in favour of "Should we sequence everyone's genome?" The Times He says "People should be able to choose to do this for their children if they wish, and my "yes" will be firmer when this is more affordable".
He was also quoted in the Sunday Times on 15th March in an article on global warming and the role scientists have in trying to halt any future catastrophes. He said that if scientists make themselves heard on climate change then policy makers will react.
Studentships Available
(16 March 09)
More than £300,000 funding is available for postgraduate studentships in bioethics and biolaw. Following a substantial strategic award from the Wellcome Trust to the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation (iSEI), we are able to offer generous financial support to outstanding applicants, through a number of CSEP's postgraduate programmes (Masters and Doctoral).
Visit the iSEI website for full details. Deadline for studentship applications is 28 April 2009.
Honours for staff member: Professor Geraint Howells
(3 March 09)
Prof. Geraint Howells was elected President of the International Association of Consumer Law at its 12th International Conference on Consumer Law 25-27th February 2008 in Hyderabad, India. He succeeds Prof. Thomas Wilhelmsson, who resigned due to being appointed Rector of Helsinki University. The conference maintained the strong tradition of the Association for hosting truly international and rigorous academic events with delegates from 35 countries being represented.
Geraint Howells has also been appointed as Specialist Adviser to House of Lords EU Select Committee Sub-Committee G for its Inquiry into the proposed Directive on Consumer Rights.
New Year's Honour for former staff member
(7 Jan 09)
Diana Kloss, a former colleague in the Victoria University's Faculty of Law, has been appointed MBE in the New Year's Honours List for her services to Occupational Health Medicine and Law. Diana joined the Faculty in 1960, she became a Senior Lecturer in 1977 and retired in 2002. With 42 years service, Diana is one of the longest serving colleagues who made an immense contribution to teaching employment law, conflict of laws and medical law. In so doing she taught several High Court judges. Her book on Occupational Health Law is the leading text in the field. She is in great demand as a lecturer across Europe, and still contributes to the current School of Law through the Legal Advice Centre.
Wellcome News
(16 Dec 08)
The Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation has gained funding for the Wellcome Strategic Programme on the Human Body, its Scope, Limits and Future. This is a five year programme of work and one of four in the UK to be supported by the Wellcome Trust and has a value of £788,000. It is led by Professor John Harris with iSEI colleagues Professor Margaret Brazier, Ms Sarah Devaney, Dr Anne-Maree Farrell, Professor Matti Hayry and Professor John Sulston and in collaboration with Sarah Cunningham-Burley, Professor of Medical and Family Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. The multidisciplinary nature of the work will draw on expertise in philosophy, bioethics, medical jurisprudence and social sciences to follow five strands of innovative research; human biomaterials, genethics, enhancement, reproduction and methods in bioethics.
A New Legal Advice Clinic in East Manchester
(24 Nov 08)
The School of Law is to open a legal advice centre in east Manchester in a collaboration with New East Manchester and the charities LawWorks North and Manchester Settlement. The pro bono clinic will be based at Manchester Settlement's new centre which is being built on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw. The building will be called "The New Roundhouse" in recognition of the Settlement's original home 'The Roundhouse' on Every Street, Ancoats, which was the subject of an LS Lowry drawing in the early 1900s. Manchester Settlement was founded by the University in 1895. The clinic will open for business next year staffed by students under the supervision of local legal practitioners and will be co-ordinated by an administrator funded by New East Manchester and employed by the 'Manchester Settlement'. The new clinic is an addition to the University's existing free legal advice works: its Legal Advice Centre has been helping the public since it opened in November 2000. Director and solicitor at the Legal Advice Centre, Dinah Crystal, has been involved in setting up the new centre. She said "We're delighted to be announcing this new venture which will allow our staff and students another opportunity to pariticipate in clinical education and more importantly to put something back into the local community"
Modernising and Harmonising Consumer Contract Law
12-13 January 2009, Williamson Building, The University of Manchester
The next months will be crucial for the development of consumer contract law in Europe and the UK. The EC has proposed a horizontal consumer contract directive and the UK government is considering modernising consumer law, perhaps by significantly reforming sales and contract law.
The Manchester Law School and Munster's Centre for European Private Law are hosting a conference bringing together leading contract law scholars and policy maker from across Europe to consider what elements should be in a modern consumer contract law and the extent to which the laws of member states should be harmonised.
Full details and application form
More details on conference web page
Global Banking
(17 Nov 08)
Dr Emilios Avgouleas was interviewed by the McClatchy Newspapers on the prospects of the Washington Financial Summit 16-17 November 2008. Emilios' interview was syndicated in several US newspapers and numerous US blogs. Emilios also gave a number of radio interviews including one for the prestigious Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Postgraduate Open Day - 26 November 2008
(10 Nov 08)
There will be an exhibition in the Whitworth Hall from 10a.m. Faculty staff will be able to advise on:
The variety of courses available within your chosen subject area as well as general information and guidance on study
Postgraduate funding and careers
Life as a postgraduate student and information from various University support services
A series of short talks will also run between 10.30a.m. and 1.30p.m. covering a range of subjects of interest to anyone thinking of undertaking postgraduate study
Health Care Ethics and Law - Masters and PhD Programmes Informal Presentation with Q&A 1.30p.m. Room 3.10 Williamson Building, Oxford Road.
PGR - School Representative available for informal discussion from 2p.m. Room 3.44 Williamson Building
PGT - School Representative available for informal discussion from 2p.m. Room 4.41a Williamson Building
The Law School in Beijing
(4 Nov 08)
School of Law staff are in Beijing this week teaching in the newly inaugurated China-EU School of Law (CESL). CESL is a project funded by the European Commission. It involves a consortium of European Law Schools and Chinese partners. The new School will run a double Masters Programme combining degrees in Chinese Law and in European Law. it will also foster collaborative legal research involving Chinese and European academics. A third leg of the School's activities is a programme of professional development for Chinese judges, prosecutors and lawyers. The School was inaugurated at an impressive ceremony in Beijing on 23rd October addressed by the European Commission President Jose Manual Barossa and the Executive Vice-Premier of China Li Keqiang. Manchester was represented at the opening ceremony by the Head of Law School, Professor Frank Stephen. Gary Lynch-Wood, a Manchester Lecturer in Law, together with eight Associate Lectureres, are in Beijing to teach on the European Law Masters degree. This will be Manchester's first contribution to the European Masters programme.CESL Inauguration
Woman's Hour
(3 Nov 08)
John Harris was invited onto Woman's Hour on Radio 4 on 24 October to discuss egg donation. Manchester heads a campaign which started last week to encourage more women to donate their eggs. It would take just 0.01% of the UK's fertile population to supply the current demand yet egg donors remain incredibly scarce. Sharon West, twice egg donor and Professor Brian Lieberman, Medical Director of Manchester Fertility Services, joined in the discussion.
The Times 'Lifestyle 50'
(31 Oct 08)
The Times recently drew up a list of the top 50 people who influence the way we eat, exercise and think about ourselves. John Harris is named as one of those 50. Through his inflential book "Enhancing Evolution" they quote "By embracing a world where people live into their hundreds and humans have 'nanobot' brains that harness the memory and power of computers, Harris is making us contemplate a science-fiction future". See link below to see who joins him on the list.
Law Student in GB Olympic Swimming Team and now looking forward to 2012
(21 Aug 08)
Michael Rock, one of our undergraduate Law students, represented Great Britain in the Olympics this year. Mike has already set his sights on London 2012 after helping to set a new British record at the Beijing Olympics. The 20-year-old - who took a year off from his law degree to make the British squad - finished sixth along with Christopher Cook, Liam Tancock and Simon Burnett in the 100m medley relay.
Mike, who was awarded a University Sports Scholarship to study at Manchester, is already looking ahead to a second chance at Olympic glory. He said: "It is going to be fantastic in 2012. That really is the light at the end of the tunnel for us. I know the excitement of being in front of a home crowd." More details.
Fundamentals of Private Law
(19 Aug 08)
Anthony Ogus has been elected to a part-time Erasmus Chair in the Fundamentals of Private Law at the University of Rotterdam once he retires from the School of Law in September.
Recognition by the Bar Council of India
(28 July 08)
The Bar Council of India now recognises degrees awarded by the School of Law, University of Manchester.
School of Law Study Explodes Myths of Gang Life
(22 July 08)
A report led by Judith Aldridge and Juanjo Medina revealed that contrary to common perceptions, most gangs were not organised as drug 'businesses' - though individual members often got involved in dealing primarily with cannabis. The report has been widely reported by newspapers and television including The Guardian, The Telegraph, Radio 4 and BBC News 24. http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=3826
Who Owns Science?
(16 June 08)
To mark the launch of the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation (iSEI) there will be agenda-setting public lectures on the ethics of innovation, intellectual property and the commercialisation of science on Saturday 5th July 2008 at 4.30p.m. until 7p.m. The lectures, under the heading "Who Owns Science?" will be given by Nobel Laureates Sir John Sulston and Prof Joseph Stiglitz and will be chaired by Miss Anna Ford, Co-Chancellor of the University of Manchester. Questions and discussion will follow. If you would like to attend would you please email isei@manchester.ac.uk or tel. Catherine Spanswick, 0161 275 7074.
Specialist Adviser within the School of Law
(20 May 08)
Rodney Brazier has been appointed the Specialist Adviser to the parliamentary Joint Committee on the constitutional Renewal Bill. Parliament established this Committee of MPs and peers at the Government's request to examine its major constitutional reform Bill, and the Committee want Rodney Brazier's expertise to help it with its work.
Stem Cell Research and Synthetic Humans
(20 May 08)
John Harris was quoted in The Times pull out guide to Stem Cell Research on Saturday 10 May 2008 and wrote a piece on enhancement entitled "Who's afraid of a synthetic human?" in The Times, Saturday 17 May.
New Centre in the School of Law
(20 May 08)
A Regulation, Security and Justice Research Centre has been established and will be formally launched in September 2008. It brings together a number of staff who are interested in exploring how regulatory theory and perspectives might be applied to questions of human security, policing and criminal justice. See the following link for more information RSJ Centre
Professor Brazier DAM!
(21 Apr 08)
Professor Rodney Brazier is to be awarded the University's Distinguished Achievement Medal (DAM). The award recognises 'sustained and exceptional service to the University' as well as 'significant contribution to the life of the University especially in capacities outside the immediate job'. There can be no doubt that Professor Brazier has made such a distinguished contribution to the University.
Stem Cells and the future
(21 Apr 08)
Sarah Devaney, Lecturer in Medical Law, was interviewed on City Talk Radio, Liverpool, on 17th April and discussed the Question of the Day "Should single sex couples be allowed to create their own children?". This issue arose out of reports that MP Evan Harris had tabled a liberal democrat amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill to ensure that the creation of gametes from other cells, allowing same sex couples to reproduce genetic offspring, is not prevented by law.
Sarah Chan, Research Fellow, was invited onto Radio Manchester on 18th April to discuss former Manchester Mayor, Audrey Jones, who recently travelled to China to receive stem cell treatment for cerebellar atrophy.
Prof John Harris was quoted on stem cells in The Guardian, The Telegraph, Marie Claire and the Independent, please see links April 2008
Law School Nominated for Award
(18 Mar 08)
The University of Manchester has been short listed for the award for Best Law School at this year's Attorney General's Student Pro Bono Awards. The awards celebrate the most impressive student and law school pro bono contributions in the past academic year.
The awards will be announced at a ceremony taking place at the House of Lords on Thursday 24th April 2008.
Honorary Queen's Counsel Award
(10 Mar 08)
Professor Margot Brazier has been appointed an Honorary Queen’s Counsel for her contribution to medical law. The announcement was made today by the Ministry of Justice. Professor Brazier is one of five new honorary QCs. The announcement by the Ministry states that ‘the honorary rank recognises lawyers who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice in the courts’. www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease100308a.htm
This is a great tribute to Professor Brazier’s contribution to the field of medical law.
Tonight with Trevor McDonald
(10 Mar 08)
Professor John Harris has been interviewed for a programme on sleep; the importance of it, various sleep disorders and problems that prevent us from getting it. Professor Harris talked about the future of sleep and whether we need it. The programme will be aired on Friday 11th April ITV1 at 8pm.
The Big Questions TV Discussion Programme
(10 Mar 08)
Dr Muireann Quigley was invited to participate in a programme discussing, among other topics, "Should we legalise a trade in kidneys?" Please see link for further info: The Big Questions
Woman's Hour, Radio 4: Discussion on Gender Identity Disorder
(10 Mar 08)
Dr Simona Giordano took part in a discussion on gender identity disorder, see link below for further information. Woman's Hour
Law School Students Win - Again!
(10 Mar 08)
A team of students representing Manchester School of Law has taken first prize for the second year in succession in 'Lawyers Aware', an online business simulation game.
Kate Barker, Sophie Bonner, Russell Hazell, Alexandra Winch, Fergus Davey and Olubimpe (AKA Tobi) Sotubo were in competition with students from the Universities of Lancaster, Leeds and Sheffield.
The students will be awarded their prizes on Tuesday 11th March in a ceremony at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Congratulations from everyone in the Law School.
University of Southampton awards Manchester Law School scholar
(18 Feb 08)
Professor Rodney Brazier has been awarded an LL.D. by his old university, the University of Southampton, for distinguishing himself through his contributions to original research in constitutional law.
University of Manchester Anniversary Bioethics Lecture
(6 Feb 08)
The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice gave a lecture on "Human Rights and Social Justice" on 6 February to celebrate 22 years of bioethics and medical law in The Centre for Social Ethics and Policy. The lecture was attended by over 200 law students and was very well received. This was followed by a Lord Alliance prize-winners' dinner for those students who have won the prize for best student on the M A and Intercalated BSc in Health Care Ethics and Law since 2000.
International Society for New Institutional Economics
(7 Jan 08)
Professor Frank Stephen has been elected as a Vice President of the International Society for New Institutional Economics (ISNIE) and will become its President in 2010. Previous Presidents of ISNIE include two Nobel Prize-winners in Economics; Ronald Coase and Douglass North. Frank Stephen will be the fourth Europe-based academic to become President of ISNIE.
OBE Honour for Director of External Relations
(7 Jan 08)
Dinah Crystal has been awarded the OBE for services to pro bono legal services. Dinah is Director of External Relations and Clinical Education at the School of Law. She has been a solicitor since 1976 and set up the Legal Advice Centre in 2000. The Centre now has around 300 students assisting around 400 clients every year on cases such as landlord and tenant disputes, divorce, probate, consumer and employment cases. She said 'It's a wonderful thing for the School of Law's students to put something back into the community and to give them real life experience which is one of the many reasons why I started up the Centre. I also couldn't have done it without the help of the local legal community'. Legal Advice Centre.
RTE's Big Science Debate
(29 Nov 07)
RTE invited Prof John Harris and Dr Muireann Quigley to take part in their Big Science Debate discussing human enhancement and stem cells. Prof John Harris took part in programme 1 and Dr Muireann Quigley took part in programme 6. Big Science Debate
The Portugese criminal justice system
(29 Nov 07)
Prof Nuno Garoupa was interviewed recently on BBC Radio 4's Law in Action on how the Portugese criminal justice system actually works. Law in Action
Europe-China Law School in Beijing
(29 Nov 07)
The consortium of European Law School led by the University of Hamburg and including the School of Law has been successful in its bid for the contract for the Europe-China Law School in Beijing. The bid to the European Commission will fund teaching, research and professional programmes. The funding of the School is a foreign policy initiative by the Commission to encourage a European influence on the development of the Chinese legal system and to enhance economic relations between Europe and China. Further information
Award from Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
(29 Nov 07)
Dr Simona Giordano was recently presented with an award from GIRES for her work on atypical gender identity organization GIRES. She also has an article "Should we Force the Obese to Diet" forthcoming in the JME.
Manchester Law Professors amongst most famous of all times
(29 Oct 07)
The Times, in an article entitled Ten great law teachers, has named the ten top law teachers of all times. Two Manchester Law Professors, Harry Street and Brenda Hogget Baroness Hale of Richmond PC FBA, are amongst the ten.
The presence of two Manchester Law Professors amongst the top ten is a recognition of excellence in teaching law at Manchester. Since 1985 the Law School hosts an Annual Harry Street Lecture.
'Which Inn?'
(26 Oct 07)
The newly refurbished Halliwell room was the perfect location for an event organised by the Manchester University Bar Society which brought speakers from four inns. The event was to provide Manchester students with insight as to which Inn to choose, and the opportunity to talk to barristers from each Inn at different stages of their careers. Gray's Inn provided a junior barrister Laura Barbour. Inner sent Mr.Peter Birkett QC and two juniors Rehana Begum and Laura Briggs. Middle sent His Honour Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, and Professor Rodney Brazier spoke for Lincoln's.
Honorary Award for Secretary General of Amnesty International
(18 Oct 07)
Professor Margot Brazier took part in a ceremony awarding Irene Khan an Honorary Doctor of Laws on Monday 15th October 2007, Foundation Day.
Irene Khan is the first woman, first Asian and the first Muslim to take up the post of Secretary General of Amnesty International which she has held since 2001. Dr Khan graduated from the School of Law in 1978 and was taught by Professor Brazier. She went on to specialise in public international law and human rights and is the recipient of serveral academic awards, a Ford Foundation Fellowship and the Pilkington Woman of the Year Award 2002.
New Institute for Science Ethics and Innovation
(12 Oct 07)
The School of Law will be the base for a new Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation. The new Institute's stated aim is to examine how the social and ethical consequences of science and technology can be managed in a way that protects people and makes their lives better.
The Institute's Research Director will be Professor John Harris and its chair will be the Nobel Laureate Sir John Sulston.