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About Farah Mendlesohn

The School of Law, Policing and Forensics at Staffordshire University offers the LLB, MA and LLM; degrees in Policing and Criminal Investigation, Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism and Forensic Science and Investigation. With over fifty staff members we have expertise in rape testing, prevention and prosecution, ballistic testing, fibre analysis, soil analysis, family law and employment law among others. We offer BA and BSc, MSci and MScs along with a Masters by Applied Research in a range of areas including forensic archaeology. @StaffsUniLPF @StaffsFACS_Dept @StaffsUniLaw

Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship – Official Launch

 

Staffordshire Law Department have launched a new route to qualifying in Law – a Higher Apprenticeship leading to Chartered Legal Apprenticeship status. The programme will combine work with study, giving aspiring lawyers a fantastic start to their careers.

The programme takes 5 years for someone with Level 2 qualifications, or a shortened route of 3 years for someone with an prior Law Degree. The apprentice would be employed full time in a paid postiton with an employer. They then study part time to achieve the Chartered Legal Executive status. This also requires a period of qualifying work experience, so being employed whilst you learn achieves that. The other advantage is there is no debt, the programme is 90% government funded with 10% (approx. £220 per annum) being paid by the employer.

Chartered Legal Executive is a well respected qualification in its own right. However there are fantastic progression opportunities. A top up Law degree is being developed to enable Apprentices without a Law Degree to achieve one. Someome with a Law Degree and Chartered Legal Executive status can then undertake a Legal Practice Course and become qualified as a Solicitor without the need for a training contract. This removes what many students see as the biggest risk when training in Law.

The Law Department launched the Scheme on April 5th at a lunchtime networking event. Several large firms attended with others expressing an interest although they were unable to come on the day. So far 7 of those firms have booked further appointments to investigate the prospect of employing Chartered Legal Executive Apprentices.

The firms were attracted to the idea of offering posts with robust training packages attached, which they felt would appeal to stronger candidates. They were all pleased to hear that there is generous funding available for that training, and that salaries can be set to reflect the investment they are making in the apprentice as an employee.

Staffordshire Law Department has substantial experience of delivering blended learning programmes. The Legal Practice Course has been available this way for many years, and it is looking forward to drawing on that experience to provide a high quality apprenticeship experience for apprentices and employers alike.

FACS Society host the 5th Annual Student-Led Research Conference

This week saw the Forensic and Crime Science Society host their 5th annual Student-Led Undergraduate Research Conference, which was a tremendous success with over 100 students, ERASMUS interns and staff attending from all academic years across the Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Department at Staffordshire University.

Maria Maclennan

 

Our second year undergraduate students organised and ran the conference inviting opening keynote speaker Maria Maclennan to discuss her PhD and expertise as a forensic jeweller and closing keynote Deneen Hernandez presenting on her role as a cryptanalyst with the FBI.

Daphne vG

During the afternoon, five students delivered oral presentations covering research in the following areas:

  • Non-destructive methods of DNA recovery from latent fingermarks;
  • Victim journey after the reporting of a sexual assault;
  • Development of a likelihood ratio approach for ammunition identification;
  • Impact of firing through skin simulant on fired ammunition components;
  • Effects on decomposition after encasing pork in cement.

    Elli S Sexual Assault Reporting

The lunch break made for a vibrant and interesting discussion around 8 student poster presentations, also giving attendees the chance to network and individually meet our invited speakers.

Both Maria and Deneen were very impressed with the organisation of the FACS Society and the professional delivery of all student presenters. Drs Rachel Bolton-King and Laura Walton-Williams, who are the academic support for the conference, were immensely proud of all who were involved and are already looking forward to what next year’s conference may bring! Videos of most of the presentations can be found on the FACS Society Facebook page (https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/FACSStaffs/videos/?ref=page_internal) #ProudToBeStaffs.

 

The Law Networking Event in April 2017

Networking Event

Insightful and practical; exactly what any aspiring lawyer needs to achieve success

Jack Bizzell – Staffordshire University Student – LLB Hons Law 2 Year Fast Track

Last week, Staffordshire University Law School was delighted to host a joint event between Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) and Aspiring Solicitors (AS). Nearly 80 people attended the event, including a number of solicitors and barristers from Stoke and Manchester.

Ruby Hammer (Head of Law) introduced the evening and welcomed everyone to the University. She set out her vision of becoming a Community Law School and to becoming an integral part of the local legal community.

Lisa Rutter (AS Student Representative) introduced Aspiring Solicitors and their aim to provide free access and opportunity to students from underrepresented groups in order to increase diversity in the legal profession. Rachel Lindberg (AS Student manager and future trainee at Hogan Lovells) then delivered an informative presentation on Networking, Linked In and Commercial Awareness – and gave lots of useful tips and examples of what to do and what NOT to do.

In the second part of the evening, Natalie Wilkins (Immigration & Asylum, Housing and Family Law Barrister from Garden Court North) introduced Young Legal Aid Lawyers. She invited a number of guest speakers to talk about their experiences in practice and to give advice to aspiring lawyers wishing to enter the profession. Geoff Davies spoke about a day in the life of a housing caseworker at the Citizens Advice and warned the audience to “expect the unexpected”. Richard Brigden (Garden Court North) spoke with passion about being a Criminal Defence Barrister and told the students to “be themselves” when applying to chambers for pupillage. Akeel Khan, a graduate of Staffordshire University, spoke about being an Immigration Solicitor in Stoke and offered to help students gain work experience. (There was a very long queue to speak to him afterwards!)

 

Finally, the very charismatic Gary Willock (Barrister from Garden Court North) spoke about his career as a Housing Barrister and provided an interesting insight into the various types of issues that he deals with.

 

The final part of the evening was Drinks, Nibbles and Networking. The Law School sponsored the catering for the networking event which was held in the authentic mock courtroom in the Law Building. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to speak to a number of different practitioners on a one to one basis. Geoff Bell, the Managing Partner of Stevens (which is one of the largest Criminal Defence firms in the country) was very generous with his time and stayed for a number of hours to talk to the students.

Adam Bonney, a Criminal Defence Solicitor from Robert Lizar in Manchester who attended, commended the students and said that they were the most engaging that I have come across at any event. Other professionals, such as Rachael Glover (a paralegal at Clyde and Co) and Andrew Hall (a LPC Law county court advocate) also praised the event and the enthusiasm of the students. Indeed, Katie Williamson (a trainee costs lawyer at Horwich Farrelly) said that it was great to meet such enthusiastic students who are clearly passionate about the law.

 

The event was a huge success. It provided a great insight into the realities of working as legal aid lawyer. It also provided a great opportunity for students to practise networking in a safe environment and to start making connections with future employers. In the words of a Level 5 Staffordshire University Law student and aspiring barrister, Harriet Rowley:

This event was a fantastic opportunity to speak with experienced barristers from a variety of practice areas, not only about their work, but also, about their individual paths to the Bar and the challenges they faced. And the event took place right on my doorstep at Staffordshire University!

It was a fantastic evening and I am looking forward to attending similar events at Staffordshire University in the future.  

 

Article by Sara Woodhouse Davie (Senior Lecturer in Law and dedicated Legal Careers Tutor)

Photographs by Molly Woodhouse (Photo Journalism Student, Staffordshire University)

Aspiring Solicitors Network

I’m Lisa Rutter and I’m a level 5 LLB Student. This year I’ve had the pleasure of being Lead Ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors at Staffordshire University. 

Aspiring Solicitors is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession by;

(i) providing free access, opportunity and assistance to students from underrepresented groups;

(ii) educating and informing the next generation of the legal profession about the importance of diversity; and

(iii) promoting and encouraging diversity from within the profession.

Aspiring Solicitors targets undergraduate and postgraduate aspiring solicitors.

Using these aims as our ethos I have worked with my committee of other level 5 & 6 students to promote the opportunities that this organisation provide to those seeking a legal career. 

We attended the law fair earlier this year to raise awareness of the organisation, alongside managing social media accounts and distribution of promotional materials which provides details of upcoming events and opportunities. 

The most recent event I have organised is for Rachel Lindberg  (future trainee at Hogan Lovells & Aspiring Solicitors Student Manager) to visit the University to talk to our students about the importance of networking and LinkedIn. This is part of a combined event with Young Legal Aid Lawyers.’

I look forward to continued work with Aspiring Solicitors over the coming year.

 

New legal apprenticeships to transform profession.

“We believe the new Legal Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to attract quality applicants to paralegal and legal assistant job vacancies and to train and develop them in the role.”

Ruby Hammer, Head of Law

Law firms are being invited to find out about changes to legal education and new legal apprenticeships on offer from Staffordshire University.

Staffordshire University is among the first in the country to deliver new three and five year legal apprenticeships which are set to transform entry to the legal profession over the next decade.

The higher apprenticeships will lead to professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILexs).

Law firms and organisations with legal departments are invited to an apprenticeships launch event in the Law building on Wednesday, 5th April at 12pm, followed by a networking lunch in the Court Room.

Staffordshire University Head of the Law, Ruby Hammer said: “We believe the new Legal Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to attract quality applicants to paralegal and legal assistant job vacancies and to train and develop them in the role.

“It’s a struggle for graduates to secure a training contract when there are far more Legal Practice Course students than there are spaces but the new apprenticeships are a route to qualifying as a solicitor without the need for a training contract.

“Market research carried out with our current students has shown that they value training and job prospects over level of salary when seeking employment.”

The five year route is designed with school and college leavers in mind whereas the three year route enables law firms to employ a law graduate and to invest in their training.

Ruby added: “Instead of just offering a post, law firms can offer a strong training package which gives apprentices the chance to qualify as a fellow of CILEx.”

“Under the new government Apprenticeship Levy, levy payers will have the costs of the training covered in full, whilst SME businesses get 90% funding, meaning they only need to pay £240 per annum in course fees.”

Drawing on the Law department’s expertise in developing blended learning courses, the apprenticeships will involve a combination of distance learning and face-to-face teaching which will take place in a block twice a year.

Staffordshire University are powering the future of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships and are working with a number of organisations including Vodafone, NHS, Perkins and Staffordshire Police to develop their workforce and shape future careers.

The University has recently confirmed its place on the Skills Funding Agency Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers which means it has the green light to delivery apprenticeships to levy paying employers.

Set to come into force this month, the government Apprenticeship Levy requires employers to invest in apprenticeships, with the size of the investment dependent on the size of the business.

Contact

Maria Scrivens
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Public Relations
L600, Flaxman Building
College Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 2DE
t: +44 (0)1782 294375
m: 07766 520339
e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

ECJ Headscarf ruling, Sue Jenkinson

This month the newspapers were full of misleading headlines about a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling. No surprise there then, it is often the case the ECJ rulings are misconstrued in the British press in order to meet the newspapers agenda or political view point. However this latest misinformation is very misleading. There were two cases considered with different outcomes. Last week the court held that in some circumstances it is legal for a work place to ban the wearing of a headscarf. These cases highlight the difficult balancing that the court has to consider between freedom of religion and non-discrimination. The ECJ held that a ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf would not automatically constitute direct discrimination. For the ban to be legal and not constitute discrimination it must be based on an individual company’s internal rules which must require all employees to dress ‘neutrally’. It cannot be based on the wishes of a customer, because this would be a subjective consideration and therefor illegal.

The cases concerned Samira Achbita who was sacked by G4S Belgium when she started to wear a headscarf to work, after working for the firm for three years. G4S originally had an unwritten rule that was subsequently incorporated into its workplace regulations banning the wearing of ‘overt religious symbols’. Ms Achbita unsuccessfully argued that she was being directly discriminated against. However the court held that there was no discrimination because the prohibition was blanket and prohibited ‘any manifestation of such beliefs without distinction’. The court held that G4S were perusing the policy in a ‘consistent and systematic manor’. This contrasted with another judgment given at the same time where a French company sacked Asma Bougnaoui after a customer complained about her Islamic headscarf, the company Micropole had no such policy of neutrality in place and therefore had discriminated against their employee. Ms Bougnaoui had been professionally competent and she had been sacked only because of her refusal to remove her headscarf which was requested as the result of a customer complaint not company policy.

These judgments have had a very mixed reception with, Amnesty commenting that the decisions gave ‘greater leeway to employers to discriminate against women and men on the grounds of religious belief’ whilst in contrast Andrew Copson for the British Humanist Association comments ‘we need to take an approach that balances everyone’s rights fairly and we are pleased that the ECJ has today appeared to reinforce that principle’.

If you are interested in any of our Undergraduate or Postgraduate law courses then please have a look at our Law School webpages.
Alternatively please contact us via social media on Facebook or Twitter and we will get back to you.

 

 

 

Grant news.

Dr Jo Beswick (Department of Law) has recently have been successful (as part of a team of three) in receiving an award from the British Academy’s Research Awards Committee. The team lead by Professor Jo Samanta (De Montfort University, Leicester) and also compromising Dr Ash Samanta (University Hospitals Leicester) will address the question ‘To what extent are clinical guidelines used as a proxy for the standard of care in clinical negligence litigation?.

The research will be conducted through an interdisciplinary empirical structure and will investigate how evidence based clinical guidelines are used by defendant doctors, the courts and lawyers. The project is expected to be of 18 months duration, and in addition to producing academic articles, will culminate in a dissemination event to showcase the results and key learning outcomes. The event will be held at a central London location with invited delegates including representatives from the National Health Service Litigation Authority, the Medical Defence Unions and legal practitioners.

This is STEM week so we asked our scientists what they were working on….

Claire Gwinnet, reports that the trace evidence research group is currently working on experiments in transfer and persistence of fibres in a variety of environments, such aimgress waterways and common points of entry to aid in reconstructing events at crime scenes. Very important validation studies are being conducted by Staffordshire university for West Mercia and Warwickshire police for their ISO17020 accreditation – validation studies include effective methods for tape lifting at scenes and 3D footwear impression casting methods.

 Forensic Students Beth and Charlotte are having extra tutorials with Dean Northfields in the techniques of 3D bodymapping. Dean-Northfield-1Body mappingThis techniques incorporates computer CGI with complex pathology reports to create forensic graphics that are suitable for use in UK courts, in particular when explaining traumatic death of individuals.his techniques bring together disciplines across the STEM spectrum incorporMwaF5tGk_400x400ating Post mortem pictures, CGI and technical reporting

 Rachel Bolton-King is undertaking research with firearm expert Paul Olden (Key Forensic Services) to identify manufacturing lines of shotgun cartridges through the forensic examination of fired wadding and shot. The research is supported by National Ballistics Intelligence Service and students from Staffordshire University and Avans University (The Netherlands). Recent research activity involved visiting ammunition manufacturing facilities to further understand and observe manufacturing processes.

Sarah Fieldhouse’s Level 6 Forensics students have been learning about the Bayesian approach to the interpretation and evaluation of evidence.  Students were given a mock crime scenario involving a hit and run case, whereby fibres were recovered from the bonnet of a suspect car that were indistinguishable from fibres taken from the victim’s coat.  Students were required to devise likelihood ratios for the fibres evidence, which were used to assess its probative value.Sarah_Fieldhouse

Next Steps: Professional Speed Networking Event.

On the 1st March 2017, Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism students and local professionals came together for the Next Steps: Professional Speed Networking Event.  The event began with a short talk from Jill Freeman, one of the university’s employability consultants who talked to students about the importance of networking.

Students were asked to jot down their expectations from this event. These included:

  • ‘understanding different job roles and whether they fit me’
  • ‘Information and guidance on the next steps I need to take to gain experience in the area I hope to work in’
  • ‘Guidance on how to get onto a certain career path’
  • ‘What qualifications, skills and experience I will need’
  • ‘What am I actually going to do after my degree’

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Students then had the opportunity to participate in an hour of speed networking with 15 inspiring professionals. We were especially lucky to have a real diverse range of local professionals represented at our event. They came from Hanley Probation Office, Stoke Council Children’s Contact Centre, Stoke County Council, Staffordshire Police, academics from Law, Primary Education, Health and Social Care, Staffordshire University, Stoke College, The Gingerbread centre and social justice campaigners who raised awareness on issues like leprosy, tropical diseases and asylum seekers. Professionals spent a short time telling students about their role, the kinds of things they do in their job on a daily basis, the sorts of skills and qualities people need to have to be successful in this job and the various routes into this profession. And students had the opportunity to ask questions.

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For the final hour there was an opportunity for professionals and students to informally mingle and chat over coffee and cake to have more in-depth conversations.

 

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Reflecting on this event, Dan Gill (L5) said “this careers event was perfectly organised with a real focus on the students. Every professional was chosen meticulously to give useful information relevant to the ambitions of each member of the cohort. What I can take away from this event is not only a sense of my possible career path following on from university but what to expect from life and its challenges’. Amy Conway (L6) was pleased she attended the event because ‘I got so much from it, there was so much guidance given to me in regards to my career path’.

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Professionals such as Suzie Kelly (Commissioning Manager Safer City Partnership, Stoke on Trent Council) commented: ‘it was a pleasure to be involved – the students were great! Lovely to hear such passion about subject areas and to be able to help offer some advice about opportunities. You’ve got some brilliant students’. Bridget Cameron (Assistant Director Commissioning Public Health and Adult Social Care) felt that ‘the networking event was very useful’. She ‘got to see individual strengths of students. Great calibre of students!’

Following the success of this Professional Speed networking event, the Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism team are planning to run a similar event in January 2018.

On the 1st March 2017, Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism students and local professionals came together for the Next Steps: Professional Speed Networking Event.