HUDDERSFIELD University’s law department hopes to become a centre of excellence after being awarded a new status.
The department has been accredited with Law School Status and will celebrate the award on Friday with a visit from Baroness Hale who in 2004 became the first woman Law Lord.
The law school was set up 30 years ago and now has almost 700 students, studying everything from undergraduate law degrees to legal practice courses and masters’ degrees.
Over the past 10 years it has grown quickly and is one of only two universities in the country offering a four-year exempting degree, which combines a law degree with a legal practice course.
This means students can become a master of law and practise more quickly and cheaply than by taking the old route of an undergraduate degree followed by a legal practice course.
To improve further, the law school is forming links with local businesses to make sure the course is relevant to the industry and reflects what students will face when they enter the legal world.
Firms including Armitage Sykes have helped by securing training places for students, taking part in mentoring schemes and hosting guest lectures.
Viv Wild, a partner at Armitage Sykes, was a lecturer and course director at the university before joining the firm.
She said: “It is a mutually beneficial relationship.
“We help the university to provide students who have benefited from the best possible preparation to enter the world of law.”
James Skinner, an associate at Armitage Sykes and a family law specialist, was one of her students.
He said: “I feel this type of link with ‘real’ legal firms is crucial for students.
“I’m delighted that I’m able to continue to foster links with the university.
“We are lucky to have such an outstanding facility in the town.”
