Graduate LLB Group
We encourage all students to make the most of their time at Edinburgh Law School, to go beyond their studies and engage in all aspects of life at university.
It is important for students to learn about contemporary issues, find out more about current research, develop academic and professional skills, and think about life after graduation. The meetings, events, and activities listed below are complimentary to the Graduate LBB programme, with some events organised specifically for Graduate LLB students.
September
Thursday, 19 September
Opening of the Academic Year Alumni Lecture 2024 [register online]
“Reflections on a Journey from Old College to Parliament”: Rt Hon Dame Eleanor Laing and John Sturrock KC.
Time/Location: 17:30 - 20:00, Playfair Library, Old College.
Wednesday, 25 September
Career Days - Day 1 [no registration is required, just turn up]
First Careers Insight event from the Law School’s legal practice partners: Career Insight Events
Time/Location: 14:00 - 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
October
Wednesday, 2 October
Career Days - Day 2 [no registration is required, just turn up]
First Careers Insight event from the Law School’s legal practice partners: Career Insight Events
Time/Location: 14:00 - 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
Thursday, 10 October
Careers in Law Fair: Careers in Law Fair [no registration is required, just turn up]
Time/Location: 13:00 - 16:30, McEwan Hall, Bristo Square.
Thursday, 10 October
Insight Evening with Sidley Austin [register online]
Time/Location: 18:00 - 20:00, Moot Court Room, Law School.
Friday, 11 October
“The Law’s Creation Myth for Money” Inaugural Lecture of Professor David Fox [register online]
Time/Location: 17:30 - 19:30, Playfair Library, Old College.
November
Friday, 1 November
Alumni Perspectives - Sir Charles Fraser [register online]
Time/Location: 13:00 - 14:00, Law School.
Tuesday, 5 November
Making the transition through the LLB to vacation placements, interviews and office culture: Sam Ingleton (LLB (Graduate Entry), 2019-21)
Some of you met Sam last year. He’ll extend his talk to include how you adapt your applications to different firms, and is happy to take questions.
Time/Location: 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 20 November
Review of the semester and preparation for exams, with coffee and chocolate: David Fox [no registration is required, just turn up]
Time/Location: 13.00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
January
Wednesday, 29 January
Global Litigation in National Courts - The View from London | Edinburgh Law School [register online]
Time/Location: 14:00, Teaching Room 7, Law School.
February
Monday, 10 February
Qualifying in Other Jurisdictions
Many of you plan to qualify for legal practice in a jurisdiction beyond Scotland. Ruben Stokroos will introduce you to the process of converting your Scottish qualification to one enabling you to practise in another jurisdiction. He will concentrate on qualification in England and Wales, the United States and Canada.
Time/Location: 18.00, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
March
Monday, 3 March
Legal Careers Beyond Private Practice as a Solicitor
Some of you have expressed an interest in pursuing a legal career that may not involve private practice as a solicitor. At this event, you can meet three speakers who have chosen a different route.
Julita Burgess is a legislative drafter for the Scottish Government; Jamie Perriam is qualifying as an advocate at the Scottish Bar; and Gillian More is a former Crown Prosecutor in the Procurator Fiscal Service, and now an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law, University of PACE, New York; the Centre for Excellence in Advocacy, Stetson University College of Law, Florida; Cumberland School of Law, University of Samford Alabama; and the Claude Pettit College of Law, Ohio Northern University.
All will be happy to share with you an inside view of their work. Both Julita and Jamie are former members of the Graduate Entry LLB.
Time/Location: 18.00, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 5 March
Walk to the Salisbury Crags
If you’d like an escape from the confines of the Law School, you are welcome to join Jordan Mok, David Fox and others for a walk to the Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. You can take in the spring-time view over the city. The adventurous among you may want to take on Arthur’s Seat too.
Please do join some of your Grad Entry colleagues for a walk from the Law School to the Salisbury Crags. We’ll set off from the steps of the Law School at 2 pm.
There’s a chance of meeting Caspar David Friedrich on the summit. But even if you miss him, the organisers of the walk will lay on some cheese and drink for you to enjoy as you take in the view across the city.
Time/ Meeting point: 14.00 - 16.00 / Law Reception.
Monday, 10 March
Postgraduate Study in Law
Some of you have expressed an interest in taking your knowledge of law beyond the core elements of public and private law in the LLB. Dr Susanna MacDonald-Mulvihill and David Fox will speak to you about making the move to a specialised postgraduate Masters degree or about undertaking advanced research in Law for a PhD.
Time/Location: 17.30 - 18.30, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 19 March
The Faculty of Advocates Talk
Ever wondered what life at the bar is like? This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about the life of an advocate, how to get in to the profession and where it might take you in the future!
We are delighted to welcome two practising Advocates for an engaging discussion about their career paths and how that led them to the Bar, the type of work they undertake, what the training process is like, what life is like being self-employed and more.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Panel speakers include:
Safeena Rashid – Safeena has appeared in tribunals representing the Home Office, asylum seekers, immigrants, parties in employment disputes and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. (Alum, LLB ’07)
Alasdair McKenzie – Alasdair took silk in 2022. He specialises in construction law and construction-related professional negligence.
Time/Location: 13:00 -14:15, Teaching Room 3, Law School.
Thursday, 20 March
Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
David Fox will lead another musical outing, this time to hear Beethoven’s Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony. Last year’s group heard the Seventh Symphony. This year you can add another of Beethoven’s great works to your stock of essential knowledge. Many of you may know it already but hearing it live is an altogether richer experience. Treat it as part of your education.
Time/Location: 19.30, Queen’s Hall.
Wednesday, 26 March
In-House Counsel Career Information Session
Join us for an engaging discussion around life as an in-house counsel.
A varied panel of alumni and friends working in in-house roles across a wide spectrum of legal jurisdictions and remits will discuss their experiences and roles, before opening the floor to questions. If you want to learn more about the role of in-house legal services, this is the perfect opportunity to find out more, discover what opportunities are out there, and what the similarities and differences are across a broad spectrum of institutions.
Panel speakers include:
Louise Kelso - General Counsel and Director of Legal Services at the University of Edinburgh (Alum, LLB ’00)
Jamila Archibald - Senior Legal Counsel at the Trip.com Group (Alum, LLB ’17 & Diploma ’18)
Cameron Ramage - Senior Legal Counsel at Cirrus Logic. Law Society of Scotland 2024 In-house Rising Star winner.
Time/Location: 15:00 - 16:15, Moot Court Room, Law School.
April
Friday, 4 April
Outing to the Usher Hall to hear Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony
Professor Fox will lead a group to hear Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony. Expect a harrowing but exhilarating journey into the musical world of the early 1940s.
Dmitri Shostakovich was the great Soviet composer of the mid-twentieth century. He survived Stalin’s cultural and political purges of the 1930s, and then the German invasion of the USSR. In the Eighth, you can expect to hear musical renditions of heavy artillery and to be led into eery versions of alternative reality.
Jess Gillam & Shostakovich Eight & Jess Gillam performing Clyne's Glasslands [external link]
Schostakowitsch · Symphonie Nr. 8 · SWR Symphonieorchester · Teodor Currentzis · SWR Kultur [external link]
Time/Location: 19:30, Usher Hall.
If you want a ticket, please contact Professor Fox by Thursday, 20 Mach.
Wednesday, 9 April
Walk to Blackford Hill and the Braids
To help clear your head as you come into the revision season, Jordan, Hannah, Joel, Ciar and Professor Fox will lead a walk to Blackford Hill and the Braids. You can take in the view north towards the city and the firth. Impressionist painting kit is not essential but you may want to come with proper shoes and a picnic snack. Bring an appetite for interesting conversation with your friends.
Meeting point: Depart from the Law School steps at 14.00.
September
Thursday, 19 September
Opening of the Academic Year Alumni Lecture 2024 [register online]
“Reflections on a Journey from Old College to Parliament”: Rt Hon Dame Eleanor Laing and John Sturrock KC.
Time/Location: 17:30 - 20:00, Playfair Library, Old College.
Wednesday, 25 September
Career Days - Day 1 [no registration is required, just turn up]
First Careers Insight event from the Law School’s legal practice partners: Career Insight Events
Time/Location: 14:00 - 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
October
Wednesday, 2 October
Career Days - Day 2 [no registration is required, just turn up]
First Careers Insight event from the Law School’s legal practice partners: Career Insight Events
Time/Location: 14:00 - 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
Thursday, 10 October
Careers in Law Fair: Careers in Law Fair [no registration is required, just turn up]
Time/Location: 13:00 - 16:30, McEwan Hall, Bristo Square.
Thursday, 10 October
Insight Evening with Sidley Austin [register online]
Time/Location: 18:00 - 20:00, Moot Court Room, Law School.
Friday, 11 October
“The Law’s Creation Myth for Money” Inaugural Lecture of Professor David Fox [register online]
Time/Location: 17:30 - 19:30, Playfair Library, Old College.
Tuesday, 29 October
Making Your Tutorial Work Better: David Fox [no registration is required, just turn up]
Time/Location: 18:00: Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
November
Friday, 1 November
Alumni Perspectives - Sir Charles Fraser [register online]
Time/Location: 13:00 - 14:00, Law School.
Tuesday, 5 November
Making the transition through the LLB to vacation placements, interviews and office culture: Sam Ingleton (LLB (Graduate Entry), 2019-21)
Some of you met Sam last year. He’ll extend his talk to include how you adapt your applications to different firms, and is happy to take questions.
Time/Location: 18:00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 19 November
Writing Better Answers to Problem Questions: David Fox [no registration is required, just turn up]
Time/Location: 18:00: Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
January
Wednesday, 29 January
Global Litigation in National Courts - The View from London | Edinburgh Law School [register online]
Time/Location: 14:00, Teaching Room 7, Law School.
February
Monday, 10 February
Qualifying in Other Jurisdictions
Many of you plan to qualify for legal practice in a jurisdiction beyond Scotland. Ruben Stokroos will introduce you to the process of converting your Scottish qualification to one enabling you to practise in another jurisdiction. He will concentrate on qualification in England and Wales, the United States and Canada.
Time/Location: 18.00, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
March
Monday, 3 March
Legal Careers Beyond Private Practice as a Solicitor
Some of you have expressed an interest in pursuing a legal career that may not involve private practice as a solicitor. At this event, you can meet three speakers who have chosen a different route.
Julita Burgess is a legislative drafter for the Scottish Government; Jamie Perriam is qualifying as an advocate at the Scottish Bar; and Gillian More is a former Crown Prosecutor in the Procurator Fiscal Service, and now an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law, University of PACE, New York; the Centre for Excellence in Advocacy, Stetson University College of Law, Florida; Cumberland School of Law, University of Samford Alabama; and the Claude Pettit College of Law, Ohio Northern University.
All will be happy to share with you an inside view of their work. Both Julita and Jamie are former members of the Graduate Entry LLB.
Time/Location: 18.00, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 5 March
Walk to the Salisbury Crags
If you’d like an escape from the confines of the Law School, you are welcome to join Jordan Mok, David Fox and others for a walk to the Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. You can take in the spring-time view over the city. The adventurous among you may want to take on Arthur’s Seat too.
Please do join some of your Grad Entry colleagues for a walk from the Law School to the Salisbury Crags. We’ll set off from the steps of the Law School at 2 pm.
There’s a chance of meeting Caspar David Friedrich on the summit. But even if you miss him, the organisers of the walk will lay on some cheese and drink for you to enjoy as you take in the view across the city.
Time/ Meeting point: 14.00 - 16.00 / Law Reception.
Monday, 10 March
Postgraduate Study in Law
Some of you have expressed an interest in taking your knowledge of law beyond the core elements of public and private law in the LLB. Dr Susanna MacDonald-Mulvihill and David Fox will speak to you about making the move to a specialised postgraduate Masters degree or about undertaking advanced research in Law for a PhD.
Time/Location: 17.30 - 18.30, Quad Teaching Room, Law School.
Wednesday, 19 March
The Faculty of Advocates Talk
Ever wondered what life at the bar is like? This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about the life of an advocate, how to get in to the profession and where it might take you in the future!
We are delighted to welcome two practising Advocates for an engaging discussion about their career paths and how that led them to the Bar, the type of work they undertake, what the training process is like, what life is like being self-employed and more.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Panel speakers include:
Safeena Rashid – Safeena has appeared in tribunals representing the Home Office, asylum seekers, immigrants, parties in employment disputes and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. (Alum, LLB ’07)
Alasdair McKenzie – Alasdair took silk in 2022. He specialises in construction law and construction-related professional negligence.
Time/Location: 13:00 -14:15, Teaching Room 3, Law School.
Thursday, 20 March
Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
David Fox will lead another musical outing, this time to hear Beethoven’s Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony. Last year’s group heard the Seventh Symphony. This year you can add another of Beethoven’s great works to your stock of essential knowledge. Many of you may know it already but hearing it live is an altogether richer experience. Treat it as part of your education.
Time/Location: 19.30, Queen’s Hall.
Wednesday, 26 March
In-House Counsel Career Information Session
Join us for an engaging discussion around life as an in-house counsel.
A varied panel of alumni and friends working in in-house roles across a wide spectrum of legal jurisdictions and remits will discuss their experiences and roles, before opening the floor to questions. If you want to learn more about the role of in-house legal services, this is the perfect opportunity to find out more, discover what opportunities are out there, and what the similarities and differences are across a broad spectrum of institutions.
Panel speakers include:
Louise Kelso - General Counsel and Director of Legal Services at the University of Edinburgh (Alum, LLB ’00)
Jamila Archibald - Senior Legal Counsel at the Trip.com Group (Alum, LLB ’17 & Diploma ’18)
Cameron Ramage - Senior Legal Counsel at Cirrus Logic. Law Society of Scotland 2024 In-house Rising Star winner.
Time/Location: 15:00 - 16:15, Moot Court Room, Law School.
April
Friday, 4 April
Outing to the Usher Hall to hear Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony
Professor Fox will lead a group to hear Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony. Expect a harrowing but exhilarating journey into the musical world of the early 1940s.
Dmitri Shostakovich was the great Soviet composer of the mid-twentieth century. He survived Stalin’s cultural and political purges of the 1930s, and then the German invasion of the USSR. In the Eighth, you can expect to hear musical renditions of heavy artillery and to be led into eery versions of alternative reality.
Jess Gillam & Shostakovich Eight & Jess Gillam performing Clyne's Glasslands [external link]
Schostakowitsch · Symphonie Nr. 8 · SWR Symphonieorchester · Teodor Currentzis · SWR Kultur [external link]
Time/Location: 19:30, Usher Hall.
If you want a ticket, please contact Professor Fox by Thursday, 20 Mach.
Wednesday, 9 April
Walk to Blackford Hill and the Braids
To help clear your head as you come into the revision season, Jordan, Hannah, Joel, Ciar and Professor Fox will lead a walk to Blackford Hill and the Braids. You can take in the view north towards the city and the firth. Impressionist painting kit is not essential but you may want to come with proper shoes and a picnic snack. Bring an appetite for interesting conversation with your friends.
Meeting point: Depart from the Law School steps at 14.00.
The Graduate Law Society organises a range of activities that are particularly suitable for students enrolled on the Graduate LLB programme.
If you are interested in becoming a member or attending their events, you can find more information on the Graduate Society page.
September
Wednesday, 20 September
Graduate Entry LLB Students First Meeting
Time/Location: 16:00 - 17.00, MacLaren Stuart Room, Old College
Wednesday, 27 September
Opening of the Academic Year Alumni Lecture 2023 on Migration – the Rule of Law and the Role of Lawyers in Society” with Almira Delibegović-Broome KC (register online)
Time/Location: 17:30, Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, Old College
October
Friday, 6 October
The Inaugural Lecture of Professor Alexandra Braun on Testamentary Responsibility (register online)
Mid-October
Careers Insight events from Edinburgh Law School’s legal practice partners, see Career opportunities
Wednesday 25 October
Law Careers Fair: Careers in Law 2023
November
6-10 November
Edinburgh Law School Pro Bono Week events, see Pro Bono Week 2023
The following events are for first-year graduate entry LLB students:
November
Wednesday, 1 November
Making the transition through the LLB to vacation placements, interviews and office culture: Sam Ingleton (LLB (Graduate Entry), 2019-21)
Time/Location: (time TBC) MacLaren Stuart Room, Old College
Wednesday, 15 November
Imagining digital states as money with Professor Fox
The research presentation by Professor David Fox with be followed by a drinks reception.
Time/Location: 17.00 MacLaren Stuart Room, Old College
Wednesday, 22 November
Review of the semester and gearing up for the exams: David Fox
Time/Location: 13.00 MacLaren Stuart Room, Old College
February
Wednesday, 7 February
Making the move from undergraduate to postgraduate study in Law
Time/Location: 18:00, Raeburn Room, Old College South Side
Susanna MacDonald Mulvihill, an Early Career Teaching Fellow in the Law School will speak on her own experience in reading Law as a mature student and then embarking on PhD research on the law of gifts. Professor David Fox will also add his own perspective too. There will be an opportunity for Q&A.
The talk will be held in the Raeburn Room, Old College South Side. The Raeburn Room is one of the grandest interiors of Georgian Edinburgh, and worth seeing for itself.
All first- and second-year Graduate Entry LLB are welcome.
Monday, 12 February
Legal practice in the Sheriff courts
Time/Location: 13:10, Quad Teaching Room, Old College
Sheriff Frank Crowe will speak about the daily practice of the Sheriff courts in Scotland and offer some tips for those who may be thinking of a career in advocacy. The talk may be of particular interest to those of you interested in criminal law practice. Tilly Bradley Bevan will introduce the speaker.
All first- and second-year Graduate Entry LLB are welcome.
Thursday, 29 February
Outing to the Queen’s Hall to hear the Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Time/Location: 19:30, Queen's Hall
Tickets have been bought for all those who asked for one. You will need to collect your ticket from the Queen’s Hall Box Office in South Clerk Street before the concert. Detailed instructions about collection will follow nearer the date.
March
Sunday, 3 March
Outing to the Queen’s Hall to hear the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra present Nu Age Sounds
Time/Location: 19:30, Queen's Hall
More information about the event can be found here [external site]. If you would like a ticket, please email dfox2@ed.ac.uk by Friday 9 February. This too is part of your education so the tickets are free of charge, subject to availability.
Wednesday, 13 March
Research talk by Professor Alexandra Braun on the legal and theoretical nature of testamentary freedom
Time/Location: 13:10, Teaching Room 2, Old College
Why should we not have limited freedom to dispose of our assets on death and has the law ever assumed that we do?
All first- and second-year Graduate Entry LLB are welcome.
Tuesday, 19 March
Writing better answers to essay questions
Time/Location: 16.10, Teaching Room 6, Old College
Friday, 22 March
Outing to the Usher Hall to hear the Royal Scottish National Orchestra perform with violinist Nicola Benedetti
Time/Location: 19:30, Usher Hall
Tickets have been bought for all those who asked for one. You will need to collect your ticket from Samie Mansoor in the Law School Student Support Office.
Tuesday, 26 March
Writing better answers to problem questions
Time/Location: 16.10, Teaching Room 5, Old College