School prizes and sponsors
As part of our commitment to rewarding excellence in academic performance, the school awards a series of prizes every year for students who rank first in particular subjects or year groups, and also for students who demonstrate the greatest improvement year on year. Some of these prizes have work experience opportunities attached to them. These opportunities give students invaluable first-hand exposure to legal practice. A full list of prizes and sponsors follows:
- School of Law Public Law Prize, for the student with the best performance in Public Law 1 and 2. Prize is £50.
- School of Law Torts Law Prize, for the student with the best performance in Torts Law 1 and 2. Prize is £50.
- Oxford University Press Law Trove Prize, for the student demonstrating the best overall performance in year 1.The prize consists of 12 months digital access to a Law Trove subject collection of the students' choice.
- The Michael Whincup Prize, in honour of former Professor of Law Michael Whincup, for the student with the best overall performance in Level 2 Law. Prize is £50.
- The Dugdale Prize for Contract, in honour of former Professor Tony Dugdale, for the student with the best performance in Contract 1 and 2. Prize is £100.
- The Andrew McMurtrie Memorial Prize, sponsored by Blackwells Bookshop and the Law School, for the mature student with the most improved grades from Level 1 to Level 2. Prize is £100 worth of book vouchers.
- The Perrin Myddelton Prize, sponsored by Perry Myddelton Solicitors, for the top two performing students in Land Law 1 and 2. Prize may include two week's work experience in the Commercial Property department of this full service firm of solicitors based in the City of London.
- The Berrymans Lace Mawer Prize, sponsored by Berrymans Lace Mawer, for the student with the most improved grades from Level 1 to Level 2. Prize may include one week's work experience at Berrymans Lace Mawer.
- The Albert Hwang Prize, sponsored by Albert Hwang from Sidney Lee and Co, Hong Kong to the best performing student from Hong Kong. The prize takes the form of a work experience placement (non-paid) of up to 2 weeks in Hong Kong.
- The Kathy de Gama Prize, in honour of former lecturer Kathy de Gama, for the student with the best performance in Healthcare Law. Prize is £50
- The Michael Akehurst Memorial Prize, in memory of Professor Michael Akehurst (1940-1989), for the student with the best performance in International Law. Prize is £50.
- The Maxwell Law Prize for the best Law Finalist. Prize is £150 worth of books or book vouchers.
- The Oxford University Press Law Prize, sponsored by Oxford University Press, for the student with the best UG law dissertation. Prize is £100 worth of books or book vouchers.
- The Knights Solicitors Prize, sponsored by Knights Solicitors, for the student with the best performance in Commercial Law. Prize may include one week's work experience with Knights Solicitors.
- mgf Solicitors Prize, sponsored by mgf Solicitors, a prize of £500 for the Law Student of the Year on the basis of outstanding academic ability, alongside contribution to the School or wider community.
- The Pinsent Mason Prize, sponsored by Pinsent Mason Solicitors, for the student demonstrating the highest overall academic performance in Employment Law. The prize takes the form of a work experience placement (non-paid) of up to 2 weeks at Pinsent Masons’ Manchester office under the supervision of Partner and Keele alumnus, Neil Black.
- The Patrick Thornberry Prize, in honour of Professor Emeritus Patrick Thornberry, for the best dissertation in Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice (HRGJ).
- The St Giles Hospice Care Prize for the best dissertation in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care (MEPC).
- The SPIRE Barrister Prize for the best dissertation in Safeguarding Adults: Law, Policy & Practice (SALPP).
- The SPIRE Barrister Prize for the best dissertation in Child Care Law & Practice (CCLP).
Celine Sjauw, Level III Law Student 2016/17
My experience at Sidney Lee & Co. in Hong Kong was insightful. On my first day, I was well received and the staffs were friendly. I settled in at the office quickly and was ready to learn. During the two weeks, I was fortunate to accompany Mr. Albert Hwang in a private family court hearing and assisting another associate in an interview with a client, where I had conducted the initials questions. In addition, I had the opportunity to create the first draft of documents in the bundle. I was constantly learning at the firm; it was great! The work experience was definitely a worthwhile opportunity and constructive to my further study.
Alice Shirley, Level III Law Student 2013-14
This summer, due to my success in Land Law throughout year two, I was awarded the opportunity of a week's work experience with Silverman Sherliker LLP. Throughout the week, I spent time working alongside Paul Dutch, a partner of the firm who specialises in residential and commercial property development. During my time at Harold Benjamin, the theories and concepts of Land Law that I had been taught in lectures came alive. I was allowed to get involved with the process of drafting documents and asked for my opinion on matters. Also, as the firm is just outside of London, I got the opportunity to consider the commercial property side of Land Law as many of Paul’s clients are plc companies. I would highly recommend striving for this work experience to anyone in year two as it was an invaluable experience in a fast paced city firm; an experience completely different to any other work placements I have completed before.