After a decade of close and productive collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, the University of Glasgow gave notice in July 2008 of its intention to withdraw from the Glasgow Graduate School of Law with effect from the end of the 2009-10 academic year. The GGSL will continue to offer the joint Diploma in Legal Practice until the end of the academic year 2009-10. Thereafter the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde will offer their own separate programmes or ‘Professional Education and Training 1’ (PEAT 1) courses as they will be termed.

 

Both Universities have new strategic imperatives which have emerged from a variety of factors including the Law Society’s consultation and their respective RAE performances. Nonetheless both institutions still see the value of collaboration where appropriate. This is a time of considerable change in legal education and the universities are currently awaiting the final outcomes of the Law Society’s consultation on the future of legal education which will emerge at the end of May 2009. It is anticipated that the changes to the Diploma which may be required by the Law Society will take effect from the start of 2010-11, namely, at the time the two institutions will be launching their own single institution Diplomas. There is a substantial demand for Diploma places, with over 400 students seeking 275 places on the 2008-9 Diploma. With the split the Universities will be better able to meet this demand.

 

Strathclyde is committed to the provision of high quality legal education based on its growing reputation as a world-leader in areas such as simulation- and transaction-based learning. In addition to planning for a new Diploma under the leadership of Professor Leo Martin and Ms Karen Barton, Strathclyde is in the process of establishing a wider suite of taught postgraduate programmes with 2 new LLM programmes in International Economic Law and International Law and Sustainable Development to be launched from 2009-10 and a further LLM programme in Environmental Law to be launched in 2010-11.

 

These and our existing masters programmes and professional postgraduate courses will be offered through the Strathclyde Graduate Law School from 2010-11. In addition at undergraduate level Strathclyde has exciting plans to build on the huge success of its award winning Law Clinic by developing a Clinical LLB stream to be launched from 2010-11. The Clinic offers free legal advice to members of the public who are ineligible for legal aid or otherwise unable to pay for legal services. It is designed to enhance the professional skills of students while at the same time providing a valuable community service. This programme will be unique in Scotland and will place Strathclyde in the front rank of the development of legal education in the UK.

 

In research terms Strathclyde performed very well in the RAE2008 coming 13th in the UK based on the RAE grade point average (GPA) and 2nd in Scotland on GPA. 60% of the Law School research activities were ranked at the highest two levels, 3* (internationally excellent) and 4* (world leading) which placed Strathclyde 7th in the UK and 1st= in Scotland. The Law School is in the process of developing research clusters in Sentencing and Punishment, Legal Regulation of Business and Education, Law and Technology. Other research clusters in Human Rights Law and Civil Justice and Dispute Resolution are also under development. The Law School is committed to expanding its PhD student population and has committed to doubling the value of its Campbell Burns scholarships to help attract the best candidates. In short, Strathclyde University Law School is on course for an exciting and successful future. Mark Poustie Head of the Law School