Nearly Legal writes:
“Our non-lawyer/law student readers, or even non-barrister readers, might have to forgive us for this for this Naughty Step, but it was too good to resist, particularly for those of us – i.e. me – still newly qualified enough to harbour memories of their professional courses (LPC/BVC), and also familiar, from the other side, with the conduct of University exam committees.
And so, we welcome to the Step Cardiff Law School, who are here for their truly remarkably inappropriate behaviour in the face of a High Court order, as well as managing to ensure that they lost a judicial review of the conduct of their exam committees.
Clarke, R (on the application of) v Cardiff University [2009] EWHC 2148 (Admin) was a judicial review of Cardiff University Law School brought by a BVC student from 2004/5, Ms Clarke. The story went something like this…”
Read the rest of the post – not a great story for Cardiff Law School
In fact… it is disgraceful…. do read it. It is cringe making…. OUCH!
Its not just the law faculty at Cardiff that seem to be perpetuating injustice on students wishing to enter the learned professions. 1 medical student was told wrongly that he had failed finals this year. 4 were wrongly told that they had passed, after they had starting practicing as junior doctors. Sigh.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/08/21/medical-students-can-appeal-decision-to-stop-them-working-91466-24495848/
John… yes I saw that story in the press yesterday. Mistakes do occur, unfortunately, rather serious one in the case of the medical students – but there was really no excuse for the way these lawyers behaved…. extraordinary… ironic… for lawyers charged with teaching law students to disregard basic principles of ‘natural justice’… hey ho. Good on Ms walsh for pressing on with the matter.
What I don’t get with these law faculties and law schools etc., is why they singularly fail to appreciate that they never win when these disputes go public. Even if they are essentially in the right, the very fact that there is a “law student sues law school” headline will always leave the latter looking like a total arse. Or, as with Cardiff, a really big arse.
Doubtless, the ever vigilant BSB to will leap into action, in its usual fashion; displaying all the purpose and enthusiasm of the asthmatic fat kid on school sports day.
BarBoy… on this one I’m astonished that it was allowed to get so far….. maybe law schools should consider getting a compliance officer who knows a bit of law?
Or, failing that, just a tincy, whincy bit about public relations ?
The “compliance officers” are really the external examiners but this case demonstrates just how flimsy such compliance can be and subject to “regulatory conversations”. But, that doesn’t suggest that private sector compliance officers would be any better at doing the job. And as for pr, we do have a bit of a problem with creating precedents. That’s not to excuse what went on here, of course, which was just bad practice (and almost definitely not representative of practice at the academic part of the Cardiff law school).
A non-practicing Barrister is challenging the Bar Council in the Employment Tribunal over compulsory funding of pupillages rule. The Claimant alleges Indirect Race Discrimination against the Bar Council. The Claimant is Black African!
Venue : London Central Employment Tribunal
Hearing Dates: 26-28 August 2009
Cardiff Law School has always had a very good reputation – I doubt whether there is an institution in the country without some form of error in delivery, administration etc – I suspect the wheels just dropped off on this one and things went pearshaped.
These things shouldn’t happen – but they do and I am certain Cardiff will put it right. I remember Professor Avrom Sher, IALS and then Director of Education at MacFarlanes, saying at a conference – making an error gives you the opportunity to sort it and show good you are. He is right.
It is fair to note what happened – but it is equally fair, and I have no hesitation in saying so – that the quality of teaching and resource at Cardiff is very good – this is why they are a popular university.
I have pinched your naughty step and employed it over on ROF for the honourable and time honoured purpose of winding people up a bit when I am bored
@sumoking – Actually, that’s my naughty step image, as the text might suggest. Been using it for years…
You are welcome to use it -but a credit would be polite
Sumoking… Hi… It is Nearly Legal’s image, not mine – but he has got there before me!
I will rectify that now nearly legal
Sumoking – I only asked for a credit, not an abject confession
it’s the phrase ‘the Nearly Legal Naughty Step’ that first alerted me to where it might have come from. but i did do a degree in books, rather than law.
Simply Wondered
A common stumbling block for the lay man.
Have you heard the expression possession is 9/10ths of the Law?
Well, essentially this applies to find stuff too, ie, finding stuff is 9/10ths of the theft as it were.