Dr Michael John-Hopkins
Senior Lecturer in Law, Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Mail:

Have you ever wondered how the law affects every aspect of our lives: getting a mobile phone contract, renting a flat, posting on social media or even ending a relationship?

Or have you ever considered what it is like being a lawyer – analysing evidence, questioning witnesses or making arguments to a judge and jury?

The School of Law at Oxford Brookes University are thrilled to invite local A-Level students to participate in our free summer school and gain hands-on experience of what it is like to be a lawyer.

Through attending the summer school, we hope you will gain a deeper understanding of how our political and legal institutions govern society, as well as how our society changes through the law.

You will also discover what it is like to study at a university recently rated as one of the world’s top law schools in the QS World University Rankings.

The Summer School will take place from August 16-19 and will be based in the beautiful Headington Hill Hall, a stunning 19th century mansion with extensive grounds, and home to the School of Law.

Learning the law is fun and over the four days we have lots of practical activities planned.

There will be a trip to the local crown court and police station, we will help you prepare and stage a mock trial and of course you will get to engage in some interactive seminars and lectures with our law staff and students as well as practising judges and lawyers.

You will also see some of our great facilities, such as our very own moot court where you can try and win a case in front of a judge.

Making persuasive arguments and public speaking are just some of the practical legal skills we train all our students in.

Not only are they great skills to learn but they’re also great fun.

My own journey into law started in my mid-20s and when I went to work for the prosecution team at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.

After that I worked with asylum seekers and refugees at the UK Refugee Council and have since published in the fields of international humanitarian law, and refugee and asylum law.

I chose to study law because I love being part of investigations and helping people solve their legal problems.

I found the work stimulating and fascinating, as you get to learn a lot about how both the world and the people in it work.

You get to piece together how and why things have gone wrong and be part of the process of fixing them.

I like the discipline of working in law, but my favourite part is the creativity involved in solving legal puzzles and trying to change things for the better.

Even if you have never studied law before or only just thought about it, but are up for a challenge and want to experience what studying in a university is like, then this could be a great programme for you.

Find out more about the programme and how to apply at brookes.ac.uk/studying-at-brookes/schools-and-colleges/activities/law.