The launch event brought together legal industry partners, Â鶹ֱ²¥ alumni working in the legal profession and the University's first cohort of 140 undergraduate Law students who began their studies this September.
The evening began with a formal opening of the Moot Court by The Honourable Ms Justice Sonia Harris DBE.
This was followed by a demonstration moot with Ms Justice Harris on the panel alongside Tim Smith, partner at law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, and Dame Vera Baird KC. The moot scenario involved injuries caused by a rogue AI-controlled cricket ball made by Mr Anthony Starc, a PhD student and part-time lab technician at Â鶹ֱ²¥ University.
Counsel for the injured cricketers Dr Tom Frost, Senior Lecturer at Â鶹ֱ²¥ Law, argued that Mr Starc was responsible for the injuries and the University should be held vicariously liable. The panel agreed that Mr Starc was responsible, but preferred the arguments of Dr Mary Jiyani, Lecturer at Â鶹ֱ²¥ Law, and found that the University was not liable.
The moot was followed by a drinks reception with speeches from Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Justin Waring, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Professor Rosemary Hunter KC (hon), Head of Law.
Professor Rosemary Hunter said: “It’s been a huge privilege to have the opportunity to lead the development of law at Â鶹ֱ²¥ and I’m enormously pleased and proud to mark the launch of our LLB programme. Making Â鶹ֱ²¥ Law has been a team effort in every sense, and my heartfelt thanks go to all those in the Department, the School, the University and beyond who have contributed to it. Above all, I want to thank our students for choosing to come to Â鶹ֱ²¥ and for sharing our excitement for doing something new and adventurous.”
The celebrations concluded with the cutting of a cake shaped like a volume of law reports. Students from the inaugural LLB cohort also received commemorative certificates recognising their place in the University's history as the first undergraduates to study law at Â鶹ֱ²¥.
Professor Nick Jennings said: “The launch of Â鶹ֱ²¥ Law is a landmark moment for the University. Establishing a new academic department is a rare opportunity, and we are delighted to welcome our inaugural cohort of LLB students as they begin their studies with us.
“With our new Moot Court and a strong network of legal and industry partners, we are creating an environment where students can thrive. Â鶹ֱ²¥ Law has been founded with a clear ambition: to deliver innovative legal education and interdisciplinary research that helps tackle the challenges facing society today and in the future.”