Students
Student Adviser
The student adviser to UKELA's Council is Claire Collis.
She is currently studying a part-time distance learning LLM in Environmental Law and Management at Aberystwyth University.
She recently completed her Graduate Diploma in Law at University of Plymouth and has a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Geoscience from Cardiff University.
Claire's email is collisclaire@hotmail.com.
Moot finals 2010 at UCL
The finals of the Andrew Lees Prize and the Moots have now been held. You can read about them on our Recent Events page.
The winner of the Simon Ball Prize has been announced and the two bursary winners for 2010 have been chosen. You can read about the prizes and bursary on the relevant pages. Competitions will open again in the autumn of 2010 - watch this space if you're interested in entering (although all student members of UKELA will get early notice).
If you want to join UKELA as a student it's only £15 and you have the chance to attend UKELA events free of charge or at low cost. You get to hear about all our events and competitions first - so do consider it if you're interesting in Environmental Law.
Student group mission
As a division of UKELA, the UKELA Student Group is focused on serving the interests of students in law, environmental science, and any other discipline with relevance to environmental law. The UKELA Student Group aims to assist students to establish themselves within their area of practice by enhancing their professional skills through providing professional and social networking opportunities, continuing education and development and through supporting the aims of UKELA generally.
UKELA does receive enquiries from students for help in writing essays, as well as general enquiries relating to careers in environmental law. Although we welcome students to participate in our activities - and they can be a very valuable opportunity to discuss such issues with practitioners who are members of the Association, UKELA itself has limited resources and is unable to give specific advice about essays or careers.
The importance of getting involved
UKELA offers a wide range of activities and events for students to get involved in which will help to develop your knowledge of and interest in environmental law. Becoming an active member of UKELA by attending events, participating in working parties and regional groups and volunteering to help with UKELA’s various charitable activities is a fantastic way to meet interesting people from a wide range of backgrounds that share your passion for the environment. Getting involved will also provide you with insight into the current issues facing environmental law and hopefully help to set you on your path to a career in environmental law.
Getting involved as a student volunteer is highly regarded in the very competitive legal job market.
Events and conferences
UKELA offer a wide range of events that are often free of charge to students. Attending conferences and events is a fantastic way to develop your knowledge of legal issues that affect the environment from a range of perspectives. UKELA runs a diverse events programme which offers not only an opportunity to learn, but also to engage in some all important networking with a range of different people involved in environmental law. You are warmly welcomed to all UKELA events and encouraged to participate as valued members of UKELA.
The following events are held every year and always attract an enthusiastic group of participants:
- Annual Conference - Two heavily discounted student places are provided every year. Discounted places are always available with cheaper accommodation and shared bathrooms.
- Working party and regional group meetings - see the events diary and individual group pages for the full programme. Contact the convenor to let them know you plan to attend. Places usually free to students.
- Student careers and social evening - this is held annually (usually November) in London. The date for 2010's event is Tuesday 23 November at Landmark Chambers on Fleet Street - note your diaries. Further details will be posted later in the year.
Environmental Law Student Handbook
We are currently putting together an Environmental Law Student Handbook which will contain useful information about pursuing a career in environmental law, including personal accounts from environmental law practitioners about their career paths, information about institutions offering environmental law programmes, and general tips on securing traineeships and pupillage.
If you would like to contribute please contact Claire Collis collisclaire@hotmail.com.
Public Interest Environmental Law Conference 2010
UKELA, as in previous years, supported the annual PIEL Conference which this year discussed "Trading towards Unsustainability: The legal Challenges?" A link to the podcasts is below.