How UKELA can help

Events

UKELA student members are welcome to attend all UKELA events and places are often free of charge.

Annual Conference

The annual conference spans a weekend, usually in June, and there are at least two student places offered to UKELA members at a substantial discount. These nearly always go within days of the conference being first advertised so get in quickly if you want one of them. The conference features top speakers on environmental law, plenary discussions, working party sessions, field trips, a gala dinner in a prestigious venue. The discounted places include accommodation for the whole weekend. The conference is normally attended by over 200 people working in environmental law so it's a great networking opportunity. Two Andrew Lees article competition winners also receive free places so enter the competition (look out for this being advertised from October until its closing date in January) for a chance to win.

Scottish Conference

The Scottish Regional Group usually holds a one day conference each autumn. Places are offered free of charge to students - you don't need to be a student member to attend but all places need to be booked and it's first come, first served. If you're a tutor and want to bring your students, please contact the organisers to see if this will be possible.

Working party and regional group meetings

Group meetings are open to students and are a good way of learning more about the substance and practice of environmental law, as well asmeeting people. Visit the events diary and, if you see a group meeting that's of interest, please contact the convenor to check it's OK to attend. Some UKELA student members are very active members of groups and all are welcome to contribute, organise events and help out in any way they can.

Student careers and social evening

Students considering a career in environmental law or a related area are warmly invited to come along to our social and careers advice evening, which takes place once a year. The format is informal, with advice from UKELA members including those working as solicitors or barristers in private practice, employed lawyers (in the private and public sectors, including the Government Legal Service, and NGOs), environmental consultants, and regulators. The evening has been hosted in recent years thanks to the generosity of Freshields Bruckhaus Deringer and Landmark Chambers. It includes a short presentation on UKELA and career options in environmental law, but its main focus is one-to-one and group discussions and advice about career options. The evening is always popular and well attended by students from a wide range of academic establishments across the country. The event is held in November or December each year (25th November in 2009).

Internships and work placements

UKELA receives a lot of enquiries about internships and work placements. UKELA is a small organisation without an office so we are unable to offer these ourselves. However, many law firms, government bodies and NGOs with UKELA members do offer placements, and students are advised to identify their targets and apply directly (UKELA is not able to supply a list). The Law Society website identifies firms which practise environmental law, andthe usual directories of the legal and related professions are also important sources of information.

Securing a placement or pupillage is of course very competitive. Being a member of an organisation like UKELA will broaden your experience and knowledge, and also enhance your profile by providing networking opportunities with professionals working in relevant areas. It will also allow you to contribute to the development of environmental law as a volunteer through the groups and other activities.