Students

Our Student group serves the interests of students in law, environmental science and any other discipline with relevance to environmental law. We aim to assist you to establish yourself within your area of practice, by enhancing your professional skills - through providing professional and social networking opportunities, continuing education and development and through supporting the aims of UKELA generally. You are welcome to participate in our activities and make the most of the very valuable opportunities such participation provides.

However, please note that we are unable to give specific advice about essays or careers.

Join Us

Student membership is only £15 for the year 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 interested in Environmental Law.  If you would like to know more, get in touch with our student advisers. Once you have become a member of UKELA, you can join our exclusive Facebook group, an online platform that connects a community of students interested in environmental law.

Student Advisers

We have two student advisers who bridge the gap between our student members and UKELA's senior management team. They keep our Council up to date with student activity and keep you informed about forthcoming competitions, opportunities and events via this page, Facebook and Twitter. They also promote the benefits of membership to students across the UK. Read more about our current advisers on the right.

Student Vocational Bursary Scheme

The bursary was not awarded in 2020.

Andrew Lees Essay Prize

The winner of the Andrew Lees essay prize in 2019 was Ryan Ross. Ryan is a History graduate (MA, MSc) from the University of Glasgow.

Please see the Andrew Lees Essay Prize page for more details. The prize was not awarded in 2020.

Student Environmental Law Conference

The winner of the prize in 2019 was Yahya Al-Qaq. His presentation at the Student Environmental Law Conference earned him a year's free UKELA student membership. Yahya was born in Florida, USA, where he subsequently lived for several years. He currently resides in Jerusalem, Israel and concluded his LLB studies at Cardiff University. He plans on pursuing a commercial-based LLM next year.

Events and Competitions

Competitions

MOOT - The 2020 Moot Competition finals were held online on 6th May 2020. Details on the competition and winners are on our Moot Competition page

ESSAY - The 2020 competition did not run. Please see the Andrew Lees Essay Prize page for more details.

BURSARY - The Student Bursary Fund is intended to enable students to undertake a period of vocational placement (such as an internship or externship) in the field of environmental law. It is offered on a yearly basis, subject to funding being available. Please see the Student Bursary fund page for more details

Events

We run a wide range of events, the majority of which offer limited free student places. Our larger events such as the Annual Conference and Wild Law weekend are not free, but we try to offer some low cost places for those on limited incomes. Our events page lists all current events.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE - usually held in June or July, we offer a limited number of discounted student places

SEMINARS - held in the early evenings around the UK or online, on hot topics, with free student places

PIEL CONFERENCE - we are pleased to support the annual PIEL Conference organised by students.

You are also encouraged to join in with the activities of our Working Parties, Regional Groups and Devolved Administration groups, as well as our Special Interest groups such as Wild Law. Take a look at the relevant pages for more details.

e-law Student Publication Opportunity

Interested in co-authoring a hot topic article with a environmental professional? We provide opportunities for students to publish their work in our members' journal, e-law, circulated to over 1400 practitioners.

Please submit a short (less than 500 words) abstract for consideration by email to one of our Student Advisors. If selected, your article should be written with the assistance of a practitioner in that field. Articles can be on the e-law issue theme or on any topic related to environmental law. 

WE OFFER a wide range of activities and events for students 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. Read about some of our current members who joined as student members themselves. Our current Chair joined as a student member as did 2 of our Vice Chairs and many of our trustees.

WE RECEIVE a lot of enquiries about internships and work placements. As a small organisation without an office, we are rarely able to offer these ourselves. Any opportunities we do have will be advertised on our website and social media. However, many law firms, government bodies and NGOs do offer placements, so you are advised to apply directly (we can't supply a list). The Law Society website identifies firms which practise environmental law.

SECURING a placement or pupillage is 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.