Celebrating the success of LawFest 2025

Thank you to colleagues across FCLP and the University for their tremendous support at LawFest this week.

LawFest received approximately 200 GCSE and A-level students from across 15 local schools, including state and private sector schools such as Oakgrove, Shenley Brook End, Hazeley Academy, Denbigh, Lord Grey, Radcliffe, Thornton College, St Paul’s, Akeley Wood, Vandyke, Bridge Academy, and the Royal Latin. This represents a 20% increase in attendance from 2024.

The event showcased routes into law through the LLB Law degree at Buckingham, as well as apprenticeships supported by international, national, and local law firms, including Travers Smith, Dentons, Machins, EMW Law, Pictons, Osborne Morris and Morgan (OMM), and MK City Council. The pupils received breakout sessions with Travers Smith – ‘Routes into Law’ and ‘Life as a Legal Professional’ hosted by Dentons, EMW Law, OMM, and Machins.

Initial data collection indicates approximately 30% of attendees completed feedback surveys, with a positive interest in a Level 3 Apprenticeship Paralegal Programme from both pupils and stakeholders.

Hear from attendees

Thornton College: Massive thanks for such a brilliant LawFest yesterday! It was better than ever. The talks were excellent – really on point and helpful for the students. The logistics of such an event are huge, and you cope with it so well. We really appreciate all your efforts to engage with and support local school students.

The Bridge Sixth Form: Many of our students had never seen a university campus and the experience of Lawfest for us so inspirational for them, especially seeing more than one way to enter a career path. Feedback from students has been positive, and the speakers this year catered to all levels of entry into a career in law, which was great! Thanks for hosting this, I think it was the busiest one yet!

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the event. In particular, my sincere appreciation goes to Julie O’Shea, Lecturer in Clinical Legal Practice, and James Slater, Reader in Law, for their outstanding dedication and meticulous work in organising every detail.

Special thanks are also due to Obinna Edeji, Lecturer in Law, and Gar Yein Ng, Senior Lecturer in Law, whose professionalism and enthusiasm were evident as they guided pupils and responded to queries throughout the day.

I am grateful to the Marketing Department for their continued efforts in building a strong network and generating valuable connections; to the Apprenticeship Team for effectively showcasing our programmes and offerings; to Catering Services for the excellent food provided; and to our IT, Maintenance, and Security Teams, whose support ensured the smooth running of the event.

Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and Provost, delivered a welcome speech that beautifully captured the spirit of The University of Buckingham: a small, friendly, safe, and diverse environment where everyone is empowered to achieve great things.

On a personal note, this event once again reaffirmed that collaboration and teamwork are among our greatest strengths as an institution.

– Professor Adolfo Paolini, Dean of Law