The Futures of Legal Education and the Legal Profession

The UK is currently witnessing an unprecedented transformation in the legal profession and in legal education. The Legal Services Act 2007 and the Legal Aid, Sentencing, Prisoners and Offenders Act 2013 have both enabled and necessitated dramatic structural changes to the profession, and have impacted its ethos and ethicality. The recent Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) promises similarly dramatic change to the provision of legal education in the UK, reflecting the shifting landscape of both the legal professional market and higher education in general. These transformative changes bring both exciting opportunities and challenges with which everyone involved in the law must grapple - from university lecturers, to senior partners in leading law firms, to the judiciary. This collection comprises a selection of papers presented at the second conference of CEPLER, Birmingham Law School's Center for Professional Legal Education and Research. The book brings together leading academic scholars, senior figures from professional practice, policy-makers, and representatives of the regulatory authorities, to reflect on the key issues arising from this transformative moment. As such, the essays covers diverse ground - from curriculum development to professional theory - that are enriched and enhanced by the range of backgrounds and perspectives of the contributors. The book is essential for those working within legal education and the legal profession.

Hilary Sommerlad is Professor of Law and Research Director of the Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) at Birmingham Law School. Sonia Harris-Short is former Professor of Family Law and Policy at Birmingham Law School and the former Head of CEPLER. Steven Vaughan is a Lecturer and Education Director of CEPLER at Birmingham Law School. Richard Young is Professor of Law and Policy at the University of Birmingham.