'Why Law Schools Must Become More Global' by Dean Thom Brooks of Durham Law School

I'm hugely honoured to contribute to the launch of this important blog and support this terrific new student society. Becoming the Dean of Durham Law School is an enormous privilege - and responsibility. The legal market our students are entering is more competitive than ever. As swift economic and technological changes happen so quickly, the law can often lag behind -- and law schools take even longer to catch up. So what can be done?

Far too many UK law schools are stuck in a past century. The overwhelming majority, if not entirety, of teaching isn't just focused on the core for an English and Welsh qualifying law degree, it rarely goes much further. While the curriculum of UK law schools is generally identical to what was taught a hundred years ago, everything has changed since. Obvious examples are the rise and increasing complexity of globalisation - and the growing reaction against it from those not directly benefitting or the remarkable progress made with technology whether it is bitcoins or the gig economy.

Further changes include the increasing internationalisation of more global law staff and a far more global body of law students. With such diversity, this should be a major benefit of any legal education but too often it is underutilised.

There is a need for a fit for purpose, world leading legal education for those wanting to practice in the UK to be more global. This means exposing students to not only basics of international law, but elements of different systems including most especially the United States and China. Legal practice within and beyond the City at firms large and small, commercial and non-commercial increasingly work across borders. Our legal education must prepare students for such a world.

I'm proud that Durham has been developing a more diversified legal education to prepare our students for such a world. In addition to a number of staff incorporating engagement with US law into modules, we've launched the largest Centre for Chinese Law and Policy outside Asia. Durham is one of the very best - either second or third year to year in getting our students into the top firms. Moves like these - which other law schools neglect at their peril - will only further improve the incredible employability of our students.

Such work supports the activities of excellent student societies like this. I wish its launch every success. It has the law school's full support.

Thom Brooks