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Law

Fellows

• Dr Albertina Albors-Llorens (Director of Studies)
• Dr Stephanie Palmer (Director of Studies)
• Dr Stelios Tofaris (Director of Studies)

Details and statistics

• Number of students admitted per year (average over 2008-2010): 9
• Entry requirements: all academic A-levels are accepted but A-levels in either History, Mathematics or the Sciences are desirable
• Typical offer: A*AA
• Written test: Law Admissions Test
• Interview arrangements: usually 2 interviews
• Course details: a course guide is available on the Law Faculty website.

Undergraduates

There are usually between 30 and 35 undergraduates reading Law at Girton. All first year Law students live in the main College building. Students in other years have a choice of accommodation, either in the main College building or at Wolfson Court which is only a few minutes’ bike ride from the Law Faculty building, where all Law lectures are given.

Postgraduates

The College accepts postgraduate students for research degrees or for the one-year course for the LL.M. There are usually between 5 and 10 postgraduate students in residence. They are accommodated at Wolfson Court or in houses belonging to the College.

Fellows in Law

• Mr Stelio Tofaris is a College Lecturer in Law and the Director of Studies for Part IA of the Law Tripos. He supervises in Roman law, Tort law and Contract Law and has a special interest in Legal History and Contract Law.
• Dr Albertina Albors-Llorens is a University Senior Lecturer in Law and the Director Studies for Parts IB and II of the Law Tripos. She specialises in the Law of the European Union and Competition Law and supervises and lectures in these subjects.
• Dr Stephanie Palmer is Director of Studies for the LL.M. She is a University Senior Lecturer in Law. She supervises in Constitutional Law and has a special interest in Human Rights.

Library

The Poppy Jolowicz Law Library is situated at Wolfson Court. It has a large collection of law reports, journals and books, and online resources can be accessed from two computers. In addition, Law students have access to the Squire Law Library in the Law Faculty building.

Girton College Law Society

There is a very active College Law Society which is run by the undergraduates. Speakers are invited to the College to address topical issues, and talks and presentations on careers in Law are also arranged. The Society also organises various social events including an annual Garden Party and Dinner. All undergraduates and postgraduates are encouraged to participate in the Society.

The Law Tripos

The Law Tripos has three parts: Part IA is taken at the end of the first year of study, Part IB at the end of the second year and Part II at the end of the final year. The course is designed primarily to provide a liberal education, but it also offers distinct advantages to a student who envisages a professional legal career. It is possible to gain exemption from Part I of the Professional Examinations (whether it be for the Bar or Law Society) so long as the appropriate choice of subjects is made. The selection of subjects is very wide, and it is therefore advantageous to read Law throughout the three years, in order to study not only the basic (or foundation) subjects of the English Common Law and European Union Law, but also other subjects of interest and relevance for future careers. It is, however, possible to change to Law after reading another subject for one or two years, at the discretion of the Directors of Studies and following a written test and a double interview.

There is an opportunity for a small number of undergraduates with language skills to spend a year studying Law in France, Spain, Germany or The Netherlands. This means undertaking a four-year undergraduate course, with the third year spent abroad.

Undergraduates normally attend the lecture courses given in the Law Faculty, although they are not obliged to do so. The Directors of Studies will arrange supervisions in nearly all the examination subjects, although for some papers there will be seminars or classes instead. There is usually one supervision a fortnight in each examination subject; it lasts about an hour and attendance is compulsory. For supervisions in subjects other than those taught by the Girton Law Fellows, undergraduates go to Fellows of other Colleges. Supervisions vary both in form and content. Written work may be criticised, problem questions considered, points raised in lectures discussed, and advice given on reading. The Directors of Studies also give advice on choice of subjects and methods of study.

All undergraduates are encouraged to apply for summer placements in solicitors’ firms and/or mini-pupillages in barristers’ chambers, and the Directors of Studies give advice about applications and careers.