Law

Why choose Girton?

Girton has a longstanding tradition in the study of the law and is proud of its immensely distinguished alumni in this field.  Girton lawyers have always been pioneers.  To mention but a few, the College Visitor, Baroness Hale is the first and, so far, only female Justice in the Supreme Court; Lady Justice Arden – now a Lady Justice of Appeal- was the first female High Court Judge to be assigned to the Chancery Division; Dame Elizabeth Gloster is the first female judge appointed to the Commercial Court and is a Lady Justice of Appeal and Dame Rosalyn Higgins was the first woman who became a President of the International Court of Justice.

The college has a large and very friendly community of lawyers, both at undergraduate and graduate level.  Two of the teaching Law Fellows, Dr Albors-Llorens and Dr Palmer are University Senior Lecturers and supervise, respectively, in European Union Law and Constitutional Law. Dr Tofaris is a lecturer in Law and supervises Girton undergraduates in three other compulsory subjects: Civil Law, Law of Tort and Law of Contract.  This ensures that Girton students are taught by at least one college Fellow every year of their Law Tripos. Excellence in teaching is a priority for all Girton law fellows and we form strong bonds with our students which continue well beyond the end of their time in Girton.

We are fortunate to attract excellent law candidates and we provide not only a thriving academic environment but also the encouragement and support which we believe are vital to allow students to blossom and reach their full potential. We want them to remember Girton not only as a place where they received a first class legal education but also somewhere where they were happy and where they felt confident and valued.

Undergraduate information

There are usually between 24 and 28 undergraduates reading Law at Girton. The law section of the College library includes a large collection of reports, journals and books. There is also a very active Law Society, run entirely by the students, which organises mooting competitions, career events and guest speaker seminars. It also organises social events including a summer garden party and the Annual Dinner, which is the highlight of the Society's calendar.  In addition, students in their second and third year operate a system of mentoring for first year lawyers which ensures that new students soon feel totally integrated in the Girton community.

We encourage our students to apply for vacation placements in solicitors' firms and/or mini-pupillages in barristers' chambers and the Directors of Studies give advice about application and careers. There is normally one major and very successful annual alumni event when current students meet recent and old Girton law graduates.

Graduate information

The College welcomes graduate students and provides an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment.  There are usually five or six LLM and three PhD students during any one year. Dr Albors-Llorens and Dr Palmer (Director of Studies for the LLM) lecture in courses on the LLM program and are able to give informed advice on academic or course related matters. We appreciate the importance of making graduate students feel an integral part of the Girton community.  In addition to two College feasts, there are a number of formal halls, where graduate students from all disciplines and their guests and College fellows meet and dine together.   The College Law Society also holds events during the year and graduate students are encouraged to participate. 

Research and postgraduate students are admitted to the University by the Board of Graduate Studies. You must therefore apply centrally and not to the College, however you must be admitted to a College to be able to study at the University. To ensure that this is Girton you need to indicate this on your application form.

Career destinations

The majority of Girton law graduates move into practice either as solicitors, frequently in the top law firms in the City, or as barristers. However, and given the flexibility that a law degree affords, there are many Girton law graduates who have pursued varied and highly successful careers.