Mature student scoops legal essay prize

A mature student from MMU’s School of Law has scooped the Betesh Partnership Solicitors Essay Prize. Christine Dobson was selected by judges for her consistently strong essay and awarded with a cheque for £350 by Nick Heywood, Head of Property at Betesh Partnership Solicitors, at a recent presentation.

After successfully completing her Graduate Diploma in Law at MMU last year, Christine is now undertaking her Legal Practice Course part-time over two years whilst gaining work experience as a paralegal at Bott & Co in Wilmslow. She has two teenage children and worked as an interior designer until just last year.

The right decision

Christine said: "I’d always intended to have a career in law but working and family life took over after university and it was put on the back burner. I recently decided, however, that it was now or never and to just go for it! I’ve been really enjoying the course and winning the essay award has filled me with confidence, not to mention proved to me that I’ve made the right decision. I feel I have a lot to offer the profession and life experience makes me well equipped to deal with both clients and cases."

MMU students stand out

Nick Heywood, Partner at Betesh Partnership Solicitors, said: "Securing a training contract is increasingly competitive and employers are looking for law students who stand out from the crowd and have something different to offer. We currently have two graduates from MMU’s School of Law training with us and we’ve been very happy with them. We need work-ready trainees who can hit the ground running and MMU is doing a great job in bridging the gap between theory and the practicalities of working in the legal profession."

Nick continues: "As a Manchester-based law firm building links with a regional University and supporting local law students is important to us. I’ve been very impressed with what the School of Law offers both in terms of resources, from mock courtrooms to podcasts, and the standard of teaching and contacts. Law students are better trained today than they ever have been and I put that down to universities like MMU. I wish Christine all the best for her future career and look forward to growing our relationship with the University."

The presentation was also attended by Miceal Barden, Head of Law at MMU, and School of Law Careers Adviser Nick Touati.

For further information on full and part-time legal courses at MMU go to www.law.mmu.ac.uk