Coventry University raises the bar to celebrate 50 years of law

Legal brains across the country came together to celebrate 50 years of law degrees in Coventry and the founding of one of the first courses of its kind in the UK.

Over 130 alumni, students and staff members took part in a celebration on October 1 to look back on changes and mark the anniversary of the first degree in the name of the Law School.

As well as visiting new campus buildings, guests shared photographs, memories and success spanning the history of the course during an evening at Combe Abbey.

Coventry’s teaching of its own law degrees began in 1966 under Dr William Frank at what was then Lanchester Polytechnic and one of the first institutions in the UK to offer the newly created business and law degree.

In its first year, 18 students studied at ‘The Lanch’ - and 50 years on, around 300 graduate each year from what has become Coventry Law School.

Over its lifetime the course has seen 11 heads of law and many changes including a transformation to Coventry Polytechnic and later Coventry University, the first intake of female students in 1969 and a growing popularity internationally.

Coventry’s law graduates have gone on to become partner in their own firms, have acted as president of the Law Society of England and Wales, and been named Warwickshire Law Society Young Lawyer of the Year.

Stephen Foster, head of Coventry School of Law said:

The 50^th anniversary event was a huge success and we were delight to welcome back so many former students and staff to see how Coventry has evolved.

“A great deal has changed since 1966, and indeed since I arrived in 1977.

Since that time we have become Coventry University, witnessed fundamental changes to our legal system, our law and legal technology, and have seen a massive shift in the demography of our students and the way law degrees are delivered.

"But one thing that has not changed is how we pride ourselves on teaching and our ability to educate our students in the essential skills of learning and applying the law.

"I hope that the next 50 years at the Law School are as rewarding and exciting as these have been.”