Nottingham Law School trains Oman’s lawyers of the future
A bespoke course designed to enhance key legal skills of trainee lawyers in Oman has celebrated its first graduation. Students undertook complex and challenging practical studies at Nottingham Law School, part of Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
By Helen Breese | Published on 29 October 2018
Categories: Press office; Nottingham Law School;
The Diploma in Professional Skills for International Lawyers is a comprehensive programme designed to equip trainees for practice and to enable them to play a greater role on the world stage.
It was developed and delivered by Nottingham Law School in partnership with the Ministry of Justice in Oman to provide students with a unique opportunity to experience legal practice in a common law jurisdiction within an international setting.
The first group of 20 students were sponsored by the Omani National Training Fund to undertake the training in Nottingham. The students, who were all recent graduates or trainees, have now returned to full-time legal positions in Oman.
During their studies the students undertook workshops in case analysis, research, client interviewing, negotiation, advocacy and drafting.
As part of the programme, they also took part in competitive moots, mediations, arbitrations and a full trial relating to a commercial dispute. They networked with eminent visiting Faculty, including members of the judiciary and high-profile barristers and solicitors.
The group also undertook training in NLS Legal – a multi-award winning ‘teaching’ law firm – where they worked with real life clients on legal cases.
The course included visits to the criminal law courts in Nottingham, the High Court and Supreme Court in London, and a trip to Berlin as part of Nottingham Law School’s international summer school programme, which provided a unique opportunity to study pressing issues in international criminal justice.
Dean of Nottingham Law School, Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker, said: “Drawing on the expertise of colleagues across the university, and nationally and internationally, we were able to expose these students to a new and different set of skills and knowledge.
“The students embraced every learning opportunity provided to them, demonstrating their commitment to serving Oman and its people as hard-working, fair-minded, creative-thinking and skilful lawyers.”
The Diploma awards were presented at a graduation ceremony in Oman by Professor Cillian Ryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College at Nottingham Trent University, with a welcome from Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker and a vote of thanks from His Excellency Issa bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Azri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice.
The next cohort of students from Oman on this programme are due to start at Nottingham Law School in the Autumn of 2019.
Notes for Editors
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About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2017 at the Times Higher Education Awards, and Modern University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.
NTU has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.
NTU is one of the largest UK universities. With 30,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. It is one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings. 96% of its graduates go on to employment or further education within six months of leaving.
The University is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable Nottingham Trent to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.
With an international student population of over 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.