Jack
Ferdinando

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I chose to study Business Law because I have always had an intrinsic interest in Law and commerce. Unlike Business with Law it is an (LLB) hons, but with tailored modules such as Company Law and International Trade Law.

What recent assignments have you had? What has stood out?

Some of my favourite assignments have arisen through my participation in the mooting module this year, for spoken advocacy is the method of examination I most favour, as I have a genuine interest in mooting.

The other assignment that stood out for me was my coursework paper on International Trade Law, purely for the fact that it is the first coursework I had done where I enjoyed doing the research for it.

What marks out of 10 would you give for course facilities and why?

I would give the course facilities a 9/10. If one aspires to be a barrister, NTU have all the necessary facilities to set one on their way down that path. With multiple mock courtrooms, a library with a dedicated BTC student section and the NLS Pro Bono Committee they are leading the standard.

Does the “real” NTU match what you’d imagined? How does it compare with your friends experience at other universities?

I think that NTU is often underplayed because it is a polytechnic university rather than a Russel Group; the fact is NTU is a very professional environment with top tier facilities that has won numerous awards in recent years for it’s standards in teaching. It is a University on the rise.

What three words would you use to describe Nottingham?

Creative, Diverse and innovative.

Where would you recommend visiting in Nottingham?

• The Nottingham Playhouse
• The Motorpoint Ice Hockey Arena
• Visit Wollaton Park
• Rock City
• The Arboretum.

Where is a good place to live as a student?

I have lived as a student in West Bridgford and Old Basford, even with this small bus journey I found it easy and quick to commute into university and me and my housemates did not feel ostracised from the university environment. However, I would suggest living in the city centre.

If you had a (non-academic) problem. Who would you talk to? What would you do?

At NTU everyone has a personal tutor, if I ever had a non-academic issue I would seek her advice.

What’s next for you after NTU?

I now plan to study the BTC LLM at NTU then eventually gain pupillage and be called to the Bar.

Visit to the Supreme Court

My trip to the Supreme Court was a wonderful experience, not only was the guided tour informative and interactive, we were also able to take the opportunity to visit other legal landmarks in London including the gardens of the Honourable Society of the Inner and Middle Temple, the Royal Courts of Justice, a few chambers local to the inns of court and around the Strand area.

We were very lucky to be able to sit in on a matter of insurance/tax law presided on by five Justices one of whom I recognised to be Lady Justice Arden. The opportunity to listen to her deliberate matters of law first hand was an invaluable one.

What helped me most with my studies this year was listening and analysing the style of speech opted for by the barristers acting on the case we sat in on. Whilst one is always told to speak slowly and clearly, it is not until you can witness a professional at the top of their respective field in action to truly appreciate should operate within court.

I would recommend this trip to future students for a multitude of reasons:

• If you are a budding lawyer or barrister, it will give you a more in-depth knowledge of the workings of our legal system in the UK
• It offers an opportunity to get to meet new classmates with shared interests
• It offers opportunities to visit other areas of legal interest in the area.