Gemma Tooze Law
Gemma from the聽Vale of Glamorgan is studying LLB Law聽
Why Bangor?
When I attended the Open Day, the Law School had a strong focus on academics and career options, both within and outside the law. This made me realise that a law degree from Bangor Law School can open doors to many careers and made me feel confident that Bangor is the right place for me. The library and study spaces are exactly what I wanted, with a wide variety of legal resources and within walking distance of the lecture theatres聽and Halls of Residence.
The Course
The best things about the course so far have been the co-curricular activities such as mooting (mock court advocacy), guest talks with legal practitioners by the Law Society, and the Cymuned (Community) project where I have been able to help establish a legal advice clinic with the Law School and local Citizens Advice Bureau.
The Seminars (where we discuss the law in small focus groups) are a great way for us to enhance our understanding of the law beyond the lecture notes and textbooks.
Support
The Student Services Disability Advisers have been fantastic in helping me secure extra time for my exams.
Clubs and Societies
Yes, I am the President of the Law Society. We run social events such as our Winter Ball and guest talks with legal practitioners who advise students on how to get work experience and what it is like to work in their area of the law. In my first year, I mooted as Lead Counsel in the Legal Advocacy Society's mooting competitions. This was fantastic as it allowed me to apply the knowledge I had gained in lectures to a fictional case.
Social Life
I really enjoy the Campus Life yoga on a Saturday morning at the St Mary's Halls of Residence. It's a great way to relax.
Living in Halls
Yes, the Halls of Residence are well maintained and very welcoming. The rooms are a comfortable size and the gym is on site. I still live in halls and now volunteer as a Residential Mentor supporting students' welfare. I absolutely love it.
Best thing about Bangor?
I love living in between the Menai Strait and Snowdonia National Park. The views are so picturesque. The students union (Undeb Bangor) is always available to support students and make their time at Bangor extra special. As well as running the sports team, Undeb Bangor oversees more than 200 societies and volunteering projects, all of which are free to join!
Work Placement
During the summer of 2020 I was an intern with the Law School researching Access to Justice and Clinical Legal Education in north and mid Wales. Here I carried out background research for the Law School's Cymuned project into whether there was a need for a legal clinic in north Wales, contacting local solicitors firms to ask if they provide free legal advice, and if so, in what form. I also compiled a table of career resources for aspiring solicitors within the Law School.
Bangor Employability Award
The University's Careers and Employability service run CV workshops, mock interviews and can help with career planning. Students can be awarded BEA points for all the Careers and Employability events they attended and can be awarded the Gold, Silver, or Bronze BEA award upon graduation.