Law

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And so I'm in Newark Airport in New York as I write this, as I'm en route from Quebec City in Canada back to London, after spending a good 10 days in Canada with friends and also visiting McGill University in Montreal. My reason for being at McGill is that I'm applying to do a masters in taxation law there for the next academic year. I had always been somewhat sceptical of masters programmes in general, hence my looking further afield and I must say that the masters programme at McGill does seem to float my boat, as they say.

The subjects are taught with both Civil and Common Law systems in mind (as the province of Quebec is a bit of both), where there is a strong comparative approach which is something I've become fond of and find extremely useful, having studied the German language and German law. I find that studying a language or legal system other than your own enhances your understanding of your own language or legal system, whilst broadening your horizons (yes, English law is great but would you believe it, there's a whole world out there).

It is with this in mind that I chose McGill and this trip has highlighted my desire to study there, as the staff and students alike seem to be exceptionally welcoming and hugely helpful and the atmosphere seems to be one where fun is necessary but so is hard work, which is an ethos I've become to love and cherish at Cardiff Law School. Anyway, enough about that...what has happened since we last spoke? In other words, how did our Law Trip to Edinburgh go and what other things have been happening on the Cardiff Law scene I hear you ask. Well, here goes...

When we spoke last I'd just finished my work experience with John Gardiner QC back at the beginning of November (apologies for the lack of contact since then). Since then we've had, as aforementioned, our highly successful trip to Edinburgh, which absolutely everyone loved. Our hostel was in a fantastic location and allowed us to reach the castle and the Royal Mile in a smooth 10 mins. We had some epic nights out albeit we had a close call with a petrol bomb, as the nightclub we were queuing outside of was petrol-bombed by a motorbike rider, causing me to sober up immediately (not that I drink of course ;P) and get a plan into action with the rest of our trusty Exec and make the night a definite one to remember!

We managed to wrangle free bottles of vodka and mixers in a neighbouring club, ensuring a cracking evening despite the little hiccough. It could've been worse, I know, but luckily noone was hurt. That excitement aside, we've also had talks from Lord Bingham (a true legendary figure) and Michael Mansfield QC (slightly contentious), which were both very well received, and we've had our Law Society Christmas Soirée, which was attended by several hundred of our Law Students, as well as others, which made for a brilliant night!

As you can tell, we've been very busy socially, but the fact we've also been highly busy academically goes without saying. We've had essays coming out of our ears, presentations to do before term ended and now all of the tutorial prep, revision, etc for the coming semester. Oh how I feel sorry for myself sometimes! Ha!

I shall leave it there and check in with you all with the gossip of the next semester as soon as possible, as it'll be a more exciting affair I'm sure. We are at Cardiff Law School after all...

'Nick Wolfe...out!' (A smooth quote from Californication, for the viewers among you - prizes for those who can correctly recall the episode).

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