As we reach the end of the 2012/2013 Birmingham Law School mooting competitions, I would like to express my thanks to all students who participated in the competitions and skills sessions this year.  Your hard work and enthusiasm is hugely appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed and benefited from the experience.

Many congratulations to the winners of the mooting competitions!
* Clare Elliot – Postgraduate Cup winner 2012/2013
* Rachel Pavey – Camm Cup winner 2012/2013
* Megan Durnford – First Year Cup winner 2012/2013

It has been a pleasure to work alongside Theresa Lynch, Mooting Co-ordinator, to organise the moots this year.  I am most grateful  to the Mooting Committee for your help in running the moots and clerking.  Thank you to No5 Chambers in Birmingham and University of Birmingham Law alumni for supporting and judging the mooting competitions, and special thanks to Lord Dyson MR for presiding over the Camm Cup Final on 15th March 2013.  

This has been an excellent year for mooting at Birmingham Law School, with double the number of places in the First Year Cup competition and a huge increase in the numbers of practitioners judging moots.  I am sure that mooting at Birmingham Law School will only continue to grow.

I have loved being your Mistress of the Moots and I will really miss the role!  In June I will be handing over to Rachel Pavey, who will take up the position for 2013/2014.  

In the meantime, I wish all students the best of luck for the examinations period.

Best wishes,
Arrin Nouri (Mistress of the Moots, The Holdsworth Club)

Congratulations to the Finalists of this year’s mooting competitions.

Our internal mooting competitions – the First Year Cup, the Camm Cup and the Postgraduate Cup – begin this week! Good luck to everyone involved. Enjoy the experience!

Arrin Nouri (Mistress of the Moots and Head of the Holdsworth Mooting Committee 2012/13)
Anna Peaston
Sarah Lodge
Jonathan Wylie
Christopher Barratt
Elizabeth Stephens
Claire Kellett
Thomas Horton
Jessica Barnes
Oliver Swain Spraggs
Rebecca Cross
Zoe Smith

On behalf of the Holdsworth Club, I would like to congratulate and welcome all new students who will be joining the Law School in September. You certainly have a great few years ahead of you and if you read our ‘about’ section you will see how becoming a member of The Holdsworth Club will enrich your time at university both academically and socially.

The new committee is very excited about this coming year and we all hope you will be joining the society and making the most of what we have on offer for you!

To find out about us and what we do please check out the committee profiles and if you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch with us (contact details on the right-hand side).

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you very soon, for what promises to be an amazing Holdsworth year.

This years candidacy nominations are as follows…

Honorary Secretary (Chair)
-Anish Patel
-Hannah Short

Treasurer
-Poppy Wilkinson

Events Officer
-Chantelle Davis
-Loren Hodgetts
-Charlotte King
-Catriona Severns

Careers Officer
-Oliver Bello
-Amy Harding
-Bela Viramgama

Publicity
-Christopher Barratt
-Priya Jethwa

Sports Officer
-Jan (Honza) Katuscak

Post Graduate Representative
-Vanessa Narsingh
-Ravi Patel

First Year Representatives
-Nitisha Acharya
-Ravinder Bhavara
-Jack Kelly
-Samantha Jenkins

Inns of Court Student Association (ICSA) Representatives
-Thomas Horton
-Meredith Major

General Secretary
-Laura Brown
-Catherine Ecclestone
-Katie Harris
-Emma Jones
-Alice Kinder

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must not begin campaigning until Monday 12th March. Any candidate found campaigning will be penalised and there is strictly no campaigning at the ball.

Good luck to all,

The Committee 2011/12

Hi Everyone

There are just over 4 weeks left of term! Scary but true, and there are a number of huge things happening between now and the last day of term on the 23rd March which you will not want to miss out on, so here is a roundup of everything going on in March; The Presidential Address, Law v Medics, The Law Ball and Holdsworth Committee Elections:

The Presidential Address - Friday 2^nd March

This year the Holdsworth President is Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury; Master of the Rolls and tipped by many to be the next President of the Supreme Court. His speech, entitled ‘Where Angels Fear To Tread’ will be taking place in LT1 next Friday (2^nd) at 11.00 am. This is really one not to be missed  and lectures have all been rescheduled to accommodate staff and students’ wishes to attend, so make the most of it.

Law v Medics (Sat 3^rd) and The Law Ball (Sat 10^th)

Both staples of the Holdsworth events calendar, these events never disappoint. Law v Medics tickets go on sale on Monday and the event really speaks for itself – Law are out to retain their crown, enough said. Remaining Law Ball tickets are down into single figures, so act fast if you want to take the final places for what is going to be an incredible night. Anyone that hasn’t already got their table plan in needs to do so on Monday, otherwise we will assume that you don’t mind who you sit with.

Also remember that Holdsworth Hoodies are available to be purchased from the Holdsworth Office for the final week.

Holdsworth Committee Elections (Campaigning Starts Mon 12^th, Voting on Thurs 15^th)

Finally, with March comes the final days of our tenure as your Holdsworth Committee. The Ball will be the final event of the year before the society goes dormant over the Easter term, so this is your opportunity to find yourself at the heart of undoubtedly the best departmental society at the University of Birmingham and the oldest student Law Society in the country.

Another email will be going out next week with more information about elections, but see this as a heads up – you want to be involved. With 11 positions to fill there is something for everyone and you just need to decide where your interests lie and whether you have what it takes, so get thinking! Any interested parties should definitely speak to the person currently occupying their position or at least someone in the committee to get the most information. BUT REMEMBER – at this stage those deciding to run should keep it to themselves. The process is confidential until candidacy is announced and campaigning officially begins on the 12^th. The no early campaigning rule will be strictly enforced.

So there it is! Enjoy the final crop of amazing events we have for you this term and get yourself involved with our society’s future … But then start to look ahead.

All the best

Your Holdsworth Committee 2011/12

*Pinsent Mason Office Open Days*

On the 14th December Pinsent Masons will be holding an insight day at their offices. This is open to all years and is a great way to see how they operate and attending shows genuine interest in the firm should you decide to apply. Aside from that, it displays commitment to the legal industry, good commercial awareness and is also the chance to see what life’s like at a big firm and whether it will be for you. If you are interested and want more information then the link to follow is -http://www.pinsentmasons.com/searchevents

*OPEN 2011 – a legal careers event for disabled students*

A legal career is open to anyone. This event is aimed at showing that students with disabilities should not be worried that their disability may affect their chances of a legal career. The advertisement reads:

“Ambitious, disabled and considering a career in law? Then don’t miss OPEN 2011, the unique event that connects recruiters from the top legal firms with talented,disabled students.

This is your chance to find out about the careers and placements on offer, and to ask any questions you might have about the great opportunities and challenges available in this sector.

The event is being held by the biggest names in law, all of whom are currently recruiting:

Allen & Overy, Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Eversheds, Hogan Lovells and Linklaters.

The event will cover areas such as:
• An introduction to law
• How to request adjustments in the work place
• How to approach the recruitment processes.

It will also give you an opportunity to meet and network with people in a similar position to you as well as recent graduates, lawyers and recruiters from the firms.
The event is open to students and graduates from all degree disciplines. Spaces are limited so early registration is recommended. For more information and to apply, please go to the website: www.open-to-you.co.uk or email open@staffordlong.co.uk”

*Addleshaw Goddard Bowling*

On Wednesday 30th November Addleshaw Goddard are holding their annual bowling trip.

Representatives from the firm will be attending giving you a chance to speak about applying for training contracts and what it is like to work for the firm.

We’re meeting at the Guild for a coach at 6.45pm, then will head off to the bowling alley where food and drinks will be provided. Tickets are only £3 each available in office hours.

If you have any questions or suggestions please email careers@holdsworthclub.org

“Interested in Law? Interested in Drama? Join the Holdsworth Law Drama.

The Holdsworth Law Drama Society is one of the few societies of its kind anywhere in the UK. It allows our students to unleash their creative side, while coordinating their activities around their essay and exam deadlines. Last year the Society put on Agatha Christie’s legal thriller Witness for the Prosecution. Performed in the Birmingham Hippodrome’s St Patrick’s Theatre, the play was a huge triumph that kept the audience on the edge of their seat.

The first round of Auditions will be held Wednesday 2nd November from 12.30pm onwards in the Junior Common Room. Don’t worry if you cannot make this as we have further auditions on Friday 4th November and Wednesday 9th November (times to follow).

Please note that we are sponsored by DLA Piper. Being part of this society will hugely increase your employability and will look great on your CV!”