Legal education in England and Wales: what next?

Abstract

This contribution takes a reflective look at the evolution and characteristics of “modern” legal education and also at some contemporary challenges. It is timely, given that 2021 is the 50th anniversary of the Ormrod Report on Legal Education, which marked the beginning of its modern era. However, today legal education in England and Wales is now facing many issues, ranging from the fallout of Covid-19 and a predicted global recession, the outcomes of Brexit, recently announced likely cuts in university funding, possible declines in research support and collaboration along with the implications of the recent EU–UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement for professional legal education and legal services provision more generally. However, just as important has been a build-up of criticisms of universities, which the Ormrod Report had recommended should play the key role in legal education, with some critics challenging the fundamentals of their role and practices. Others have concerns about the “massification”, “marketisation” and the extent to which universities are sufficiently accountable, not least to students. This contribution to Policy and Education Developments explores some of these criticisms but in the context of the distinctive features of legal education in England and Wales. This contribution concludes with some thoughts on the possible responses of law schools and law teachers to this wide range of challenges.