Ashurst and University of Stirling announce innovative collaboration

This first-of-its-kind partnership will see the introduction of the Ashurst Advance NewLaw Programme to the curriculum for BA in Law and LLB students at Stirling University Law School completing the Commercial Awareness Module in the 2020/2021 academic year. The course will combine Ashurst's NewLaw expertise with the academic rigour of Stirling University to provide a unique learning opportunity for those interested in the rapidly developing legal services sector and the new opportunities this creates. Through this innovative collaboration, students will understand and embrace the changing legal services market, and identify the challenges and opportunities posed by 'NewLaw'.

"We are very pleased to be working with Stirling University to inspire and offer a unique opportunity to the next generation of legal professionals to help prepare them for successful careers," said Carolyn O'Connor, HR Manager, National Early Careers Programs at Ashurst. "This new collaboration builds on our existing relationship with Stirling University, further expanding on our contribution to the current commercial awareness module and as one of the employers involved in their work experience programme. Being able to provide work placements allow us to really support young people to enhance their learning experience and supplement taught theory, by educating them on the commercial reality of the legal industry."

"The practice of law and the role of legal professionals is changing rapidly, and the education of our future 'NewLaw' professionals needs to reflect this new dynamic. This new programme is innovative and forward-looking, not only broadening and deepening the students' knowledge of 'NewLaw', but also providing them with the skills and behaviours needed to meet the demands of the changing legal services market," added Mike Polson, partner and head of Ashurst Advance Delivery.

Tikus Little, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Stirling, commented: "We pride ourselves on being a modern, outward facing Law School combining academic excellence with an emphasis on employability, and so this partnership fits in well with our ethos and presents a wonderful opportunity for our students. They will benefit enormously from meaningful and sustained engagement with the team from Ashurst and the NewLaw programme will add significantly to their skill set."