Please, tell us something about yourself
- Name: Isabella Lumsden
- Current position: Paralegal (Industrial Disease) and LLM LPC student at BPP.
- Goals: To obtain a training contract and qualify as a claimant focused, litigation / dispute resolution solicitor.
- Hobbies: Socialising with friends, long walks and going to the gym / spin classes.
Why did you choose to study Law at Royal Holloway?
My journey to RHUL and law was not straightforward. My interest in law arose from my study of history at GCSE and A-Level. I enjoyed questioning the bigger picture of historical events and exploring the power of individuals and groups to bring about change in society. I developed this interest and chose to do an EPQ whereby I linked natural law and history through considering the act of ironically breaking the law and acts of civil disobedience to bring about justice. I also entered a short essay writing competition whereby I discussed the extent of Alan Turing’s contribution to the second world war and the personal prejudices he faced despite his success. I came first place and this gave me the confidence to kickstart the next steps of my future in law, with a particular focus on justice and accountability. On A-Level results day I rejected my offer to study History at the University of Exeter, to study Law at Royal Holloway. I had already visited the open day and put RHUL as an option to study History. I loved the feel of the campus and not to mention the beautiful Founders building and so I knew I had made the right decision.
What was your experience like at RHUL? What did you enjoy the most?
I liked the overall vibe of the campus and the fact that everything was so close together. It made the seemingly daunting new experience of university far less scary, and I felt very safe. The local area was also nice and I enjoyed going on long walks around Virginia Water lake, shopping trips in Windsor and going to the cinema and gym in Staines.
My favourite modules were EU law, international and comparative human rights law and my dissertation. These modules just seemed to click with me as I have always had an interest in human rights and justice and my dissertation was a great opportunity to put my own spin on things and look into an area of law that I had not studied before. This experience also made me realise what area of law I would like to practice in.
In my second year of university, I achieved the eighth highest grade and as a reward, I was fortunate enough to meet Lord Reed along with other peers from the LLB course. This experience reminded me of the influence that individuals in the legal profession have to bring about real change, which motivated me to work hard towards achieving my career goal. Your hard work was certainly rewarded by the department which was incredibly motivating.
In my final year I went on the Snow Sports trip to Avoriaz. It had been a few years since I had been skiing but I had such a great time and met loads of great people. I felt very fortunate to go on the trip prior to the academic year being cut short by Covid-19 and it was a nice way to see of my final year.
Did you take advantage of any of the extra-curricular activities organised by the Department? Do you think they helped you? How and why?
During my first and second years at university, I volunteered for the National Centre for Domestic Violence as a McKenzie friend which was a very rewarding experience. This was especially important as I felt that I was able to help vulnerable individuals within society. It allowed me to balance my university workload with something that I enjoyed and kept me focused. It involved calling individuals and creating witness statements for court. It was rewarding to know that just an hour of my time was making such a difference. I now use the skills I learned at the NCDV training in my Paralegal position. This experience was organised by the Law department and was extremely helpful and interesting. I also attended law fairs and careers talks which were useful as I got to network with new people and develop my skillset to ready me for my career in law.
How did your experience at the Department prepare for your career?
My experience at the RHUL law department has certainly prepared me for my legal career. I learned how to communicate effectively with my peers and tutors’ and you feel that you are treated like a ‘proper adult’. If I needed help with something, I knew I could pop in and see a lecturer during their office hours and they would be more than happy to help. It was also interesting to discuss similar legal interests and gain new insights into things which is useful for legal practice and self-development. Without the motivation and wise words of the below individuals I do not think that I would have been as motivated to succeed and the lecturers were a huge part of ensuring I stayed motivated in my LLB.
Are there any members of the academic and administrative staff who you would like to commend for the support they gave you?
Yes, I’d particularly like to commend Dr Leonardo V P de Oliveira, Dr David Yuratich, Elaine Carter and Dr Jane Marriott. I am so grateful to them all for their support and help during my time at RHUL.
Did you enjoy your years at RHUL?
Yes.
Any tips for applicants or newly-enrolled students?
Get involved in as much as you can and don’t be afraid to try new things. I was involved in the law society, girl’s rugby and snow sports society to which I was awarded a ‘Passport Award’ for my commitment to extra-curricular activities and part-time work alongside my studies.
