Professor Andrew Johnston from The University of Sheffield’s School of Law was in India recently, visiting the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and other law institutes. Every year, Sheffield School of Law sends its students to study within Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia, and hosts students from its 70+ partner institutions. It now looks at strengthening student exchange programmes by partnering with India's national law universities to help students benefit from the exposure to a different legal system. In this interview, professor Johnston talks about the School of Law’s collaboration plans, tips for becoming a successful lawyer, and more.
Popular areas of research
Most of our LLM students come to us with an existing research interest, either in corporate and commercial law, or in international law and global justice, and choose an LLM pathway which reflects that. We help them to explore and refine that interest. In my area of expertise — company law and corporate governance — students are often interested in areas such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), highly topical in India at the moment, and takeovers. In finance and banking, they are interested in regulatory responses to the financial crisis.
In terms of international law, cyber crime and cyber terrorism are two popular areas in which we have strong research expertise. In our MA International Criminology programme, students are often concerned with policing, as well as societies in transition. We actively encourage them to adopt a comparative perspective, examine the different ways in which legal systems approach the same problem, and to critique those approaches using legal methodologies, as well as approaches adopted from disciplines such as economics and other social sciences.
On collaboration plans
Studying abroad confronts students with cultural and academic challenges, and, without exception, our students return to us after their year abroad as well-rounded individuals and better lawyers.
We are looking to conclude exchange agreements with a number of leading Indian law schools, and have been holding discussions with vice-chancellors and with academic staff responsible for international collaborations. The response we have received has been positive. Giving our students the chance to study for a year in India is the opportunity of a lifetime. Likewise, we look forward to welcoming more Indian students.
Whilst India shares a common law system with the U.K., there are important differences, and studying them will enrich the legal skills of Indian students. We have discussed the possibility of academic staff exchanges with the universities we have visited.
Skills for success
Prospective lawyers have to acquire different skills and areas of knowledge. First, they must know and understand different legal doctrines, and the interconnections between different areas of law. Second, they need to have a good understanding of current affairs and how the world works. Next, they need to be able to assimilate large quantities of factual information, and analyse it using a combination of legal and wider skills. They also need to be able to think laterally in order to produce innovative solutions to their clients’ legal problems. Finally, aspirants need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and have an eye for detail.
Is teaching law different from practising it?
I practised commercial litigation at a large firm in London, which was a highly pressurised environment, both in terms of time commitment and the need to pay great attention to detail. Many people think that being an academic is less pressurising. This may have been true in the past, but things are changing. Academics in the U.K. are required not only to teach, but also to research and perform administrative duties. This involves multitasking and time management.
