New student prize launched through law firm collaboration (firm in Chester)

A flair for family and child law has earned a student a valuable work experience opportunity following a new collaboration with a leading law firm.  

The University of Chester’s Law School has formed a new partnership with Stowe Family Law, the country’s largest family law firm.  

Lydia Lally, from Stoke-on-Trent, who recently graduated with a First Class honours degree, was the University’s highest performing student in the final year in a combination of Family Law, Child Law and the Dissertation modules of the Law (LLB) degree and has been awarded the 2021-2022 Stowe Family Law prize. Lydia’s dissertation examined issues relating to domestic abuse. 

Stowe Family Law, who specialise in divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships and associated matters including financial settlements and arrangements for children, offered either the opportunity of work experience or a cash prize to the highest achieving student in the family law subject area. 

Associate Professor Ruth Sutton, Head of Department, Chester Law School said:

“We are honoured to be working with the country’s largest family law firm to shape the family lawyers of the future. We look forward to working closely together in the months and years to come.   

“We are very proud of Lydia for her achievements in the Family and Child Law subject area including her taught studies and undergraduate dissertation research – congratulations, Lydia!”  

The Stowe Family Law Chester Team said:

“As a growing firm, we recognise how vital it is for firms such as ours to provide support and open doors for the next generation of lawyers. We welcome this chance to do so for the students of Chester Law School, both via the Stowe Family Law Prize and through other opportunities that our partnership will undoubtably create.”  

Lydia added: “My three years studying at Chester confirmed my aspiration to progress in the Family Law sector particularly in my final year, where I was able to study the Family Law module and undertake in-depth research via my dissertation. I am therefore delighted to have won the Stowe Family law prize as it is a fantastic opportunity and I am extremely proud.”