A distinguished visitor has had a tour of the Law School at Hatfield’s University of Hertfordshire.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Prof McKellar, David Gauke MP and Dean Carey in the replica Crown Court. Picture: supplied by University of HertfordshireProf McKellar, David Gauke MP and Dean Carey in the replica Crown Court. Picture: supplied by University of Hertfordshire (Image: supplied by University of Hertfordshire)

The Right Honourable David Gauke MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, visited the Hertfordshire Law School on Friday, May 25, to see its replica law court and have a question and answer session with some of the students.

Mr Gauke met the recent winners of the Thomas A Finlay Inter-Varsity Mooting Competition and some of the University’s black and minority ethnic (BME) advocates, who are current students working with the university to improve the academic outcomes of BME students.

Mr Gauke said: “I am delighted to be able to congratulate the University on eliminating the attainment gap for BME students. This is a huge achievement and I applaud them for their efforts.”

Senior academics from Hertfordshire Law School gave a demonstration of the ‘flipped classroom’, where students are introduced to learning material online before class, meaning that more classroom time can be used to deepen students’ understanding, through discussion with peers and problem-solving activities.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: David Gauke MP reviewing law texts with Prof Quintin McKellar and Dean Penny Carey. Picture: supplied by University of HertfordshireDavid Gauke MP reviewing law texts with Prof Quintin McKellar and Dean Penny Carey. Picture: supplied by University of Hertfordshire (Image: supplied by University of Hertfordshire)

Mr Gauke was welcomed by the University of Hertfordshire’s vice-chancellor Professor Quintin McKellar and Dean Penny Carey.

Professor McKellar said: “I was really pleased to welcome the Lord Chancellor to the University of Hertfordshire today.

“We had a fascinating discussion relating to how digital technology is changing the legal profession and explored how the ‘flipped classroom’ is improving outcomes for our students.

“I was very proud to introduce them to him.”

Mr Gauke said: “It’s my pleasure to have seen first-hand the innovative way in which the Law School is incorporating new digital technologies in its approach to legal education.

“It is vital that we equip the country’s future lawyers with the skills they need to thrive in the modern digital age.”