City Law School
The Council of Legal Education met in the library of Lincoln's Inn during 1852. This meeting marked the birth of what would become the Inns of Court School of Law. Four Inns of Court were required to provide two rooms for teaching purposes at that time. The institution operated within Lincoln's Inn for over a century before moving locations. A purpose-built building was constructed at 4 Gray's Inn Place in the 1950s. Charles Morrison became the first dean of the school in 1969.
In 1903, the Council moved its operations to 15 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn. By 1947, the group relocated to 7 Stone Buildings where lecture rooms were available. The acquisition of premises in Gray's Inn occurred in 1964. In 1967, the formal establishment took place at 4 Gray's Inn Place. During the 1980s, another building was acquired on Princeton Street. That location had previously served as the London studios of Yorkshire Television. From September 2021, a new facility opened on Sebastian Street east of Northampton Square.
Until 1997, the ICSL held exclusive authority over the Bar Vocational Course. This course represented obligatory professional training for would-be barristers in England and Wales. Before that year, the Inns of Court managed education for those intending to become barristers. A call during the nineteenth century demanded unified education for barristers. The Council of Legal Education formed to address this need. The monopoly ended when regulatory changes allowed other institutions to offer similar courses.
The school provides a three-year undergraduate Bachelor of Laws programme. A two-year Graduate Entry LLB degree exists for non-law graduates. Students can pursue a Master of Laws or a Graduate Diploma in Law. The latter programme holds a nationwide reputation as one of Britain's elite qualifying diploma courses. Approximately 1600 students are enrolled each year. In 2007, the institution received the highest grading from the Law Society of England and Wales.
In July 2008, the ICSL brand was officially dropped. It was replaced with The City Law School identity through a phased process. Initially, both logos appeared on school stationery together. During the 2007, 2008 academic year, publications bore The City Law School name alongside the old logo. Now, The City Law School logo is used exclusively. The former emblem displayed combined coats of arms from Lincoln's Inn, Middle Temple, Inner Temple, and Gray's Inn at the front entrance to Gray's Inn Place.
Mohandas Gandhi studied at this institution before leading the Indian Independence Movement. Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended classes there after which he founded Pakistan. British Prime Ministers H. H. Asquith, Margaret Thatcher, and Tony Blair all graduated from the school. Ghanaian presidents Nana Akufo-Addo and Kwame Nkrumah also completed their studies here. The current Executive Dean is Professor Richard Ashcroft. The City Law Society hosts an annual ball attended by over 200 students.
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Common questions
When was the Inns of Court School of Law founded?
The Council of Legal Education met in the library of Lincoln's Inn during 1852 to mark the birth of what would become the Inns of Court School of Law. This meeting established the institution that later evolved into The City Law School.
Where is The City Law School located today?
From September 2021, a new facility opened on Sebastian Street east of Northampton Square for The City Law School. Prior locations included 4 Gray's Inn Place and premises acquired on Princeton Street during the 1980s.
Who were notable alumni of the Inns of Court School of Law?
Mohandas Gandhi studied at this institution before leading the Indian Independence Movement while Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended classes there after which he founded Pakistan. British Prime Ministers H. H. Asquith, Margaret Thatcher, and Tony Blair all graduated from the school alongside Ghanaian presidents Nana Akufo-Addo and Kwame Nkrumah.
What courses does The City Law School offer?
The school provides a three-year undergraduate Bachelor of Laws programme and a two-year Graduate Entry LLB degree for non-law graduates. Students can also pursue a Master of Laws or a Graduate Diploma in Law which holds a nationwide reputation as one of Britain's elite qualifying diploma courses.
When did the ICSL brand officially change to The City Law School?
In July 2008, the ICSL brand was officially dropped and replaced with The City Law School identity through a phased process. During the 2007, 2008 academic year, publications bore The City Law School name alongside the old logo before the former emblem disappeared completely.