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Esme Higgs has been awarded the Guernsey International Legal Association’s fifth annual bursary to support her studies in Guernsey.
Mrs Higgs, who has a degree in public relations, is now studying the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) with the GTA University Centre. The course, started in September, enables graduates to convert their degree into a law qualification.
"I first turned my hand to law when I joined Mourant Ozannes as a litigation legal assistant in 2013 and signed up to study the Graduate Diploma in Law shortly after. I am fortunate to be able to study this qualification on-island through the GTA University Centre whilst working full-time, and my employer has been very supportive," said Mrs Higgs.
Her work at Mourant Ozannes provides the practical experience necessary for her career and the GDL will give her the academic qualification she needs to progress within the legal profession.
"Since joining the industry, I have found the GILA presentations and networking events to be extremely beneficial to my development and I am hugely grateful to GILA to be awarded their bursary. I plan to undertake the Bar professional training course next year and this award will certainly help to achieve this."
The Graduate Diploma in Law is a two-year, part-time programme run by the GTA University Centre in conjunction with Bournemouth University. It comprises of eight modules which are all run on island and provide a firm foundation of legal knowledge.
"We are delighted that GILA is continuing to support our students. This generous bursary provides real assistance to students who wish to further their career through part-time study while trying to maintain a career and home life," said Kate Lenfestey, head of administration at the GTA.
Rachel Richardson, president of GILA and senior associate at Carey Olsen, said that she was delighted that GILA was offering the bursary for the fifth year running.
"The standard of applications was very high and the Committee had been very impressed with Esme’s passion for the law," she said.
The bursary has previously only been available to GTA students studying the Graduate Diploma in Law with Bournemouth University, but with the GTA’s launch of the LLB law degree from London University last September, the bursary was extended to include those students as well.
Advocate Richardson added that she was encouraged by the development of locally available legal training which allowed greater access to the profession.
