The Law Teacher Special Issue 'New Trends in Teaching Contract Law' Launch

We are launching the special issue on which was published in The Law Teacher 59(4) at the end of 2025. The eight articles collected in the special issue demonstrate that, despite being a core first-year module with large student numbers, contract law is a remarkably fertile ground for innovation in teaching and learning. Amidst unprecedented change both on and off the university campus, the subject of contract law is a constant where lasting innovations could be developed. The launch event and the incorporated discussion will provide food for thought for law teachers of contract and other large core modules in the English curriculum.

The event is in person, but with an option to join online. It is free and open to the public.

Programme:

2.30-3.30pm: The afterlife of the special issue papers

3.30-4pm: Coffee break in Bloom Cafe (lower ground)

4-5pm: "What can we do as educators to help students thrive in the modern world?"

The "afterlife" part of the event will review the journey of the special issue contribution since their acceptance for publication. Authors will talk about their research plans, new and exciting projects as a natural next step of their published papers, and share their reflections on the papers and the current state of teaching Contract and law in general.

After the coffee break in Bloom Cafe, the event invites all participants to join a discussion exploring the question:

“What Can We Do as Educators to Help Students Thrive in the Modern World?”

Legal education is taking place against a backdrop of profound social, technological, economic, and professional change. Today’s students are navigating uncertainty, rapid technological development (including AI), evolving professional identities, increased awareness of mental health, and shifting expectations about work, justice, and society.

This session invites participants to reflect critically on what it means for law students not merely to succeed, but to thrive in the modern world. It will explore the role of legal educators in fostering resilience, adaptability, ethical awareness, and a sense of purpose, while maintaining academic standards and disciplinary integrity. Drawing on themes from the special issue, the discussion will consider how pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, and institutional culture can better support students as learners, future professionals, and engaged citizens.

Questions for Discussion:

● What does it mean for a law student to thrive in today’s world, as opposed to simply graduating or gaining employment?

● How have the expectations placed on law graduates changed in the past decade, and how should legal education respond?

● How should educators respond to the increasing use of AI and legal technology in both education and practice?

● Within the current HE climate, what small, realistic changes could legal educators implement now that would make a meaningful difference to students’ experiences?

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Host or Publisher Jo Wilson