The successful candidate will research the topic of ‘Criminal Cause or Matter’ – Potential reform of the Divisional Court, the Judicial Review Jurisdiction and Supreme Court Appeals, spending part of their time on placement at the DoJ and Northern Ireland Law Commission as an integral part of their research.

WHAT THE STUDENTSHIP WILL COVER:

• The funded studentship will cover UK tuition fees, plus an enhanced DfE stipend, for a maximum of three years. For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes.
• The researcher will have standard access to facilities available in the School of Law and the Graduate School at Queen’s University, and will also have access to desk space at the DoJ/Northern Ireland Law Commission. The researcher with engage with staff from the DOJ/Northern Ireland Law Commission Team ­and will have direct access to the Civil Service and Judicial Libraries.

Applicants must complete the application form on the Queen’s University Postgraduate Applications Portal and also provide an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) and a short paper of up to 1000 words on the merit of legal research. The paper should demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in law and of core research methods. The paper may take examples from any field of law, but comments on administrative law and judicial review would be particularly welcome.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 31 May 2021 at 4pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (online) during June at a time and date to be arranged.

Candidates will be notified by the end of June/beginning of July of the outcome of their application.

Please insert the code DOJ-NILC22 into the Funding section within your application form.

ELIGIBILITY

• UK residents: fees plus stipend. 
• Other EU residents: fees only.

• Please note this studentship is not available to international students.
• Qualifications:

For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes

• Study can only be undertaken on a full-time basis from October 2022

• An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.

 

• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will also be considered.

• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis.
• For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please see the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes.

 

Desirable: Qualification as either a Barrister or a Solicitor.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Title: Criminal Cause or Matter – Potential reform of the Divisional Court, the Judicial Review Jurisdiction and Supreme Court Appeals

Summary: This research project has been co-designed with the DoJ and the Northern Ireland Law Commission.  The project has a comparative dimension, involving consideration of how other common law systems approach this issue.

The research would develop via library-based research and interviews, where access to judges, lawyers and policy-makers would be facilitated by the Northern Ireland Law Commission.

The project will consider:

1. The historical origins of the relevant law and practice, its rationale, and the reasons for reform in the late nineteenth century.
2. A review of the leading case law in the field. 
3. The justification, if any, for the rule today – does judicial review in the criminal sphere require special safeguards or procedures, including reduced appeal rights?
4. The practical procedural impacts of the rule and possible reform, including any unintended negative consequences.
5. The existing and possible proposed new jurisdictions from human rights, rule of law and common law fundamental rights perspectives.
6. An economic and resource-based analysis of the likely impact of reform on access to justice.
7. The wider implications of reform and any additional safeguards required at this important interface of criminal and public law.

Further information: Contact Professor Gordon Anthony (g.anthony@qub.ac.uk)