On the evening of 4th March 2025, Durham Law School welcomed Sir Jonathan Jones KC (Hon), Alex Horne and Emma Christie as speakers on “Perspectives on Public Law”, an event organised by the Durham Human Rights and Public Law Centre and the Durham student Law Society.
The event was co-chaired by Aileen Mcharg, Professor of Public Law and Human Rights, and Ishita Sehgal, the Law Society’s Human Rights Officer. The event’s lead organiser was Dr Ben Lawrence supported by Ishita Sehgal and the Law Society’s Social Media Officer, Ian Mak.
Sir Jonathan Jones KC (Hon) is currently a Senior Consultant in public and constitutional law at Linklaters LLP. He is a former Durham alumnus, a Founder Member of the Durham Law School Alumni Association and Visiting Professor at Durham Law School. He was previously a government lawyer, latterly Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department.
Alex Horne is a Visiting Professor at Durham Law School. He is a barrister and former legal adviser to the House of Lords EU and International Agreements Committees.
Emma Christie is a Durham alumna graduating with 1st class honours in Law followed by a MJur from Durham. She is a barrister at 36 Group Chambers where she specialises in public law and human rights.
During the talk, the speakers reflected on their own experiences of public and constitutional law, including its impact on Government and Parliament, as well as their work in the private sector. They also provided advice for students interested in pursuing a career in public law.
The talk was followed by a reception at the Law School, where students were given further opportunities to talk to the speakers.
The event also marked a successful collaboration between the Durham Human Rights and Public Law Centre, the student Law Society and the Law School’s Employability Course organised by the Law School’s first Professor in Practice, Philip Bennett, to bring a wider range of opportunities to the Law School and its students.
All the photographs featured in this news article were taken during the event by Sarah Hu, a first-year Durham Law UG student. We would like to thank Sarah for her contribution.