Winning the Neuberger Prize

The Lord Neuberger Prize is awarded annually to outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and potential in the field of law. Named after Lord Neuberger, a distinguished former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, this prize aims to recognise and support the next generation of legal professionals.

The winners are invited to Lincoln’s Inn for a summer school designed to support their professional development. The three-day programme included a visit to the Old Bailey, Ethics, ‘Speak Up’ and Case Analysis workshops, a tour of the Inn and opportunities to meet, network, and dine with Inn members, employees, scholars, and volunteers.

When I received the email telling me I had been awarded the Neuberger Prize by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, I was genuinely speechless. To have the opportunity to attend the three-day summer school was so exciting and I learned so much from the experience. 

I am incredibly grateful to The Open University for nominating me for this prestigious award. As a mature student balancing work, parenting and volunteering alongside my studies, opportunities like this mean so much. Being selected by the University and then chosen by Lincoln’s Inn was a huge honour and I am extremely grateful. 

The summer school was an inspiring introduction to life at the Bar. From the moment I was told I had won the prize, the Lincoln’s Inn Outreach Team, Charlie and Anna, made me feel welcome and supported. They were inclusive, approachable and fun, and it was a pleasure to meet them.

Our first day began with an introduction to Lincoln’s Inn, the different routes to the Bar, the scholarships available to aspiring barristers and a fun ice-breaker activity. We then enjoyed a fascinating tour of the Old Bailey. Sitting inside one of the courtrooms and learning about the history of such an iconic building was an inspiring experience. Later that evening, we had the opportunity to meet practising barristers and Bar students over drinks, giving us the chance to ask questions, hear about their experiences and gain an insight into the realities of practice.

The following morning we toured Lincoln’s Inn itself. Walking through the historic buildings and beautiful grounds was a wonderful experience, and it was fascinating to learn more about the Inn’s rich history and traditions. We then each delivered a five-minute presentation answering the question: ‘If you could change one law in England and Wales, what would it be and why?’.

I chose to speak about support for care-experienced people. While the Children and Social Work Act 2017 extended support for care leavers to the age of 25, I argued that this does not go far enough. If the state assumes the role of corporate parent, it should aspire to provide the same ongoing support that many parents continue to give their own children long into adulthood. The evidence demonstrates that the impact of being in care often extends throughout a person’s life, making it difficult to justify support ending at a fixed age.

Although I regularly speak to families and professionals in my current work role, public advocacy is something I have had relatively little opportunity to develop. Standing up to deliver my presentation in front of my peers and an experienced barrister was nerve-racking, but I am so pleased that I challenged myself. Receiving thoughtful and encouraging feedback afterwards was one of the highlights of the summer school. As an Open University student, opportunities for live advocacy exercises are naturally more limited than on many campus-based courses, making this experience particularly valuable.

Later that day, I attended my first qualifying session entitled ‘Law: The Bridle of Power’, delivered by Professor Brian Klaas and Paul Klaas. Their discussion of the rule of law, executive power and contemporary constitutional challenges was fascinating and prompted some thought-provoking discussion.

Following the lecture I attended the Domus Dinner in the Great Hall. Sharing dinner with benchers, barristers and distinguished guests was an unforgettable experience. I particularly enjoyed the conversations throughout the evening and learning about the many different routes people had taken within the profession.

Our final day focused on ethics and advocacy workshops. Through realistic scenarios, we explored the Bar Standards Board Handbook, the Cab Rank Rule and the ethical dilemmas barristers may face in practice. We then worked through a criminal case analysis exercise, preparing submissions within a limited time before presenting our arguments.

I represented the defence in a sentencing exercise and prepared submissions in mitigation, inviting the court to impose a community order rather than an immediate custodial sentence. The exercise challenged me to think quickly, identify the key legal and factual issues and present coherent, persuasive submissions under pressure. It was an enjoyable and rewarding way to put advocacy skills into practice.

Throughout the summer school we had lots of opportunities to meet barristers, benchers and members of Lincoln’s Inn. Every conversation offered a different perspective on life at the Bar, and everyone was incredibly generous in sharing their experiences and advice. Meeting Lord Neuberger was a particular privilege. He was incredibly kind, generous with his time and had a wonderful sense of humour.

The summer school has left me feeling more motivated and determined than ever to pursue a career at the Bar. Beyond developing my advocacy skills, it strengthened my confidence and reminded me why I chose to study law in the first place.

Studying with The Open University has shown me that distance learning does not limit the opportunities available if you are willing to work hard, make the most of every opportunity and actively seek new ones. Throughout my degree, I have been encouraged to embrace experiences beyond my studies, and receiving the Neuberger Prize and attending the summer school has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of my legal education so far. 

Submitting my final year 2 assignment just before attending the summer school made it feel like the perfect way to end the academic year. I am now looking forward to beginning my final year, continuing to develop my advocacy skills and taking another step towards my goal of becoming a barrister. 

Charlotte Watts

Charlotte is entering the third year of her LLB (Hons) Law degree at The Open University. Alongside her studies, she works in education and volunteers in a number of community and legal support roles. She has a particular interest in family law, education law and the Court of Protection, and hopes to begin the Bar Training Course in September 2027.