Dickson Poon School of Law

Dickson Poon School of Law is the law school of King's College London, one of the founding colleges of the University of London. It was formally renamed in 2012 following a major donation from the Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist Dickson Poon. The school is consistently ranked among the leading law schools in the United Kingdom and globally, known for its research strength and influential alumni in the judiciary, government, and legal practice.

History

The origins of legal education at King's College London date to its foundation in 1829, with law formally taught from the 1830s. The modern law department was established in 1992, consolidating and expanding the college's legal offerings. A pivotal moment came in 2012 with a transformative £20 million gift from Sir Dickson Poon, leading to its renaming and enabling significant investment in facilities, scholarships, and academic posts. This period saw the school move into the renovated Somerset House East Wing on the Strand campus, a historic building also housing the Courtauld Institute of Art. Throughout its recent history, the school has been closely associated with figures like Lord Bingham and has developed strong ties with institutions such as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Inns of Court.

Academic profile

The school offers a comprehensive suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the LLB, various LLM specialisms, and research degrees (MPhil/PhD). Its teaching is research-led, with particular scholarly strengths in areas like European Union law, international law, medical law, and philosophy of law. The school engages in numerous international exchanges and dual-degree programs with partners such as National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, and University of California, Berkeley. It is also home to the prestigious Hong Kong Scholarship, established by Dickson Poon, which supports students from Hong Kong to study law in London.

Research centres and institutes

Research is organized through several dedicated centres, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and public policy impact. The Centre of European Law is a long-standing hub for the study of EU law and its interaction with United Kingdom constitutional law. The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, promotes the principles championed by Lord Bingham. Other key units include the Institute of Medical Law and Ethics, the Centre for Technology, Ethics, Law and Society, and the King's Centre for International Relations and Diplomacy. These institutes regularly host lectures, seminars, and conferences featuring prominent figures from the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, and global academia.

Notable faculty and alumni

The school's faculty includes eminent scholars and practitioners such as Sir William Blair, a former High Court judge, and Dame Linda Dobbs. Historically, it has been associated with the jurist Hersch Lauterpacht. Its alumni network is extensive and influential, spanning the highest levels of the legal profession and public life. Notable graduates include former Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, former Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders, and MP David Lammy. Other distinguished alumni are found in leadership roles at institutions like the World Bank, the United Nations, and major firms such as Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Campus and facilities

The school is primarily located in the Somerset House East Wing on King's Strand Campus, in the heart of legal London. This location places it near the Royal Courts of Justice, the Inns of Court, and the Houses of Parliament. The building houses the modern Moot Court, the Maughan Library (which holds significant legal collections), and dedicated research centres. Students also have access to the university-wide facilities of King's College London, including the Shakespeare's Globe library and the Gordon Museum of Pathology. The school's physical integration within a major cultural venue like Somerset House underscores its commitment to connecting law with the broader arts and society.

Category:King's College London Category:Law schools in London