ULSTER University law student, Caoimhe McKay, has been awarded the Lord Neuberger Prize for Law, following nomination by staff at the university. The prize was established by the Lincoln’s Inn in London for law students in their penultimate year of a qualifying law degree at non-Russell Group universities. It aims to identify eight students throughout the United Kingdom who are of proven excellence and enables them to network and integrate with the inn. Caoimhe said she is delighted to receive this prestigious accolade, describing it as a “great honour”. “I can’t thank the university and staff enough for their support and teaching to get me to where I am today,” she added.
“The prize opens up a multitude of opportunities for me, and has given me further incentive to pursue a career either as a barrister in law, or to move towards a masters and PhD in international law and human rights, or maybe both. “As a single mum, the challenges to get to this point have been rather immense at times, however, I have found the entirety of my experience empowering and rewarding. “I hope my experience and achievements can inspire others in similar situations to consider pursuing a degree in Law at Ulster University.” The prize includes the opportunity to network with other members of the inn, a place at the inn’s prize winners’ summer school, free membership of the Lincoln’s Inn, a mentor during their final year of studying and a mini pupillage.
Recently Caoimhe, a past pupil of St Mary’s Primary School in Newcastle, Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, and Down High, Downpatrick, travelled to London and completed the Lincoln’s Inn Summer School with other Neuberger and Helen Grindale prize winners. Jason Elliott, the Associate Head of School of Law at Ulster University, congratulated Caoimhe on being awarded the Neuberger Prize. “Caoimhe continues Ulster’s success in this award and it is testament to her dedication and engagement to her studies. “This success is also demonstrable of the hard-working education team at Ulster on the undergraduate law programme who encourage such opportunities for our gifted students. “I have no doubt that Caoimhe will be a fantastic ambassador for the Law School and will return to the final year of her studies with a whole range of new beneficial experiences.”
In addition to the Neuberger Prize, Caoimhe was also awarded the year two overall Pinsent Masons prize winner for Law, and the HHD Solicitors (joint) Family Law prize winner for the 2022/2023 academic year.