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Centre for Commercial Law Studies

Dame Laura Cox (1975)

Dame Laura Cox studied both her LLB and LLM at the School of Law, and graduated in 1975. She was appointed member of the Queen's Council before becoming a High Court Judge from 2002-2016. She is now an Associate Member of Cloisters Chambers. 

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Dame Laura Cox headshot

Why did you choose to study with us?

I wanted to come to London University to read law and in 1969/70, after applying through UCAS and being interviewed by Ian Yeats, I was lucky enough to be offered a place at Queen Mary College (QMC), as it then was, to study for the LLB. I was very enthused by what was then still a relatively new Law Faculty established at QMC. There was a really exciting atmosphere around the place and I instinctively felt I would be happy there. My instincts turned out to be right.

Why do you think prospective students should study at us?

Job opportunities in the legal world in London have helped me to define my career path. I have had the opportunity to work as an in-house lawyer, in both the public sector and in the private sector: I have worked for an international oil company and in an international law firm which enabled me to work towards qualifying as a solicitor in England & Wales. My experience at Queen Mary not only gave me the knowledge but also the opportunity to see that law could be practiced in different ways. So now I know what I really want and where I am going.

I would say to anyone considering applying to Queen Mary from abroad that it is possible. All the limitations and concerns that one might have -which I also used to have before pursuing this path - are psychological. If you really want to do it, you can make it happen and believe me it will be worth it.

What does being a member of our community mean to you?

I feel very privileged to be a member of the CCLS community, since I feel that I owe so much of my fulfilling and successful legal career to my time as a student there.  It is where it all began for me.

How did your at experience with us contribute to your career?

The legal knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and encouragement of the teaching staff there had a huge impact on me personally and on my decision to study for the Bar, at a time when there were few women in the profession. The rigorous analytical skills we learned there, together with a respect for the law and for the role of the law in society, were the best possible foundation for a successful legal practice. We were all encouraged, whatever our backgrounds, to aim high and to persevere, an approach which stood me in good stead over many years.

What have you done in your time since you left us?

I was a barrister 1976-2002 (appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994) and then a High Court Judge 2002-2016. I retired from the Bench to undertake other work and I am now an Associate Member of Cloisters Chambers.

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