A Year in Review 2023: Student Highlights

20 Dec 2023

As we bid farewell to another year, we reflect on some of 2023’s highlights at the UCC School of Law.

To begin, we look back on key student achievements from the year.

The Law Society had another busy and successful year.  One of the highlights of the year was the Women in Law Forum, which was held on March 8th, International Women’s Day. Sponsored by CKT Solicitors, the day focused on highlighting the success and versatility of women within the legal sphere.  The 23rd UCC Law Society Conference was held in November, titled ‘Ireland’s Role in International Justice Through the European Lens’.  The conference was sponsored by William Fry and the society’s charity partner was Nasc. 

Meanwhile, the UCC Free Legal Advice Society have also had an active year.  Their Law and Sustainability event held in January, explored a range of topics including discussions on the concerns of Irish farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, what individuals can do to promote sustainability and the importance of environmental rights and protecting environmental defenders in a time of multiple crises.  

This year, our students participated in numerous debates and competitions – both in Ireland and abroad.  

The prestigious UCC School of Law Annual Gala Moot, incorporating the James D Donegan Memorial Prize, was held in March, with students presenting and defending legal submissions before Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle. The students were delighted to meet President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at the Moot dinner, who very kindly congratulated them on their mooting achievement!  

Second-year Law and Irish students, Ruairí Ó Conchúir, Conor Ó Floinn, and Oisín Ó Síocháin were announced the winners of The Law Society's Human Rights Student Competition 2023 for their submission, entitled ‘Parole in Ireland – a Balance of Rights’. 

In March, a group of students travelled to Vienna to take part in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The first team to represent the UCC School of Law in this moot competition, the team competed in 4 tough preliminary rounds against The International University of Sarajevo, the United Arab Emerates University, Monash University and the University of Freiburg. 

In March, eight School of Law students travelled to Ghent, Belgium to take part in the final part of an International Negotiation Programme in collaboration with the Law Department at Ghent University. The trip was the culmination of a six-week programme, where law students from the two universities had the opportunity to engage in simulated international business negotiations both online and in person.  

A team of our students took part in the annual Irish Red Cross Corn Adomnáin competition in March, placing third out of nine teams from across the island of Ireland.  

In April, the College of Business and Law welcomed students and their families to UCC campus for the college's annual Scholarship and Prizes Award Ceremony. This is a special occasion where we celebrate the academic and personal achievements of our students. 

In May, the 22nd Edition of the Cork Online Law Review was launched by Mr Justice Gerard Hogan of the Supreme Court.  

In September, The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD formally announced BCL Clinical student Alicia Joy O’Sullivan as a United Nations Youth Delegate for 2023 – 2024. As a UN Youth Delegate, Alicia has been working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and has had the opportunity to engage with young people across Ireland about foreign policy issues.  

UCC's team of BCL Gaeilge students Oisín Ó Síocháin and Amergín Ó Caoindealbháin came second in The Gael Linn Moot Court competition, Bréagchúirt Uí Dhálaigh 2023, which took place in The Four Courts, Dublin in November.   

In November, PhD scholar Niamh Guiry was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award by an Taisce’s Climate Ambassador Programme.  In December, Niamh travelled to the COP 28 Global Summit in Dubai as part of UCC's delegation. 

Congratulations to those who graduated in 2023 – we are so proud of all that each graduate has achieved. 

As well as academic achievements, School of Law students continue to pursue sporting success on the world stage.  This year saw final year law student and Quercus scholar, Conor McGlinchey win the AKO Kick-Boxing World Championships.  Conor abú!