Undergraduate Law

Girton has a longstanding tradition in studying the law and is proud of its immensely distinguished alumni in this field. Girton lawyers have always been pioneers. To mention but a few, the College Visitor, Baroness Brenda Hale, was the first female justice of the Supreme Court, and the first female President of the Supreme Court; Lady Mary Arden of Heswall – now a justice of the Supreme Court – was the first female High Court Judge to be assigned to the Chancery Division; Dame Elizabeth Gloster was the first female judge appointed to the Commercial Court and was later made a Lady Justice of Appeal and Dame Rosalyn Higgins was the first woman to become the President of the International Court of Justice.

The college has a large and friendly community of lawyers, both at undergraduate and graduate level. Dr Stephanie Palmer is a University Senior Lecturer and supervises in Constitutional Law and Human Rights Law. Dr Stelios Tofaris is a University Lecturer and supervises in Civil Law, Tort Law and Contract Law. In 2018, he was awarded a Pilkington Prize by the University for excellence in teaching. Dr Shona Wilson Stark is a University Lecturer and supervises in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. Excellence in teaching is a priority for all Girton law fellows, and we form strong bonds with our students which continue well beyond the end of their time in Girton.