Legal Professions Research Group
This group is dedicated to the global study of the legal professions and legal professionalism, at a moment of rapid change and multiple challenges and opportunities for legal professionals

- Faculty of Social Sciences
- School of Law
- Research and expertise
- Legal Professions Research Group
Legal Professions Research Group
Our Research Group
Based in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Education the aim of the Legal Professions Research Group (LPRG) is to promote world-leading, interdisciplinary and international research on legal professions, legal professionalism and legal education’s links with professional training. Together with our partners and affiliates from the wider academic and professional practice communities, the Group focuses on the role of lawyers and other legal services professionals in a rapidly changing world, and the challenges and opportunities they face.
Our Research
The last few decades have seen momentous changes to the legal profession, ranging from the technologies which are transforming its work, to its organisational and regulatory environment, and the varied and constantly shifting nature of its clients. Established in 2021, at the School of Law, the LPRG’s research addresses these changes and their impact, including the expansion, diversification and fragmentation of the profession.
We promote world-leading, interdisciplinary and international research on legal professions and legal professionalism and legal education’s links with professional training. The Group’s members have a breadth and diversity of research interests, incorporating a broad span of legal practice from corporate law to criminal law, regulatory to human rights and social justice; as noted in this selection of our past research projects. Our agenda is shaped by our engagement with both academic communities and with practitioners, professional bodies, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Our experts
Our team consists of leading experts in the field of legal profession scholarship and teaching, with extensive domestic and international experience in legal practice
More on Our expertsResearch Projects
Our research projects explore contemporary issues within the legal profession, having a local and international reach.
More on Research ProjectsPostgraduate research
We welcome postgraduate students looking to develop their research projects on the legal profession
More on Postgraduate research
National and International networks
The Group’s focus is both local and global. We have extensive domestic and international networks encompassing leading scholars in the field, practitioners, professional bodies, legal regulators and other stakeholders.

Alex Batesmith contributes a chapter to 'Leading Works on the Legal Profession'
Alex Batesmith has contributed a chapter to the collection 'Leading Works on…
Wednesday 9 August 2023
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School of Law hosts the Professionals and Professionalism(s) in International Criminal Justice workshop, 14 July 2023
The workshop was the first of a series of future events and international…
Wednesday 2 August 2023
More on School of Law hosts the Professionals and Professionalism(s) in International Criminal Justice workshop, 14 July 2023
School of Law hosts the Professionals and Professionalism(s) in International Criminal Justice workshop
The full-day workshop was the first of a series of events and international…
Tuesday 18 July 2023
More on School of Law hosts the Professionals and Professionalism(s) in International Criminal Justice workshop
Professor Sommerlad collaborates with Lund University
Professor Hilary Sommerlad was recently invited to participate in two…
Monday 6 March 2023
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