Swansea University Law student Florian Schacker is well on his way to achieving his dream of having a career in international maritime and commercial law.
The 21-year-old graduates top of the class from the LLB Joint Honours in Law and Economics course at Swansea’s School of Law today (Wednesday, July 21).
Excelling academically since joining the programme in 2007, Florian, originally from Bielefeld in Germany, has also been awarded The Swansea Legal Charitable Trust Prize and has been nominated for the Sir Samuel Evans Prize.
The Sir Samuel Evans Prize is awarded annually for Law graduates who in the opinion of the external examiner has attained the highest standard in their degree. The prize is worth around £1,300 and is in memory of the late Right Honorable Sir Samuel Thomas Evans, PC, GCB, LLD (1859-1919).
The Swansea Legal Charitable Trust prize is awarded to final year students by Lawrence Griffiths and John Edmund, Chairman of the Trustees of the Swansea Legal Charitable Foundation.
Florian is now eagerly awaiting news on whether he has been successful in achieving an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Award, will enable him to progress onto Swansea’s LLM programme which will assist him in his further studies on Swansea’s LLM in International Maritime and Commercial Law course, starting this October.
Proud to be following in his father, Dr Bertram Schacker‘s footsteps, Florian said: “As a child, I was always fascinated by all the stories he told. Although my father, a commercial solicitor, worked very hard, I was always interested and fascinated by his work.
“I was further excited by the constantly changing nature of law and legislation and going into law seemed a natural career path for me after finishing Sixth Form at Worth School, then a Catholic Boys School, in West Sussex.”
Florian’s parents are very proud of his achievements to date and will be attending the graduation with him.
It was the opportunity to complete a LLB Joint Honours in Economics and Law which first attracted Florian to Swansea.
He said: “I wanted an LLB rather than a BA Degree in Law and Economics, as this is well regarded in Germany. Swansea was the only UK university which offered this combination.
“I was also impressed straight away by the quality of the Library and the approach of the lecturers. The University also has a very good reputation for postgraduate degrees and this clinched it for me.”
Commenting on his achievement, Dr Stuart Macdonald from the University’s School of Law said: “We congratulate Florian on his outstanding results in his LLB degree, which are testament to his exceptional ability, determination and hard work.
“The School of Law’s LLM in International Maritime and Commercial Law is the leading one of its kind in the UK and enjoys close links with the international shipping, trade, banking and insurance sectors. It would be an excellent next step for Florian as he pursues his career ambitions, and we look forward to welcoming him onto the course in October.”
Florian is currently undecided on whether to go into practice straight away after completing his LLM in International Maritime and Commercial Law at Swansea, or whether to do an Undergraduate Law Degree in Germany after qualifying.
This would give him a thorough understanding of the German legal system, which can only be advantageous according to Florian.
“As the second largest exporter worldwide and given Germany’s role in international trade, this will certainly be to my benefit. However, with Law you have so many options.
“I’ve been looking at a number of opportunities both locally and further afield and am in the process of applying for training contracts in London. Until I’m sure where to go next, I’m happy to keep my options open.”
For more information about Swansea University Graduation Week visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk/graduation/
