New Wine in Old Bottles or New Wine in New Bottles?

This chapter traces the origins of what became the new university law schools, paying particular attention to the creation, culture, and contribution of the United Kingdom polytechnics. It argues that the ‘equal but different’ philosophy of the polytechnics has special application to law teaching. In particular, it demonstrates that legal education outside the traditional universities has a commitment to vocationalism, innovation in teaching and learning, and to widening access to both legal education and the legal profession. Drawing on research findings, the chapter explores the nature and the professional norms of law teachers in new universities, as contrasted with their counterparts in the traditional sector.