Liang Yongyan (Oriel, 2008 - )

Becoming a Student of Law

My name is Liang Yongyan, and my friends call me Debbie. Yongyan is my given name, indicating ¡§an honorable and knowledgeable person¡¨. My grandfather who was the first chief of the Anti-Bribery Bureau in Guangzhou, chose this name, hoping that I would grow into an upright, persevering and thoughtful person. Growing up in a family of prosecutors, I have, from a young age, developed a fascination for law and its connection with our daily life. However, the most significant experience in my path of legal study is serving as a volunteer leader in Zhiguang Special Education School where I witnessed a cozy home turned into a disaster. Although it is the first special school in China that can provide the mentally disabled with employment after three years of training, Zhiguang was ordered to move out from the land on which the school was built, by the local court. And then surprisingly, the new tenant of the land sent a demolition crew to Zhiguang and pulled down all the school buildings, while justifying their destruction as enforcement of the court order despite such action being unlawful. It was the first time that I became aware of the responsibility of law practitioners. Since the local police did not want to intervene, I accompanied the principal of Zhiguang, Ms Wang, to negotiate with the intruders and earned extra time to rebuild a new campus. Thanks to the help of several international charity organizations we managed to find a new location for the school and build a temporary campus for the children. This unique experience attracted my attention to the inefficiencies of Chinese law, such as in respect of human rights and public policy. I felt my zeal to devote all my expertise and energy into the study and practice of law ever since.

Oxford at First Sight

My first venture to Oxford started with Summer School program in August 2006 with the funding from the David and Jayne Paterson Educational Trust. It was a golden opportunity for a Chinese student to learn about foreign culture, educational pattern, British history and the common law system. Besides movies at night and day trips to famous tourist attractions, we had lectures given by a member of the Oxford law Faculty of Law each day, and I became interested in studying the principles of common law. At the end of this program, I was awarded Distinction for my essays on the English law of contract and the operation of precedent. Although one month was not long enough to gain a deep insight into the common law system, I was greatly enlightened by the stimulating atmosphere of western legal education. Moreover, in a completely new environment, we communicated and cooperated more than I had been used to with our peers. As a result, my communicative skills improved and the spirit of teamwork was been enhanced. Indeed, it was the best trip so far in my lifetime! What I gained in the summer school was a priceless treasure that has enriched my life. I really wanted to get back to Oxford again.

Now I'm back in Oxford!

My attendance at the CUPL-Oxford Summer School confirmed my ambition to pursue an advanced degree in common law. However, when I realized I could only afford a one-year program abroad, the Trust held out a strong supporting hand to me and became again the bridge between Oxford and me! My sincerest thanks are far more than I can express by words; instead, I will do my utmost to achieve academic excellence in the following three years and try to make my own contribution to the development of the Chinese legal system.

October 2008