by Rachael Campbell and Eleanore Hickman, University of Bristol Law School
This post discusses pedagogical research and innovation within the Law School. It was originally published by the Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching, at: Students as Dealmakers: How a Corporate Law Simulation is Preparing Future-Ready Lawyers
The legal profession is evolving and now more than ever students feel the need to be practice ready by the time they graduate. At the University of Bristol, the Corporate Law Simulation (CLS) unit is answering that call. CLS is a final year optional module on the Bristol undergraduate law degree. It was co-designed with leading international law firm Osborne Clarke and places students at the heart of a simulated corporate acquisition. It’s not just about legal knowledge—it’s about skills, self-awareness, and understanding the role of the modern lawyer. We asked the 2024/25 cohort about their experience on CLS and share these with you below.
From Lecture Halls to Boardrooms
The premise is simple but powerful: immerse students in a realistic M&A transaction—in this case, the acquisition of a car battery manufacturer. By working in simulated buyer and seller teams, students step into the shoes of deal lawyers, negotiating and drafting documents, conducting due diligence, and advising fictional clients.
As one student put it, “This course is a giant case study… we grapple with concepts in a nuanced way that sets us apart from other candidates.” The unit doesn’t just teach the “what” of corporate law; it teaches the “how”—how to advise, how to collaborate, and how to add value. For some students it is a timely reminder of the value of the profession: “This course reminded me that law is creative. We’re not just applying rules—we’re solving problems in human ways.” According to another student; “the simulation made law feel alive. It’s not just rules on a page—it’s people, deals, and consequences.”
“Soft” Skills, Solid Impact
Legal expertise is critical, but it’s the people skills—communication, teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving—that often distinguish a good lawyer from a great one. These skills are embedded throughout the CLS unit.
Every seminar is team-based. Students take on different roles and work to real-world deadlines, mirroring the pressures and collaboration of legal practice. As one participant reflected, “We’ve worked more in teams in this module than across the rest of the degree. Every session tested our people skills.” Negotiation week is a favourite among students and teachers alike. One student reported that; “the negotiation taught me that compromise doesn’t mean weakness—it means understanding value from both sides.”
For some students, the focus on skills revealed hidden strengths. “I didn’t realise I was good at summarising large documents quickly,” said one student, whilst for another, the course made them aware “they could lead a negotiation and manage client expectations. CLS helped me see myself in a new light.”
Authentic Learning and Employability
A major driver of the CLS unit is the belief in authentic, experiential learning. This means tasks that mirror the realities of law practice—not just exams or essays, but client pitches, reflective writing, and live negotiation.
Guest lectures from Osborne Clarke and other industry professionals ensure that students stay grounded in current trends—from ESG and AI, to economic policy and its effect on deal activity. Students gain insight into not only how the law works, but how it responds to social context. According to one student “before, I thought research meant textbooks. Now, I’m reading firm blogs, news, and thinking critically about what’s happening in the world”.
The focus on employability is deliberate. CLS has helped many students secure training contracts, with some reporting that it gave them “the confidence to speak with authority in interviews.” Others noted how they could finally understand and explain terms like “due diligence” and “indemnities” beyond buzzwords—transforming vague awareness into practical literacy.
Reflection: A Powerful (and Underrated) Tool
Unique among most law units, CLS includes a structured reflective writing component, now enhanced through the integration of the Bristol Skills Profile. Students are asked not only to consider what they’ve learned, but who they are becoming. The three pillars of the Bristol Skills Profile —“What will I learn? What will I be able to do? What will I become?”—align closely with the ethos of the course. Students find this framework useful because it provides the tools with which they can take their reflection deeper, gaining a greater understanding of themselves, how they are progressing in the unit and beyond, and where they can usefully focus their attention.
Admittedly, reflective writing can be a “hard sell” at first. Many students are unfamiliar with it. However, over time the value becomes clear. “I learned I’m a better listener than I thought,” one student shared, “and that empathy can be a strength in negotiation” added another.
AI and the Future of Lawyering
With AI reshaping many industries, CLS also invites students to engage critically with technology’s impact on legal practice. As with many professions, students can be fearful of what AI means for the availability of employment and the quality of work. Rather than shying away from the topic, the unit includes discussions on how generative AI might streamline due diligence, contract review, and admin-heavy tasks. Guest lecturers speak of how AI will make a lawyer’s work more intellectually stimulating by freeing them up to focus on judgment, strategy, and client relationships.
For some students, this reframed a fear into an opportunity. “AI isn’t replacing me,” said one, “it’s augmenting the service I’ll provide.” Another concluded, “being a good lawyer isn’t just about legal knowledge. It’s about being human. That’s what AI can’t do.”
Beyond the Law Firm
While CLS is tailored toward commercial law practice, its lessons extend far beyond. The focus on communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability makes it relevant for any career path. “Even if I don’t become a corporate lawyer,” one student explained, “this course taught me how to work under pressure, collaborate, and deliver results.”
Perhaps more importantly, it helps students understand themselves. Many discovered a stronger sense of identity and confidence. “I know what I’m good at now,” shared one student, whilst another said “I can articulate my value.”
Student Voices, Lasting Impact
As the unit continues to grow—now enrolling over 140 students—it remains one of the most distinctive offerings in the Law School. Its success lies not just in what it teaches, but how. By blending theory with practice, fostering reflection (supported by the Bristol Skills Framework), and grounding everything in authenticity, CLS equips students not just for their next step, but for the road ahead.
Conclusion
The Corporate Law Simulation unit exemplifies what legal education can be when it is designed around real-world needs and student development. In an age of digital transformation, global competition, and growing demands on new lawyers, Bristol’s CLS unit stands as a model for experiential, future-facing legal education. It doesn’t just teach law—it teaches students how to thrive in it.