Reflections – Aarushi Sahore

I write my final reflections having made it through the whirlwind of final exams, which took place in May and June. As mentioned in my previous report, I took four papers: Restitution, Advanced Private Law, Legal History and Economics of Law. I received my results in late June and am pleased to report that I obtained a First Class result in each of my papers, and a First Class overall.

The last few months

At Cambridge, the Easter term has very few classes and students are expected to undertake independent revision. The days were long and summer seemed to be coming around the corner, albeit at a snail’s pace! I tried my best to study as if it was a job – putting in hours every day but taking breaks and having evenings off. It was a little daunting because the entire year’s content was to be assessed by way of 3-hour exams, but I am so glad that the hard work paid off. These exams seemed to reward slow and steady thinking over the course of the year, and the refinement of ideas with the constructive feedback of teachers on practice essays.

During this period, my extracurricular activities wound down a bit but I did continue to enjoy various aspects of Cambridge life:

  • My group finalised a report on asset recovery and tracing for victims of human rights violations for the Cambridge Pro Bono Project, and I continued my editorial work with the Cambridge International Law Journal.
  • I played in Netball Cuppers for Queens’ College, which was a university-wide tournament, and I was voted by my team as player of the season!
  • I attended a lecture by President Hale of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, discussing principle and pragmatism in private law.
  • I attended a seminar by barrister William Day, chaired by Professor Richard Fentiman, about illegality in contract law and international comity.
  • I attended the launch of a new collection of essays in honour of Professor John Baker and had the opportunity to speak to him about the history course.
  • I attended the valedictory lecture of the Cambridge LLM, delivered by Lord Justice Lloyd-Jones about aspects of judgment writing and decision-making by the courts.
  • I attended various events at Queens’ College, culminating in the biennial May Ball, a carnival-like party with fireworks and concerts in different parts of the college.
  • I gave a speech at an alumni event at Queens’ College in the beautiful President’s Garden, speaking about the benefits of scholarships and bursaries and the doors that they can open for students.

In this term I was applying for pupillages in London, so was busy with interviews as well. In the end, the process went well and I will be starting as a pupil barrister in London next year!

Thank you

As I reflect on the year gone, I feel immense gratitude for the support of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association. The course would have been inaccessible without the Scholarship, given the ever-increasing international fees for major universities in the UK and US. The Scholarship made it possible for me to savour every moment and immerse myself in student life without financial stresses. It also motivated me every day to know that I had the Association’s support from back home; it even made me feel accountable – I wanted to ensure that the Association’s investment was worthwhile! As it turns out, the year has been a formative one in my life, so it is no exaggeration to say that I would not be where I am now without the support of the Scholarship. Thank you so much.