The School of Law at The University of Nottingham is delighted to host the 2015 Hamlyn Lecture entitled ‘Even lawyers were children once’ to be delivered by Professor Michael Freeman (UCL).

In this major public lecture, the question will be posed as to whether a good childhood requires a framework such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Is this what lawyers remembering their own childhood would have wanted? The values supporting rights for children, such as dignity, respect and equality, will be examined as will the principles and some of the main norms. The view will be presented that the Convention is a great achievement but only a beginning. The lecture will conclude with an exploration of what citizenship for children would involve. Are votes for children the right answer? Or just a diversionary tactic? Has the time come to rethink children’s rights? How relevant are children’s views as to the reforms needed?

This lecture is free to all but online registration is required in advance (closing date Monday 2 November).

About the speaker:

Michael Freeman, is Emeritus Professor of English Law at UCL; a Fellow of the British Academy; Of Gray’s Inn, Barrister; Fellow of UCL; and Editor of the International Journal of Children’s Rights. He is the author of numerous books including The Rights and Wrongs of Children (1983), The Moral Status of Children (1997), The Best Interests of the Child (2007), and Children, Their Families and the Law (1992).

Hamlyn Lectures 2015:

Wednesday 11 November 2015 at Leeds University – Are children human?

Wednesday 18 November 2015 at The University of Nottingham – Even lawyers were children once

Wednesday 25 November 2015 at University College London – A “Magna Carta” for children?