From the Classroom to a Calling: How a Miscarriages of Justice Module Sparked a Student鈥檚 Passion for Reform
A law module was redesigned to explore wrongful convictions through real stories, leading one student created a video tribute to Tom Hedges, a wrongly convicted sub-postmaster, sparking a personal connection and inspiring a possible PhD path.
When Professor re-designed the Miscarriages of Justice undergraduate module with Suzanne Gower, they did so with a clear purpose: to bring the law to life through real-world stories and to inspire students to think critically and compassionately about the justice system. But even they could not have anticipated the profound ripple effects that the assignments would create.
As part of the module鈥檚 assessment, Claire invited students to explore the theme of wrongful convictions in a creative format. One student, Fatin Najwa Fadzli, deeply moved by what they had learned, chose to create a video blog (vlog) and dedicated it to , a former sub-postmaster who had been wrongly convicted during the infamous Post Office Horizon scandal.
Tom had previously visited the module to speak candidly to students about the devastating impact of being wrongly accused, tried, and convicted. His honesty, humility, and quiet strength left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. But for this student, Tom鈥檚 story did more than resonate, it sparked a calling.
The vlog was a heartfelt tribute, not just to Tom鈥檚 personal resilience but to the broader need for justice, reform, and accountability. Moved by the student's dedication, Claire reached out to Tom to share the vlog and the powerful message behind it. True to the compassionate spirit that defines him, Tom responded by writing a personal letter to the student, thanking them, encouraging them, and reminding them that their voice matters in the ongoing fight for justice.
That one moment, a connection between a student, a teacher, and a survivor of injustice, may have changed the student鈥檚 life. Inspired by both the academic experience and Tom鈥檚 courage, the student is now considering pursuing a , aiming to become part of the next generation of legal professionals working to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again. This would of course be alongside Najwas national team ice hockey appearances!
This is more than just a story of one student and one assignment. It is a reminder of the extraordinary power of education when it is rooted in empathy, real-world relevance, and human connection. It shows the importance of giving students the space to respond creatively and emotionally to the law and how, in doing so, they may just find their life鈥檚 purpose.
Professor Claire McGourlay continues to lead the way in innovative legal education, but stories like this remind us that her true legacy lies not only in curriculum design, but in the lives Claire shapes, one student, one story, one act of justice at a time.
Claire McGourlay reflects:
As an undergraduate law student, it was the Cardiff Newsagent Three case that marked a turning point for me, an epiphany that shaped the course of my academic career. Since 1992, my work has centred around the justice system. Stories like this one remind me exactly why I do what I do. It is incredibly rewarding to see the transformative impact education can have.