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School of Law
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  4. Clameur de Haro in the Channel Islands project

Clameur de Haro in the Channel Islands project

This Faculty of Humanities and and Social Sciences Student Bursary Project is open to year 2, year 3 and year 4 LLB students and LLM students at Queen Mary University of London.

This project is an exploration of the ancient but still employed Norman-French legal cause of action (activated by reciting the Lord’s Prayer on bended knee) known as the ‘Clameur de Haro’ used to protect private property from interference.

Project lead

Dr Caroline Morris, Department of Law: c.morris@qmul.ac.uk.

Project details

The student’s initial desk research  would be used to support the writing of a book on the Clameur de Haro. The books that exist are written in Norman French so an English equivalent is sorely needed. This book would be a combination of a legal digest, outlining the claim, its elements and successful cases, and a legal history, setting out the origins of the claim and its development across the four Channel Island jurisdictions (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark).

Project work and outcomes

The student tasks fall into two main groups:

  1. A literature search of UK and Channel Islands-specific databases and catalogues to uncover the secondary literature in the form of books, articles, newspaper reports and such that currently exists, on the use of the Clameur from 1200 – present. This information to be complied into a bibliography arranged chronologically by type.
  2. A search of legal databases e.g. jerseylaw.je, guernseylegalresources.gg, Bailii, for caselaw on the Clameur de Haro. Compilation of a chronological list of cases by jurisdiction.

Student skills and knowledge required

  • A meticulous, persistent and careful approach to work
  • An ability to think creatively about potential sources of information 
  • An ability to read and then organise material into sensible and useful categories.

It would be helpful but not necessary if the student had completed the Law of Torts module. An enthusiasm for doctrinal research would also be useful.

All the work may be conducted remotely.

Start date and work pattern

The start date for the project: 3 April 2024

This project Is for 38 hours work (total to be paid: £500) and we envisage the hours being split evenly over the ten weeks at roughly 4 hours per week.  However, the hours could be completed at a pace to suit the student and to accommodate any exam periods and/or holidays.

The arrangements for briefing and monitoring the awarded student would likely be as follows:

There will first be a briefing meeting to discuss the project with the student, including providing them with details of Dr Morris' previous work on this topic, a list of potential sources, and an overview of the project as a whole.  This would be followed up by weekly 1-1 meetings to review progress as needed.  In addition, Dr Morris would be available to discuss any issues arising from the work with the student as and when needed at short notice.

Application and funding details

Students must submit applications to Cath Norman, Research Manager (c.r.norman@qmul.ac.uk) by 12pm on 13 March 2024.

We anticipate that funding will be disbursed in two instalments, both subject to confirmation by the academic project lead that the student has been working appropriately.

The first instalment (40% of the award) will be paid at the end of May 2024; the second (60% of the award) will be paid upon overall completion.

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