Law preliminary reading

hi guys, I've applied to do Law at university in order to become a solicitor, funnily enough. anyway, I want to specialise in litigation and I put this in my PS. the problem is that I can't find any relevant books for litigation law that would be understandable and give me a sound preparation for interview.

also, do you know of any other Law books which give a generally satisfactory understanding of the entire field of law? cheers :tsr2:

btw, i got interested in litigation by reading The Lawyer magazine, not just because it sounds cool!

Reply 1

Ethereal

Litigation isn't a field of law. You litigate in certain fields.

Reply 2

nah

Ethereal

Litigation isn't a field of law. You litigate in certain fields.

sorry, forgot to mention, im interested in commercial litigation.

Reply 3

spark911

Ethereal

Litigation isn't a field of law. You litigate in certain fields.

At least you can get around that, should you have an interview.

Anyway, I'll list the 'general' books I was asked to read:
1) How to study law (Sweet & Maxwell 5th ed)
2) Studying law (Butterworths 5th ed)
3) Invitation to law (Blackwell)
4) Law and Modern society (OUP, 2nd ed)
5) The law machine (Penguin)
6) A critical introduction to Law (cavendish 3rd ed)

Personally, I'd only get 1 (2 if you want). Most of them echo what the others say, with only minor differences in content. Number 4 is a good starting point, as it's an easy read. After than, maybe #2 as it has some information about the course its self (what it's about / how to study it / the type of work).

But think outside the box too. Law is about rules and language, look up books about rules, and about language too. But that's if you're really interested! Some of these books I read: "How to do things with rules" / "Lost for words" [John Humphreys] (the latter being the 'easy read').

Also for 'litigation' you can try perhaps to see if anything here jumps out at you. Some will be pricey, and I'm not sure many are meant for 'light/general reads' - http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-1193042-4683043?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=commercial+litigation&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Reply 4

superdillon

nah

btw, i got interested in litigation by reading The Lawyer magazine, not just because it sounds cool!

In preparation for your interview you don't need to start reading up on things that you listed as being interested in on your personal statement.
You have shown an interest in a particular area and really you didn't even need to do that. Don't expect interview questions on the field on litigation, the most demanding question that you are likely to be asked with respect to this is 'Why are you interested in litigation?'. You will not be asked, for example, how you would advise the parties in a commercial litigation problem that they present to you.
There is unlikely to be a 'dummies guide to litigation' on the market, so you should just concentrate on the other reading that posters have suggested relating to a general interest in the law. Think broadly not narrowly. :smile:

Reply 5

spark911

superdillon

Think broadly not narrowly. :smile:

Yeah the none general books I suggested are more for when you've got offers and you're sure you'll be accepting one and trying to go to uni!

But then your uni may provide its own reading list if you pick one as a firm.

Reply 6

chalks

Litigation isn't a type of law. Its a process for resolving disputes. As a litigator I don't reach for my Big Book of Litigation, but rather texts dealing with the areas of law (contract, tort etc) which are relevant to the problem at hand. There are also texts which deal with the mechanics of the litigation process or alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation. None of those are really entry-level.

If you think you might be interested in litigation then keep reading legal mags such as The Lawyer and the relevant broadsheet papers.

Chalks.