I'm hoping to apply to do Law at university this September; here is a list of activities I have been doing as research around the subject:
-Listening to Law in Action and taking notes (it's finished for the season)
-Keeping up to date with changes in the Law by reading the Indpendent occasionally i.e. end of witness anonymity, the new Laws aimed to help victims of Domestic Abuse.
-Reading literature relating to Law; I'm hoping to read Crime and Punishment soon.
-Attending a talk about training contracts at a top Law Firm
-I'm planning to also attend a debate about the issue of education.
Is there anything else I can do to maximise my chances of getting an offer; I have the grades required so far for AS and I'm in the process of writing my personal statement.
To be honest, I didn't do anything Law related and I still got offers at UCL, Kings, Queen Mary's and Westminster. My paragraph about why I wanted to study Law in Uni was pitifully small - about two lines long.
What I did do was a lot of stuff in my school - I did my Duke of Edinburgh award, I helped organise a christmas party for children with special needs (which is something my school does every year), I helped run a scheme to send christmas cards to British prisoners abroad and I took part in things like carol concerts. So all I can advise is to take part in as many school-based activities as you can as well
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Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by Indigo_Water
Law at University
I'm hoping to apply to do Law at university this September; here is a list of activities I have been doing as research around the subject:
-Listening to Law in Action and taking notes (it's finished for the season)
-Keeping up to date with changes in the Law by reading the Indpendent occasionally i.e. end of witness anonymity, the new Laws aimed to help victims of Domestic Abuse.
-Reading literature relating to Law; I'm hoping to read Crime and Punishment soon.
-Attending a talk about training contracts at a top Law Firm
-I'm planning to also attend a debate about the issue of education.
Is there anything else I can do to maximise my chances of getting an offer; I have the grades required so far for AS and I'm in the process of writing my personal statement.
Thanks!
Probably not the best choice of reading material if reading solely for the aim of improving knowledge of legal systems...
Probably not the best choice of reading material if reading solely for the aim of improving knowledge of legal systems...
She didn't say it was solely to improve her knowledge of the legal systems; I recommed reading Crime and punishment, as it demonstrates that your passion for law, extends into your choice of fiction reading.
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Posts: 126
Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by Shaz_08
She didn't say it was solely to improve her knowledge of the legal systems; I recommed reading Crime and punishment, as it demonstrates that your passion for law, extends into your choice of fiction reading.
Just saying that if it's for the purpose of one of those toe-curling contrived name drops in a personal statement or admissions interviews that people seem to be a big fan of, it's not the best choice.
Why bother reading any "story" books about law? Try finding out about the philosophical reasonings for the rule of law - that's different and much more interesting. There's no point you reading any substantial "proper" law books - you'll probably not understand them and/or be bored stupid by them. How about actually taking part in a debate, rather than just going to one? Does your school/college have a debating club? Join it. Also - another changing area of the law is that which affects a fairly large proportion of the population - cohabitees rights.
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Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by Rosbif
Just saying that if it's for the purpose of one of those toe-curling contrived name drops in a personal statement or admissions interviews that people seem to be a big fan of, it's not the best choice.
I've never studied Law in the UK, but from experience of the French system, it's the study of history and the classics that stand you in good stead. I'm not sue if I've got their english titles correct for all of them but:
Rousseau's Social Contract which underpins most of wht you will study when it comes to the responsibility between the sovereign and the people, whatever the juristriction in which you're studying. John Locke's Treatises of Modern government follows a similar theme.
See also Thomas Hobbes works on Social Contract.
When it comes to classical philo, Platon's the obvious starting point. Republic and Protagoras as quite applicable.
Ciceron's De re publica it another in the vein of Republique.
Things like Trotsky's History of the Russian Revolution and also a lot of Churchill's accounts of 20th century conflict, despite both being very biased, are detailed accounts of how politics steer history.
I said, I've only ever studied Law in France, where law studies are pretty heavy with History and philosophy, but legal and political theory is pretty much relevant across the board.
Bear in mind that when it comes to reading, you'll get nowhere if you're reading something because you feel you ought to, and not because of a genuine interest or enjoyment for the topic, so just read what you find interesting. There's nothing worse that the aforementioned dropping of titles into personal statements and interviews. Any idiot will see through it and ignore it.
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Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by Solemn Wanderer
Did Denning ever write any books?
I don't know if this is a real question but, yes, a dozen or so I believe. Bit controversial in places, as you would expect. Should be pretty high on your reading list if you have any interest whatsoever in jurisprudence, or law, or politics, or reading.
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Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by Rosbif
I don't know if this is a real question but, yes, a dozen or so I believe. Bit controversial in places, as you would expect. Should be pretty high on your reading list if you have any interest whatsoever in jurisprudence, or law, or politics, or reading.
Lord Denning is an idiot. He is my most disliked judge of them all. Why on earth would I want to read a "denning" book, if he did even write any, for the interest of philosophy? The man is not remotely philosophical, he was a judge for heaven's sake, they still believe they are impartial and objective (although everything is subjective, NOTHING is objective - think about it) and that they represent society. Who in fact do they represent? White, middle/upper class, secular males, that's who - they represent no other class of person.
Also - don't read Plato (the republic anyway), I have, but I enjoy philosophy and I did a philosophy based module in my final year (although we did not have to read plato). You'll hate the language he uses, and you won't understand much of the "hidden" meanings. Read it when you understand law first!
As for the social contract theory.... I think it's utter bull! A book called "sword and scales" by Martin Loughlin (I think it's him anyway) is a good introduction to the philosophy (aka more interesting side) of law if you're interested in that. But don't delve straight into the heavy stuff.
Legal discourse is very interesting though, and whether one can make a universal law. However, I, as usual, disagree that discourse can create universal laws. But they're interesting theories, even if I do think they're a load of toss.
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Re: Law at University
Originally Posted by kaisersalsek
Lord Denning is an idiot. He is my most disliked judge of them all. Why on earth would I want to read a "denning" book, if he did even write any, for the interest of philosophy? The man is not remotely philosophical, he was a judge for heaven's sake, they still believe they are impartial and objective (although everything is subjective, NOTHING is objective - think about it) and that they represent society. Who in fact do they represent? White, middle/upper class, secular males, that's who - they represent no other class of person.
Those "White, middle/upper class, secular males" may not be representative of the majority of the populus, but they are of those that guide the legal system. It may, therefore, be perhaps a good idea to study their thoughts and doctrine if you are planning on becoming a student of that legal system. Just a guess. You may not agree with a man's point of view, but I'm guessing that he may well have a lot more insight to offer into the British legal system than your good self.
If you're going to be discounting "White, middle/upper class, secular males" it could well make your reading lists at university a damn sight shorter. Which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your point of view.
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