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Background reading for Law application

Hello,

I intend to apply for Law for entry in 2009. As well as keeping abreast of current affairs, are there any (light-ish) books that it would be good to have a look at over the summer before PS writing/interview.

The LSE prospectus suggests:

•

Understanding Law - J Adams and R Brownsword

•

How to Study Law - A Bradney et al

•

Can Human Rights Survive? - C Gearty

However, I would love to hear if anyone else has any advice?

Thanks

Reply 1

Prudy

Hmm...for a factual overview of the ELS Glanville Williams is standard form. How about something like 'The Politics of the Judiciary' by JAG Griffiths? I read 'The Justice Game' by Geoffrey Robertson.

Reply 2

jacketpotato

'Understanding Law' is a great book I think. I read it for my Cam interview, and I felt it struck just the right balance between being deep enough and accesible enough, and it introduced you to some of the basic debates in law that you can mention at interview rather than just an overview of the basic facts of the law. I definitely think I impressed by being able to discuss one of the debates outlined in the book, about how you conceptualise law.

I also read 'The Law Machine', its a short book providing a nice overview of the court system and legal professions, but it doesn't equip you for a law interview in the way that 'Understanding Law' does.

Reply 3

Prudy

Ooh, a good book I read recently (course text so it may be a bit too specific) is 'Rediscovering the Law of Negligence' by Allan Beever.

TBH, don't concern yourself tooooo much with books. Current affairs, and forming justified opinions on said affairs, is also rather important.

Also, see if you can get your hands on articles from Law Reviews.

Reply 4

Tory_boy

Conor_

•

Understanding Law - J Adams and R Brownsword

•

How to Study Law - A Bradney et al

•

Can Human Rights Survive? - C Gearty

However, I would love to hear if anyone else has any advice?

Thanks

Those are all good choices. Another one you may want to consider is What about Law

Its written by some great authors and it looks a lot more interesting to read than that list from LSE. I imagine it will also prepare you better for your interview at Oxford.

Reply 5

tgnhje

Thank you all very much for your suggestions!

Reply 6

soph!e

In preparation for my interview I read 'Politics of the judiciary' which I found interesting and accessible.
I also read a book about medical law- just because I was interested in all the moral issues raised by this area- ( I thought it would be no use in the interview but in fact it proved to be the most useful- I was asked about the issue of 'consent' in my second interview so could draw on ideas/ issues raised in that book!!!)
I also read newspapers religiously- I had done so before but not in such detail and kept up to date with current affairs- this was more useful for the LNAT essay but one of my friends who got accepted at a diff college had a whole interview discussing current affairs particularly the 24hr drinking proposals which were being debated at the time.

Reply 7

Kittten

The Cambridge law faculty prospectus gives a list of books, but I can't remember if that was before starting a degree, or before considering applying to law. Sorry I can't check, maybe someone else has it though?
Also, my work experience suggested a book called 'First Steps in the Law' (can't remember who wrote it though) and 'A very short introduction - Philosophy of Law' (part of the Very Short Intro series). I also have a book called 'The strange Laws of old England' or something like that, which although not very academic, it is very funny, and highlights why / how laws become useless through time.

Reply 8

weet_ABI_x

I didn't read anything, and I didn't get in :p:

Since my Oxford interview I have read a book called "Letters to a Law student", I can't remember who it was by, but I remember there was a hench section on how to apply to Oxford and I wished I'd read it before!

But at the same time, I wouldn't go mental, they didn't ask me ANYTHING about prior reading or ANY previous knowledge in my interview!

Reply 9

Erradhadh

I would say any book that delves into the more conceptual analysis of law would be useful. Factual, textbook like material won't help you as the questions are geared towards empiricism, but towards logical and philosophical ability.

Reply 10

Sachlee

i read a very short introduction to the philosophy of law too,it just deviates from the standard learning the law/letters to a law student(which is easiest of these three)/the law machine.try landmarks in the law by lord denning,its quite an interesting read and if you like human rights stuff,try a helena kennedy book.the kennedy books are the only ones i got to talk about in my interview and it was rly helpful,because i also had to define consent,like soph!e.

Reply 11

shinyhappy

To the OP, if you're thinking of applying to Pembroke (I think you started the Open Day thread?) I did a mock interview with the law tutor there for an access event. Beforehand, I emailed her about whether I should read up on anything before I came, her reply was;

"I wouldn't worry about books. They do all seem to read the most recent
edition of Glanville Williams Learning the Law, and I recommend another book about being a law student by Barnard, Virgo and Sullivan, but to be honest we never ask them anything about these books even though they do put them on their personal statements"

That might not be true for law tutors at all the colleges, but it's worth bearing in mind.

Reply 12

Smithers1989

Hi,

I got an offer at Christ Church to read Law starting this October. To be honest, none of the books are totally requesite as they are looking mostly at how you think rather than what you already know.
Nevertheless, it can't be bad to have done the reading, and is good for confidence. I read many of the mentioned ones - Glanville Williams (good overview of the legal system); Understanding the Law (this is excellent); The Law Machine; and also if you are ok with some heavier reading, A.W.B Simpson: Invitation to Law is good for some historical background and general understanding of the Law. It's quite hard work and a little outdated at times (published 1989 i think) but it's definitely worthwhile if you have the patience for it. Good luck!

Reply 13

elreymago

I'd agree on the importance of reading - i read Glanville Williams before mine, but didn't mention it on my PS, and didn't get asked about it at interview. It might even be risky to read anything highly substantive - you inevitably won't understand it all, and if you do mention it on your PS you could well get asked about it...

The "Letters to a Law Student" is by Nick McBride, and was on my Ox law preliminary reading list for last summer. Can't remember myself how much there was on Oxbridge specifically, but definitely a good read overall, and useful before starting the degree!

Reply 14

lulu_dudette

If anyone is interested in human right read Enemy Combatant by Moazzam Begg. A fantastic book by one of the British citizens held in Guantanomo Bay! Truly a fantastic book with an amazing insight! I practically based my entire personal statement on it!

I think someone mentioned Helena Kennedy already I second that! Esp for girls read Eve was Framed!

Background reading for Law application

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