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Excite me to study LLB Law at Uni Pls!!!

Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic?
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law?
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law?
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix)
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied?
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law?

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x

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Original post by Ali-liyyah
Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic?
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law?
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law?
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix)
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied?
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law?

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x


What uni?
Reply 2
Avatar for Ali-liyyah
Ali-liyyah
OP
15
University of Surrey hopefully, but I just need these things for law in general
My impression of law degrees and law students while I was at uni (not studying law :tongue:) and also on TSR is that the hardest part of the degree seems to be convincing yourself it's actually interesting...
Don’t give us that crap lad. Do you really think all these thousands of law students that start every year have a ‘passion’ for law.
They don’t, and the majority still leave in 3 years with a 2:1
Eve Cornwell does fun videos that over the years have followed her journey to becoming a chartered lawyer. She recently accounted that she's accepted an associate position at one of the magic circle corporations.

As someone who doesn't study law but has always had an interest in it, I've found her passion and enthusiasm for the subject/profession to be revitalising.

Tips for staying organised - put everything in folders and use tabs. Any time a new key term or concept comes up, write it on a flash card and bank these as you move through your degree. It'll save SO much time when it's time to prepare for exams and also helps you categorise the wide scale of knowledge and content you'll learn.
Original post by artful_lounger
My impression of law degrees and law students while I was at uni (not studying law :tongue:) and also on TSR is that the hardest part of the degree seems to be convincing yourself it's actually interesting...

How helpful.
Reply 7
Avatar for Joleee
Joleee
19
legal theory

The Social Contract - Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Leviathan - Thomas Hobbes
A Theory of Justice - John Rawls
Toward A Feminist Theory of the State - Catherine MacKinnon
Law and the Modern Mind - Jerome Frank
The Harm in Hate Speech - Jeremy Waldron
Natural Law & Natural Rights - John Finnis

The Pelican Brief - John Grisham

The Good Wife
The Good Fight
(don't have Netflix tho so not sure if either are available :tongue:)

RBG

R (Jackson) v Attorney General
R v A

the last question worries me cuz if you're not already passionate about law you might find you've taken the wrong degree. studying academic law is nothing (!) like how it looks on tv (nor is practising law for that matter. far from in fact actually, fyi). may i ask what made you choose to study law?
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Ali-liyyah
Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic?
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law?
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law?
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix)
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied?
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law?

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x

Oh this is a great thread for anyone studying law anywhere!

One of my favourite topics was 'Corroboration' as part as an evidence module.
Definitely have a read of 'Eve was framed' by Helena Kennedy
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
Can't recommend a Netflix and most dramas aren't realistic in my humble opinion
Good list here at Legal Cheek for documentaries: https://www.legalcheek.com/2020/09/7-must-watch-netflix-docs-for-law-freshers/?fbclid=IwAR2ilWDlO42YHrv2i-ktNgcFK7Hp7xPQHLvU3s2jvecrd85Fiol4rs8xKo0
Tower Hamlets v Bromley 2015 is interesting- it debates whether a statue is a fixture. It's a simple idea which led to some interesting commentary about 'social good'.
Other ways to develop your passion is to attend online sessions- get signed up to LinkedIn and follow firms or chambers that you are interested in, they will advertise events which you can sign up to. Also check out the events run by your university- I got involved in Mooting and its great fun.

Re workload do it little and often, it you leave large chunks to do in one go, you will quickly drown in it. Planning your time (and sticking to it) will be key if you want a social life and good grades!

Hope you get to love it as much as I do!

Nic
Student Ambassador at University of Law
Original post by Ali-liyyah
Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic? Anything in public law (except the whole ministerial responsibility topic) - for example, rule of law and the role of the courts
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law? Anything 'classic' - e.g. Adam Tomkins: Public law
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law? I don't have any!
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend - No, they're all unrealistic. But as a weird confidence booster, Suits makes me feel important! Not really from a legal standpoint, they're just all so cool and it makes me feel cool.
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix) - I always quite liked any socio-legal ones. Netflix has a bunch
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied? - the Miller cases!
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law? - Relax. Trust me, you'll get overwhelmed and bored doing too much!

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.
Start working from day 1. Don't take breaks unless you need them. I was too kind to myself with taking breaks:biggrin:

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x

I've added some comments in the post above, not sure if it'll work though
I did llb at 46 as I was interested in law.

Fave case was an equity one, to do with tracing stolen things into mixed goods. Normally it’s money but this was a man taking his wives beaver furs and mixing with his own to make a fur coat for his mistress!

Lawyer shows -stuff like this life /north square and some bbc shows called barristers.

I listen to podcast called law in action each week, which is enjoyable. And Marcus cleavers uk law weekly
Original post by Ali-liyyah
Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic?
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law?
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law?
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix)
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied?
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law?

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x

Hi, I hope you are well.

I’m currently in my second year, going into my third year of my law degree in September. My favourite topic had to be criminal law so far. It was so interesting! My favourite non-fiction law books would be the two written by The Secret Barrister; The Law and how it is broken, and Fake Law. They were so well written and was really relevant to English law. I’m going to be honest, I couldn’t pick a favourite fiction book, there are too many good ones. Regarding law programmes, there are several that I have enjoyed but they are all American and unrealistic, so I don’t think they would be much help. I cannot think of a favourite case off of the top of my head, but all the tort law cases were great because they were ridiculous in an almost laughable way.

My advice in keeping organised would be to make sure you do all your pre-reading and notes and pre-seminar work before the lecture and seminar. Make notes during the lecture and add to the notes you already have. I find making the notes on the computer is easier so you can add to it if you miss something. Then print them off for revision purposes afterward. Mind maps are also great for revision.

I hope this helps.

Ilona - Pearson College London Student Ambassador
Original post by Pearson Business School Rep
Hi, I hope you are well.

I’m currently in my second year, going into my third year of my law degree in September. My favourite topic had to be criminal law so far. It was so interesting! My favourite non-fiction law books would be the two written by The Secret Barrister; The Law and how it is broken, and Fake Law. They were so well written and was really relevant to English law. I’m going to be honest, I couldn’t pick a favourite fiction book, there are too many good ones. Regarding law programmes, there are several that I have enjoyed but they are all American and unrealistic, so I don’t think they would be much help. I cannot think of a favourite case off of the top of my head, but all the tort law cases were great because they were ridiculous in an almost laughable way.

My advice in keeping organised would be to make sure you do all your pre-reading and notes and pre-seminar work before the lecture and seminar. Make notes during the lecture and add to the notes you already have. I find making the notes on the computer is easier so you can add to it if you miss something. Then print them off for revision purposes afterward. Mind maps are also great for revision.

I hope this helps.

Ilona - Pearson College London Student Ambassador

Hey. Thanks so much for all your advice. Could you please list some of the fictional books as well as series please? I would love to have a read through them, even if they aren’t directly related to English law x
Tim vicary writes a good series about a criminal barrister in the uk.
Why are you planning to study something you aren't even excited about? :confused:
If you don't like the degree then legal jobs aren't going to be much better. :tea:

Spoiler



In all seriousness, try reading East West Street, The Secret Barrister, Eve was framed.
All legal TV shows I have watched are not representative or close to what I have been learning at uni - so no recommendations there.
My favourite case so far is the Sally Challen case (forgot the official name). Grim but she murders her husband with a hammer as a result of enduring years of abuse. The legal issue was whether the abuse she was succumbed to should excuse her from a murder charge being instead charged for manslaughter (diminished responsibility defence). The legal debate is more interesting when you look into it in detail e.g. what usually amounts to diminished responsibility, thinking about the implications of the precedent the case sets/ can set


Favourite subject so far is probably contract, constitutional or international law. Ngl was surprised that contract can be quite intriguing
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Pearson Business School Rep
Hi, I hope you are well.

I’m currently in my second year, going into my third year of my law degree in September. My favourite topic had to be criminal law so far. It was so interesting! My favourite non-fiction law books would be the two written by The Secret Barrister; The Law and how it is broken, and Fake Law. They were so well written and was really relevant to English law. I’m going to be honest, I couldn’t pick a favourite fiction book, there are too many good ones. Regarding law programmes, there are several that I have enjoyed but they are all American and unrealistic, so I don’t think they would be much help. I cannot think of a favourite case off of the top of my head, but all the tort law cases were great because they were ridiculous in an almost laughable way.

My advice in keeping organised would be to make sure you do all your pre-reading and notes and pre-seminar work before the lecture and seminar. Make notes during the lecture and add to the notes you already have. I find making the notes on the computer is easier so you can add to it if you miss something. Then print them off for revision purposes afterward. Mind maps are also great for revision.

I hope this helps.

Ilona - Pearson College London Student Ambassador

Hey. Thanks so much for all your advice. Could you please list some of the fictional books as well as series please? I would love to have a read through them, even if they aren’t directly related to English law x
Reply 17
Avatar for UKJOIN
UKJOIN
7
Original post by Ali-liyyah
Hey guys. Hope you’re all good. I’m going to be studying law at uni this September, and I just wondered if you guys who have studied it or are currently studying it to boost my excitement for the subject. Please can you answer the following questions, and post general advice as well please please.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic?
• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law?
• What are your favourite fiction books related to law?
• Any Netflix law series you would recommend
• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix)
• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied?
• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law?

Also, this isn’t really related to developing my passion for law, but if you can provide me with some advice about staying organised and how to stay on top of the workload this would be very helpful. Also, how to find a study system that works for you, and what to remember for your first year of a law degree.

Sorry this was quite a long post. Any other pieces of advice would be very useful too, please. Thanks so much for all your help and advice in advance x


You asked many questions, sounds that you are confused, I was in the same situation, and I will make it simple for you. You can excel at a certain course in the university because you are smart, a hard worker, you love challenges, etc ... but when you join the workforce in the job market, you will lose interest, then later you will discover that your academic performance has nothing to do with your natural aptitude in the job market. You are going to invest lots of money and time over 3 years in your formal education, so it is important to invest 1% of this money to conduct an aptitude test with specialists in this field.

Here is my personal experience, I went thru 2 days face-to-face 25 simulation tests with Johnson O’Connor (jocrf.org), in the third day, I received a full verbal and written report with top 3 university courses that fit my natural capabilities and potential interests in the job market. We are influenced by lots of views from peers, family members, forums, .. etc for good intentions of course, but we get more confusion other than guidance, hence; the best way is to consult the right people. There are lots of consultants in the market, read the customers reviews then make a move, trust the science!
Hi OP,

I am a current UEA Law student now going into my second year and I'd love to offer some tips and tricks from what I've learnt so far this past year.

• What would you say was/is your favourite topic? - For me I am really interested in Public Law, especially where there is cross overs into politics, policy and government, and Criminal Law because it is one of the more exciting ones to read about.

• What are your favourite non-fiction books related to law? - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is good if you're into crime, as well as Karen Slaughter books if you're into law enforcement.

• What are your favourite fiction books related to law? - The Secret Barrister touches on a lot of topics that came up in first year for me. Also The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham is always useful.

• Any Netflix law series you would recommend - Suits will get mentioned at some point throughout your degree, not because it is in any way accurate/useful to English Law, but because many law lecturers love pointing out that it is in no way accurate/useful to English Law!

• Any law documentaries you’d recommend (on YouTube or Netflix) - Any documentaries on current affairs issues that have a legal side (think Brexit, Covid regulations, etc) can be useful in seeing the law in action. I also second the person who suggested anything on RBG and anything that Lady Hale has contributed to :smile:

• What’s your favourite case that you’ve studied? - I'd say favourite probably isn't the right word but some that are interesting and are bound to come up are R v Brown [1993], R v R [1991], Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] and R v Wilson [1996].

• Apart from watching documentaries and reading, what other ways can I develop my passion to study law? - Looking into what work law firms are currently doing (most large firms have blog style pages on their websites), staying up to date on commercial issues in the news and work experience of any kind.

In terms of staying organised I think every person does it differently and it will depend on what university you're at as well. Generally, I would say that digital note taking is far more efficient and can be helpful in keeping more physically organised if all your notes are files on a laptop as opposed to on paper. In line with this, as soon as you know what modules you are studying, get some folders set up on your digital devices so that you're more prepared when uni actually starts. Also, highlighters will likely be your best friend.

Hope this helps
Leah (UEA) :smile:
Original post by Catherine1973
I did llb at 46 as I was interested in law.

Fave case was an equity one, to do with tracing stolen things into mixed goods. Normally it’s money but this was a man taking his wives beaver furs and mixing with his own to make a fur coat for his mistress!

Lawyer shows -stuff like this life /north square and some bbc shows called barristers.

I listen to podcast called law in action each week, which is enjoyable. And Marcus cleavers uk law weekly

We all understand that all lawyers are different. And the features of the profession change them.

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