You've already been told, correctly, that there are no specific requirements to study law or become a lawyer (solicitor or barrister). Essay based subjects are useful simply because they allow you to develop relevant skills that will help you when you come to study law at university. But the most important thing is that you choose subjects that you enjoy and stand the best chance of getting good grades in. The grades are by far and away the most important thing here. If you enjoy essay based subjects like History or English Literature and think you can do well in them, that's great. Take one or two of them, but probably not more because that's a lot of work you're taking on. But if you don't like them, don't force yourself into taking them. Take what you are interested in and will do well in.