2006 3rd prize

Imagining law?

Andrew Poole (City University)

Andrew won the £50 third prize in the 2006 competition.

Law is the gateway to the world of business and politics. I chose to study law as it is crucial to nearly all actions taken in society. It concerns ownership of the home, company takeovers, government policy, theft and most things in between. In any career you choose, the knowledge of the law is essential as it regulates what can and cannot be done. “Exciting stuff”, some might say.

I was expecting my CPE course to be intensive. I mean I was told it was and it is a three year degree squashed into one year. It is not as popular as one would imagine, considering the similar results gained despite the one third of the time needed because there’s a lot to do. This means your social life is reduced and what time you do have is filled with reading or at least with the guilt of not working, magnified by three, as you know you have exams in nine months, not thirty-three. And of course, you get a diploma at the end of it, not a degree.

Right, so what was I expecting? Ambitious types? Head-down, hard-working types? Fun, outgoing types? To be honest, I had no idea what people were like for the first couple of weeks as there was no freshers’ week and everyone hung out in the library, not because they wanted to but because they had to – the seven core subjects hardly let you catch your breath. However, over a pint here and a quick chat there, you begin to realise the diversity of the group. I didn’t expect this. I thought most people would have graduated the year before and have their sights set on a high-earning firm or set. But there are all kinds. Ex-Oxbridge, internationals and professionals all have their interesting stories to tell if you’re willing to listen. Most people have in fact worked for a few years after uni and include journalists, teachers, nurses and bankers. I began to think that law was the right choice, considering the many defections from other professions. However, the one thing that the students have in common is their interest/ambition, yes ambition, for all things law. Obvious, I suppose, if you apply for a postgraduate law course which costs £6,000. Everyone wants to be a lawyer, whether barrister or solicitor, and many are ambitious (or prepared, even fortunate) enough to have training contracts or scholarships from one of the four inns. Having paid for the course encourages you to make it to your lectures, attend the tutorials, not be shy in saying how much work you have done and even glow with pride if you’ve read that non-essential case. You want to be there because you know it will provide a good, fulfilling, well-paid and hopefully enjoyable career. You know because you have done the research and given up that moderately-paid but dull to be on the course. And don’t forget the intellectually stimulating part of the law too – you’ll have to think on your feet, analyse subtle arguments and rely on a huge database of facts. You know that you won’t get bored.

Would I change anything? Well, no, the academic stage of training to be a lawyer is about the research and understanding of legal principles. You can always say you want more hands on experience, but that will come with the vocational bit the year after. You need the foundations to get to grips with the practicalities of law. The system at City works well: every week, we have a two hour lecture for each of the core subjects and we have one hour tutorials for each of the subjects every two weeks. Every subject requires a 2000 word coursework essay. On top of that, mooting experience is provided and we are encouraged to gain some kind of pro bono work. Yes, there is a lot and it’s more work than the usual undergrad degree (as you would expect) but it prepares you for the professional timetable, where you can switch off once you get home and recharge for the next day. Administrative and library resources are real bonuses on this course – they make it much easier to find that missed lecture or case. The web forum also gives you a chance to chat, whether about the law or not, to other students on the course and even the tutors. Any questions too can be aired in weekly tutorial hours or emailed to the relevant person.

If it were possible, more seminars and fewer lectures would be great as what is sometimes hurriedly covered in a lecture can be better understood and discussed more comprehensively in a smaller group situation. Points which you may not feel confident or loud enough to express in lectures, come easier among fewer people. More depth of subjects would consolidate understanding but I would be surprised if this could be possible within the constrained one year time-table.

I would encourage more of a social atmosphere too, which is admittedly, perhaps the job of the student rather the teacher. Owing to the heavy work load, friendships are not made easily, but I’ve found that if you can talk to people doing your course, your absorption of the subject improves dramatically. Sharing and explaining ideas sort out and clarify the law. Once the initial barrier of juggling schedules is overcome, you realise that it is not a chore to build up relationships for the future as everyone has at least two things in common: a degree and a passion for law. And thankfully, there’s diversity. Not everyone wants to be 70 hour a week junkie. Some want to work with firms of more sensible hours but more modest pay, others wish to work for the government and others still aim for further study in law. You’ll be able to find someone who’s had a similar experience to you.

Of course, such social activity is necessary to being a lawyer. If you are amiable and generous with your ideas and time, you will more likely gain the confidence of your clients quicker and build up your reputation more easily. The academic stuff is not what it is all about for law. Face to face skills need to be developed to ensure success. Presentation skills are fundamental too. You learn how to set out, develop and criticise arguments. This is useful for any career, but especially for law where you are paid to explain the present situation of the law, which can be simple as pie or extremely complicated.

Whatever the reason for doing the GDL, it does give you an enormous advantage in understanding how different levels of society interlock and any employer would prize someone who knows the law.

It’s a practical, motivating and fascinating course. “Exciting stuff”, I would say.

Last Modified: 22 July 2010