Reading within and around your subject, widely and in depth, is one of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for a future in Law. So, we’ve put together a list of essential books to include on your reading list as a prospective or current Law student.
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Why Reading is Crucial for Aspiring Lawyers
Reading is crucial for any aspiring lawyer. It’s the best way to enhance your legal and general knowledge, and prepare you for a career in law.
Reading is a great tool for fostering the critical thinking, analytical skills and deep understanding of legal principles that will help you thrive in the legal field, both academically and in your future career.
What to Look for in a Law Book
However, not all law books are created equal! In preparation for your legal studies, you’ll want to tailor your reading and choose books strategically. Consider the following factors when making your selection in order to get the most out of your supra-curricular reading.
I. Relevance to legal field
Firstly, ensure your material is relevant to the legal field. Sometimes, the legal themes of a book can be subtle and indirect, found in fiction as well as non-fiction. Books that cover foundational legal concepts, case studies and contemporary legal issues are just as relevant as those that discuss broad topics, such as the idea of fairness.
II. Accessibility and clarity
Next, stick to books that are accessible and clear. This is a common issue in the legal field; overly wordy and ‘high-brow’ material often does more harm than good to legal students. You’ll get a lot more out of a book that’s easy to digest, yet covers complex concepts in depth – substance over form!
Reading this type of material should also help shape your own writing style as a future Law student. Clear, concise writing is essential when drawing together a legal essay, and is the best route to effective learning.
III. Diversity of topics
Finally, explore a diverse range of legal topics by trying out different genres of books. Don’t just stick to the classic titles you may have heard of – be bold with your reading choices! This will help you gain a broad understanding of law, and in turn, you may discover your own niche interests in various specialisations and practice areas.