career in law?

legal-eagle

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on pursuing a career in law. As I am 23yo I am a bit weary of going to college for the first time and I hope by posting here I could get a better understanding of what I am taking on.

Basically I would love to study criminal law (although not exclusively) and it particular do this course as a starting point http://www.dit.ie/DIT/study/parttime2007/programmes/dt535.html. To be honest my main goal still isn't clear in my mind, I would love to become a solicitor one day but I know thats a bit of a stretch at the moment. Basically I would like honest opinions on the following concerns that I have:

1) Is the above mentioned course of much value as an initial step?

2) Is there any way I could focus solely on the categorys of law I prefer to study (criminal, tort, company law for example) and skip categorys that I do not have as much interest in (family, planning law)?

3) Is there any up/down sides that I might not have thought of when considering studying law Part-time?

All serious advice / suggestions appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Regards
Declan

mountainyman

legal-eagle wrote:

1) Is the above mentioned course of much value as an initial step?

2) Is there any way I could focus solely on the categorys of law I prefer to study (criminal, tort, company law for example) and skip categorys that I do not have as much interest in (family, planning law)?

3) Is there any up/down sides that I might not have thought of when considering studying law Part-time?

1) NO
2) NO but family and planning are not required to enter the Law Society law school.
3) Fairly vague the up side you can decid if you like and see that it is easy and not many people have brains to burn. Down side cost and work

cycleoin

I agree with Mountainyman:

1) No - Your best bet is the LLB in Portobello or Griffith
2) depending on whether you are considering the Kings Inns (barrister route) or FE1's (Solicitor route) there are core subjects you MUST study and pass. Usually in your final year there will be electives you can pursue.
3) Obvious upside is that you can get your first foot on the ladder by working in a law firm during the day. This will (a) Provide you with the ESSENTIAL contacts to crack into the profession and (b) colleagues are usually very quick to help you with any queries you have.

Downside is that is very time consuming if you want to do academically well and WILL ruin any social life you have for the next three years.

I hope you do it if you really want to, it is tough but if you get through it you will be very happy!

skyhighflyer

legal-eagle wrote:

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on pursuing a career in law. As I am 23yo I am a bit weary of going to college for the first time and I hope by posting here I could get a better understanding of what I am taking on.

Basically I would love to study criminal law (although not exclusively) and it particular do this course as a starting point http://www.dit.ie/DIT/study/parttime2007/programmes/dt535.html. To be honest my main goal still isn't clear in my mind, I would love to become a solicitor one day but I know thats a bit of a stretch at the moment. Basically I would like honest opinions on the following concerns that I have:

1) Is the above mentioned course of much value as an initial step?

2) Is there any way I could focus solely on the categorys of law I prefer to study (criminal, tort, company law for example) and skip categorys that I do not have as much interest in (family, planning law)?

3) Is there any up/down sides that I might not have thought of when considering studying law Part-time?

All serious advice / suggestions appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Regards
Declan

1) Not as far as being a solictor goes, but it could be a good idea to get a sample of what the law is like without taking the plunge straight into a degree course.

2)Well family and planning law aren't required for either of the professional bodies exams (Inns or Blackhall), but equally boring stuff such as equity and jurisprudence are. But if you're interested in a career as a solicitor, you're going to have to take the boring with the interesting.

3)The upsides to studying law part-time:

- I know a guy (mature student) who had a full time job, made about 30% of his lectures at best and still sailed through the degree course at UCD with a 2:1, and also managed to be out for most student nights

-You only have about 10 hours a week tops and as long as you can get the notes from the lectures you miss (hope you have lots of cash to buy pints for the younger students:cool: ) and make your tutorials as much as you can you should be fine. Also most of the lecturers in the bigger universities will have their notes / reading lists online.

Downsides:

-It will still require a hell of a lot of work to get the high 2.1 that you really should be aiming for to make yourself as employable as possible after grad.

-You will have to study a lot of boring stuff if you want a good degree (for example, are bananas a fruit or a vegetable under the relevant provisions of the EC treaty -WTF )

-Law books are fcuking extortionately expensive.

But don't let any of that put you off if you really want to do it. I know at least five mature students in law who are delighted with their decisions.

The very best of luck.