To study law, or to not study law.

Deranged96

Salutations.

Here's the story: CAO deadline looms and my first three choices are Law courses, it's a bit late in the game to get cold feet, but I think that's what I'm having. I'm coming to ye on hands and knees and borrowed time for some sagacious wisdom.

Law- What's the crack? It appeals to me solely because I like language and using language and reading and arguing, I'm the most contrarian person you'll meet in a day's walk. I feel that a law course suits me well, as they're text heavy and require a bit of verbal tenacity.

I think I'd like to go on to study to be a barrister, but here's where the crux lies.

1) I don't want to bankrupt my family with years of meandering study.
2) I read a lot of articles that point to a surplus of law professionals and endemic nepotism (I'm from farming stock far removed from the Pale with zero connections), hence I worry weather it would be a lot of study just leading me to the departures' lounge of an airport..

So, are my concerns founded? Can someone offer me advice on whether to peruse this line of study or not?

Maybe I'm just projecting internal concerns on a virtual messaging board just to order my mind's thoughts.

If I were not to do law, I'd do arts (which I would love).

Thanks for reading, and even more thanks if you reply.

Pro Hoc Vice

It's very tough but in reality any self employment is, the following is to be expected at best 3 years degree, 1 year the inns, 1-2 years devil, then expect 5-10 years of making at best minimum wage in early years borrow from your friends on the dole. But if you put in the 15 plus years and still standing it's a very rewarding job. No matter how many connections for many it comes down to hard work for every well connected guy I know at the bar there are a multiple unconnected doing well. Finally a law degree is a good degree and with the BL gives a certain weight to any CV I know from experience it opens job doors and many firms like to employ such graduates.

johnnyskeleton

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

It's very tough but in reality any self employment is, the following is to be expected at best 3 years degree, 1 year the inns, 1-2 years devil, then expect 5-10 years of making at best minimum wage in early years borrow from your friends on the dole

Maybe a tad pessimistic? I cant imagine that most or even many of the barristers up to 12 ears at the bar are earing ~minimum wage. Accurate information about barrister income is as shrouded in mystery as the third secret of fatima.

MightyMandarin

OP, while the general gist of what was said about a career as a barrister is true, ie it takes many years of studying and hard work to make a good living, don't disregard studying law just because of this. You may think a career as a barrister would suit you, but trust me, after 4 years you'll probably have changed your mind on what to do with your degree.

Becoming a barrister or solicitor is the typical route for graduates, but you can use a law degree for various different careers; a degree is useful to get interviews, but getting jobs ultimately comes down to your personality, work ethic and of course your ability. From what you've said you sound like law would suit you, so don't let (potential) difficulties in a career as a barrister discourage you from that.

MarkAnthony

Echoing above and the various other threads on the subject.

Enjoyable, general, useful degree. Pros Very flexible, Cons useless in of itself (further quals required)

On the legal profession (barristers being my main focus but I've worked for a couple of solicitors); the nepotism element is over hyped. As a law student doing a massive 8 hours of lectures and probably 20 hours of your own study a week you're expected to go out and get work experience, attend conferences and generally get you face out there. If you're not willing to do that then I would steer clear of professional law.

Personally I've never met a more welcoming, helpful bunch of people. How that changes when (or if) I'm ever competing with them in the work place remains to be seen but I've friends who say the issue (on the criminal side of things) is not getting the work now, but getting enough work at different times to make a reasonable living.

Contacts, contact, contacts; they are easily made.

PS on arguing - it's completely different to day to day arguing and not being able to see the contrary view will be a massive hindrance to you. Do as much mooting as you can, work hard at arguing a point you completely disagree with and find ridiculous.

Best of luck, there's worse degrees to be doing while you figure things out.

Pro Hoc Vice

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Maybe a tad pessimistic? I cant imagine that most or even many of the barristers up to 12 ears at the bar are earing ~minimum wage. Accurate information about barrister income is as shrouded in mystery as the third secret of fatima.

To quote what I actually said "-10 years of making at best minimum wage in early years"

The bold bit puts what I said into context. There is no secret with many barristers on this site saying it exactly how it is.

notabasicb

Majority of people who started my year wanting to a barrister are now heading down the solicitor route. Make of that what you will . . . My guess is the dependable pay check.

As for the degree - gives you great analytical skills, probably viewed by employers more favourably than some arts degrees (although that's all it really is) and majority of people doing it are sound.

johnnyskeleton

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

To quote what I actually said "-10 years of making at best minimum wage in early years"

The bold bit puts what I said into context. There is no secret with many barristers on this site saying it exactly how it is.

Sorry I misread you and thought the "in early years" reference was to borrowing from friends and the dole.

But I suppose what I meant about the secrecy surrounding earnings is the lack of objective data. Maybe the bar council should do something about that

Pro Hoc Vice

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Sorry I misread you and thought the "in early years" reference was to borrowing from friends and the dole.

But I suppose what I meant about the secrecy surrounding earnings is the lack of objective data. Maybe the bar council should do something about that

They recently did a survey on earnings I have not heard results yet.

Deranged96

Thanks all for the replies!

The feedback was good to hear and I'm now content with the way my CAO stands

lovelabel

Deranged96 wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies!

The feedback was good to hear and I'm now content with the way my CAO stands

As someone who just graduated with a law degree versus friends who did arts. Do not do arts!! The law degree is a much better base for a variety of careers whereas all of my arts degree friends are doing TEFL in Asia. Even if you change your mind about being a barrister like I did, you still have a relatively solid degree and can get into a number of different careers with one.