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How to prepare for a law course

  • 23-07-2016 1:14pm
    #1
    Gryffindor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 133 ✭✭


    Hi there,

    I'm a prospective law student who's trying to prepare for first year. I'm switching course so I really want to give this year my all and have a good grasp of the basics before I start.

    I'm really just looking for some advice and tips about how exactly I should prepare? I found a really good blog (lawinireland) but I can't find so many of the cases it mentions. Silly question but is there any database (fee paying or free) where I can find them other than the bailii website?

    Also any general tips for the seemingly impossible task of achieving firsts in first year?

    Thanks a mil!


Comments

  • #2
    Pat Mustard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,554 ✭✭✭Pat Mustard


    If you get the reading lists for relevant subjects, you could do it that way.

    These may be available online or you may have to contact the law faculty in the relevant university.

    Or you could get a Nutshells book for whatever subjects. Alternatively, perhaps you know someone who has studied law where you intend to study. That person may have a set of notes that you could read.


  • #3
    PaulieBoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 534 ✭✭✭PaulieBoy


    You could get hold of a copy of Byrne and McCutcheon on the Irish Legal System as a good introduction to how the law works in Ireland. Otherwise I'd leave it till course starts and then get recommended books.


  • #4
    4ensic15
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭4ensic15


    Gryffindor wrote: »
    Hi there,

    I'm a prospective law student who's trying to prepare for first year. I'm switching course so I really want to give this year my all and have a good grasp of the basics before I start.

    I'm really just looking for some advice and tips about how exactly I should prepare? I found a really good blog (lawinireland) but I can't find so many of the cases it mentions. Silly question but is there any database (fee paying or free) where I can find them other than the bailii website?

    Also any general tips for the seemingly impossible task of achieving firsts in first year?

    Thanks a mil!
    www.justis.com and westlaw.ie are two sites with plenty of Irish cases. There is also lexis nexis. Brian doolan produced a book "Principles in Irish law" which is a good start.


  • #5
    MarkAnthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    My advice for what it's worth...

    In first year, knuckle down make some friends and try everything - get along to the mooting and debating, go to any social functions, go to every additional lecture. If there is anything like a law society, FLAC etc. get involved. You won't need to do much prep, just be prepared to keep up with the reading.

    Pair back your extracurricular in year two to just what you're enjoying. You may find additional activities become available in year two such as FLAC, lecturers projects etc. Keeping up with the study will still be fairly easy, you might want to do some prep over the summer between years 1 and 2. You'll have a feel for it by then.

    Year three pair back again but start looking for a regular internship every Friday is a good option. You may have wanted to compliment this by doing an internship in the summer between years 2 and 3 you can. Study/Finances allowing. Be prepared for a summer internship after year 3 though. Keep up with the reading and be prepared to actually try and get ahead this year and do as much independent research as you can. Normally the classification of your degree is heavily weighted on this year.

    Best of luck with it!


  • #6
    Giacomo McGubbin
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 677 ✭✭✭Giacomo McGubbin


    learn to live on minimum wage for years if you are lucky enough to find a job, while spending your every day with undesirable people, and only the worst side of humanity, dealing with greed, corruption, family disputes, and violence and abuse to others.


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  • #7
    MarkAnthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    Giacomo McGubbin wrote: »
    learn to live on minimum wage for years if you are lucky enough to find a job, while spending your every day with undesirable people, and only the worst side of humanity, dealing with greed, corruption, family disputes, and violence and abuse to others.

    That might be overstating it a bit, there are plenty of careers that branch out of a law degree that don't involve practice.


  • #8
    Manach
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,768 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manach


    The law course might lead to a job in that practice or else act as a stepping stone to other careers where the legal soft skills are of use, such as project management. While not directly relevant the following two books might be of use:
    The Paperchase: slightly dated novel but still an interesting perspective of year one in academia.
    Tomorrow's Lawyers: An Introduction To Your Future by Richard Susskind : which provides interesting projections where the profession is heading.


  • #9
    Gryffindor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 133 ✭✭Gryffindor


    Thank you all so much for your responses! I've already arranged to get a copy of Byrne and McCutcheon and a book on Constitutional law. The justis.com website has been of tremendous help, however, I can't seem to find out what the cost will be when my free trial expires.

    I've already completed one year in a different course in the same university, so settling in/ making friends won't be a problem. Also, there are several societies which run debating competitions as well as a fairly prestigious law soc itself.

    What I'm really wondering is what exactly makes a truly exceptional student? What, if anything, can I do to become of the very few students that secure internships after first and second year or get the grades in the second year scholarship examinations?


  • #10
    MarkAnthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    Gryffindor wrote: »
    What I'm really wondering is what exactly makes a truly exceptional student? What, if anything, can I do to become of the very few students that secure internships after first and second year or get the grades in the second year scholarship examinations?

    Getting involved. That's it. You'll find 80% of your classmates don't and that's fine they'll do just grand but if you want to be exceptional find something you're passionate about and go with it. Exceptional isn't all about the grades either or indeed spending silly amounts of time studying - depending on how you learn you may find doing something practical is of greater benefit. I got firsts in criminal law/evidence purely as I was spending time on the practical side.

    Don't get obsessed with the Top 5, if you're passionate about money then fair enough, but law probably isn't the best choice in that case. Internships are very easy to get as are 'mini-pupillages'. Irish lawyers are incredibly generous with their time and if you turn up to a solicitor's office looking like you're not a complete waste of space you'll find that most will find something for you to do. Your institution will, of course, help you with this.


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