Law in Trinity

Thirdfox

Hello everyone,

I'm about to start the law course this October and I was wondering is there anyone else who starting this course?

Any comments about the lecturers from current students?

And what's this I hear about the Irish requirement? How good does your Irish have to be?

NineMoons

I left in 2002 so not the most up-to-date info but still...
First year subjects are

Legal Systems and Methods, sort of an intro to law course which tries to make you think about things in a different way. It was taught by Neville Cox when I was there - he seems like a bit of a dickhead but he's basically a sound guy. Think they have a better legal writing course now than I got which should be helpful. Try to learn how to structure your exam answers from first year on - it will stand to you later.

Criminal Law - taught by Ivana Bacik in my day. Great course, case-heavy but very interesting, even if it is all a bit introductory since first years aren't expected to know much heading in.

Torts - taught by William Binchy - not coherent but is the guy who wrote the book on Irish tort law so obviously knows his stuff. This one can get confusing and you can really flounder if you don't work at it until right before the exams. Neville taught the defamation section when I did it - it was great!

Constitutional Law - this can be tough and as its usually taught by one of the most brilliant legal minds in Ireland (tm), Gerry Hogan, you might feel a bit lost. But he doesn't expect all that much of you, really. And Con Law can make you feel great about becoming a lawyer - the constitution being used to make life better, to get rid of laws that are unfair and unjust, and to protect people when nothing else can do it... It's a bit like Superman.

The Irish requirement I assume you're talking about is the Inns requirement - not something you need to worry about for a few years. But it might be as well not to wave bye-bye to Irish completely in the interim - if you were any good at it for the LC, try to hang onto that. I think a lot of people fail the Bar exams Irish part but it's repeatable. And a lot of people probably fail because they never did Irish (like Northerners or Englanders). So don't worry too much.

Also, be very glad you're in first year in TCD because from what I've heard, first year in UCD is a lot tougher - an extra subject and a lot more work from the word go. You have an extra year in which to get your head together and that really helps. Also, you have the tutor system so if you start to feel like you're drowning, hopefully your tutor will help out. But do go to your lectures and seminars because they're not only good places to learn but it's where you meet people (apart from the Library!). And it makes you look good if you you end up in trouble later.

EdgarAllenPoo

The Law Society irish seems quite handy, it's only something like a three minute oral and some translations, not bad. A lot of places offer extra irish to cover the Society irish course.

Thirdfox where are you studying? I relaise this is a trinity forum but some people often post in the wrong place either that or you're like me and are a man without a forum(no private college pages).

Johnee

I think Cox is doing most of Torts this year.

Shadowlands

I'm going into first year law, thanks for info!

sapphire01

Hey im guna b in 1st year law in trinity 2, so scared, not so much about da course but goin 2 uni itself aagghhh!jst tryn not 2 think abt it til sunday wen i have 2 move down der help!!!

Thirdfox

Thanks for all the information guys! What societies have you joined? Just met my tutor, she seems quite nice (although a bit direct/intimidating...)

GDM: Yep, I do go to Trinity... it's great fun (well from what I've seen so far...)

Ever wonder why the universities are relegated to "Education" in the "Soc" tab bar? Surely we deserve more recognition than that?

Special thanks to NineMoons for that detailed review of law in Trinity.

Thirdfox

So... the lectures has started. What does everyone think?