Law at university is a competitive course. To be accepted, you’ll need good grades, a strong personal statement, and you’ll probably need to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject at interview as well. But how you can explore Law to be sure that it’s the right subject, and career, for you?

Here are our ideas…

1. Read Landmarks in the Law

Written by Lord Denning, a divisive figure who’s inescapable for Law students, Landmarks in the Law is a classic for prospective Law students for good reason. As a plus, Denning’s style is highly readable. If it doesn’t grip you, then Law is not for you.

2. Read The Secret Barrister

Providing a more modern approach to the Law, the Secret Barrister – who remains anonymous – is the author of the bestseller Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken, an excoriating attack on the current state of the British justice system. Their blog is also well worth reading.

3. Take Part In A Mock Election (or a real one)

An interest in Law often goes hand in hand with an interest in politics, so consider finding out more about the latter by taking part in an election, even if it’s just a mock election at your school. If you’re under 18, you could consider running for the UK Youth Parliament – and if you’re 18 or over, you could stand in a local election.

4. Get Involved In Debating

If you’re planning to become a barrister, you’ll need to stand up and make your case in court. Debating provides valuable practice, not only at public speaking, but also at thinking analytically under pressure.

5. Go To Court & Observe A Case

Most UK courts are open to the general public to observe the workings of their justice system. So why not go along and see what practising Law looks like in the real world? You might be surprised how different an experience it is from the Hollywood depiction.

6. Read The Federalist Papers

If you’re a fan of Hamilton, you’ll know the importance of these articles and essays in support of the ratification of the nascent United States Constitution, a legal text that has had huge ramifications throughout history to the present day. The Federalist Papers are still consulted in interpreting the US Constitution today.

7. Read Bleak House

Fiction can be educational too, and Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, centred around a long-running legal dispute, is an excellent example. The novel even helped promote calls for much-needed reforms to the legal system.