Making the decision to study Law is a big one. You want to be sure that you’re making the right choice for your future.
There are many factors to consider when making this decision – will you enjoy it? What kind of jobs can you get with a law degree?
That’s why we offer a taster of what Law is like at the university with our Immerse Education Law summer schools. By the time our students come out of the programme, they’re more confident in their next steps in education.
Here you’ll find out the benefits of a Law degree, and what topics to expect at university. With this information, you can make an educated decision about whether or not studying Law is the right choice for you.
What is the Study of Law?
The “Law” refers to the system of rules that a society or government develops to govern human relationships. From personal and social to economic and political relationships.
Studying Law (a.k.a. Legal Studies) helps you grasp core legal concepts and principles and how best to apply them in specific situations. Thereby helping you understand how best to work with legal claims and transactions on behalf of clients.
What Do You Learn in Law School?
Here are some of the standard core modules in UK Law Schools:
Legal Systems and Methods
Studies how the law works, including how the law is made, interpreted and applied. Here you’ll learn:
- What Law is
- Its importance in society
- How laws are developed
- Role of legal professionals in the justice system
- Relationships among the government, judges, and lawmakers
Introduction to Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the study of Law and the principles on which it is based. It is known as the “philosophy of Law.” Here you’ll discover the origins of Law, types of law, and the common legal theories.
Criminal Law
What is the system of Law that facilitates the punishment of groups or individuals who commit crimes? Criminal Law. It covers a wide range of offences, from minor crimes such as theft or assault to more serious offences such as murder.
Criminal Law discusses the different types of crime and the prescribed punishment for each type. You’ll also look into the rights of accused persons and how the criminal justice system works.
Tort Law
Tort Law is a branch of Civil Law that deals with the wrongful act or omission of one person that injures another. Torts can be intentional, such as battery, or unintentional, such as car accidents.
The purpose of Tort Law is to provide a remedy to the victim, such as
- damages for pain and suffering
- medical expenses
- lost wages
- and property damage
Hence, why Tort Law is considered a form of restorative justice.
Constitutional/Administrative Law
Constitutional Law is the body of Law that governs the relationship between the state and the individual. It sets out the limits of what the state can do and protects the rights of citizens.
Administrative Law is the body of Law that governs the activities of administrative agencies, such as government departments and regulatory bodies. It sets out the rules and procedures that these agencies must follow.
European Union Law (EU Law)
European Union (EU) Law is the body of law that governs the activities of the European Union (EU). It sets out the rules and procedures that EU institutions must follow and regulates the relationships between EU member states.
Contract Law
Contract Law oversees the formation and performance of contracts. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties whereby each party agrees to perform a specific service or provide a particular product.
The purpose of Contract Law is to enforce the contract’s terms and protect the parties’ rights.
Land Law
Land Law governs the ownership, use, and development of land. It covers various topics, such as property rights, easements, and zoning regulations.
It aims to protect the rights of landowners and ensure that land is used in a way that benefits society.
Tax Law
Tax Law is the body of Law that governs the assessment and collection of taxes. It talks about income tax, sales tax, and property tax.
It also serves to raise revenue for the government and to ensure that taxes are collected in a fair and efficient manner.
Equity Law
Equity Law is the body of law that governs the administration of justice in cases where the Law is silent or unclear. It is based on the principles of fairness and natural justice.
It aims to provide a remedy in cases where the Law is inadequate and prevent injustice in cases where it is clear.
Why is Law Interesting?
Law is interesting because you’re working with a set of rules that applies in unique ways depending on the situation in which it is used. So what works in one situation may not work for another.
That’s why it’s one of the most intellectually challenging subjects to tackle. You’ll find Law fascinating if you love solving problems and facing new situations.
What’s more, the Law governs every aspect of human life. Whether you buy popcorn, watch a movie, or drive a car, rules and regulations are involved. That’s why studying Law gives you deeper insights into human behaviour and society.
You can go as far as concluding that Law is the foundation of society. When you study the laws of a specific governing body, you’ll come to understand what principles their people value. And how these principles shape the lives of individuals and society as a whole.
What Are the Benefits of a Law Degree?
Studying for a Law Degree offers you several benefits, but before we get to them, check out a-level requirements for law degrees to take the best combination of subjects for university:
1. You’ll Gain Useful Skills for a Wide Variety of Career Opportunities
A law degree develops a range of transferable skills that are highly sought-after by employers in many different sectors, such as:
- Research and analysis
- Critical reasoning skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Presenting arguments persuasively (both written and verbal)
- Negotiation skills
- Time management
- Project management
- Teamwork and collaboration
Hence, Law graduates have many career opportunities ahead of them, whether Law-related or not.
2. Working in a Legal Career Brings a Sense of Fulfilment
There’s no doubt that working as a lawyer can be challenging. But it can also be gratifying. You’ll be satisfied with using your skills and knowledge to help others and make a positive difference in the world.
Some of the areas in which you can make a difference include:
- Helping people understand their legal rights and responsibilities
- Defending innocent people from unjust rulings
- Representing clients in court or in legal negotiations
- Providing legal advice to individuals, businesses, or government organisations
- Publishing articles or books on legal topics
- Teaching law at the university
3. Law Professions Provide Job Security and Financial Stability
Do you know that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% increase in demand for lawyers from 2021 to 2031? The demand rate is considered faster than average for all professions.
How about in the UK? The State of the UK Legal Market 2022 reports that the demand for legal services among global law firms increased to 8.7% in 2021 compared to 2020.
If compared to 2019, the growth is at 6%.
You can see from these figures that the future of Legal careers looks promising. Now, let’s take a look at the salary.
The average salary of Lawyers in the UK amounts to £68,700 per year. Or £4,030 per month. That’s a staggering +132% more than the national average salary in the UK.
More experienced lawyers enjoy higher annual salaries of £6,040.
So, getting a Law degree makes having a stable job with high salaries more accessible to you.
4. You’re Better Prepared To Protect Yourself and Your Family
Law graduates are in a much better position to protect themselves and their families. This is because they not only understand their legal rights but also know how the Law works and how to navigate the system.
This comes in handy when you need to deal with issues such as:
- Making a will or estate planning
- Buying or selling a property
- Signing a contract
- Car accidents
- Dealing with tax authorities
- Applying for a visa or citizenship
- Divorce and lawsuits
By having a more excellent knowledge of Law, you’re better able to comply with it. And use it in solving personal, familiar, and business-related problems.
What Field of Law is Right For You?
Choosing the right field of Law is essential to having a successful career in the legal profession. There are many different fields of Law, and each has its rules, regulations, and procedures. If you want to learn more about law career prospects then look no further.
You need to make sure that you choose a field you are interested in and have the skills and knowledge to practice in that field.
You don’t have to worry much about choosing the right field of Law at this point in time. Why? Because you’ll eventually come up with a plan as you progress through Law School.
However, you should have an idea as early as now. So you can better decide whether you want to pursue Law at the university.
Here are some fields of Law you can explore:
Corporate Law
What deals with the legalities surrounding corporations and business organisations? Corporate Law. Aspects such as:
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Contracts
- Liability matters
- Business regulations
- Legislative compliance
A corporate lawyer is responsible for helping clients arrange their business affairs in compliance with the Law. Feel free to pop over to our article on why study business law if you’re looking to learn more.
Civil Rights Law
Civil Rights Law protects fundamental human rights. It serves to balance the power between the government and individual persons. This area of Law covers a broad range of topics, including:
- Equal protection under the Law
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of religion
- The right to privacy
- The right to vote
Civil rights lawyers protect their clients’ civil rights by filing lawsuits and working with legislators to change laws that discriminate against certain groups of people.
Animal Law
Animal Law is a relatively new field concerned with the legal rights of animals and their human associates. It deals with issues such as:
- Animal cruelty
- Animal fighting
- Animal research
- Zoning and land use
- Wildlife conservation
Animal lawyers defend animals from exploiters and campaign for animal rights.
Criminal Law
Criminal Law deals with the punishment of people who have committed crimes. It involves:
- Investigating crimes
- Charging people with crimes
- Defending people accused of crimes
- Punishing people convicted of crimes
The integrity and efficiency of a Criminal Lawyer can prevent a guilty person from running free. Or protect an innocent person from unjust imprisonment.
Employment and Labour Law
Employment and Labour Law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It covers a variety of workplace issues, including:
- Wages and hours
- Working conditions
- Safety standards
- Discrimination (race, gender, age, disability, etc.)
- Right to unionise
- Sexual harassment
- Equal pay
An Employment and Labour lawyer represents workers or employers in various legal disputes.
Education Law
Education Law governs the rules and regulations of an education system. The goal? To ensure a safe environment so both teachers and students can thrive.
It deals with policies regarding:
- School funding
- School Safety
- Bullying and harassment
- Special education
- Student loans
- Teacher requirements
- Student rights
Educational attorneys work with educational policies to deal with school-related issues.
Family Law
What does Family Law govern? The legal issues related to families include:
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Child support
- Adoption
- Domestic violence
- Prenuptial agreements
A Family lawyer provides legal assistance to clients going through family-related issues. Lawyers who choose Family Law have tremendous ability to make a direct positive impact in people’s lives.
Health Law
Policies ensure that healthcare providers give lawful health products and services. What regulates these policies? Health Law.
It deals with the legal issues surrounding the healthcare system, including:
- Regulations on the healthcare industry
- Patient rights
- Privacy Rights
- Insurance coverage
- Medical malpractice
- Hospital mergers
- Public health
Thus, a Health lawyer provides legal assistance to clients dealing with issues in the healthcare industry.
Which Field of Law caught your attention the most?
So, there you have it. We’ve outlined a few of the many reasons why studying law is such an enjoyable, fulfilling, and financially rewarding endeavour.
If you’re still on the fence about making law your chosen profession, we hope this article has helped positively sway you.
And if you are already convinced that Law is the right path for you, congratulations! You’ve made an excellent decision, and we can’t wait to see what great things you will achieve as a lawyer.
