What About Law?: Studying Law at University - Softcover

Catherine Barnard, Janet O'Sullivan And Graham Virgo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184946085X ISBN 13: 9781849460859

Publisher: Hart Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

Most young people considering studying law, or pursuing a legal career, have very little idea of what learning law involves and how universities teach law to their students. The new edition of this book, which proved very popular when first published in 2007, provides a 'taster' for the study of law; a short, accessible presentation of law as an academic subject, designed to help 17- and 18-year old students and others decide whether law is the right choice for them as a university subject, or, if they have already made the choice, what to expect when they start their law degree. It helps answer the question 'what should I study at university?' and counters the perception that law is a dry, dull subject. "What About Law?" shows how the study of law can be fun, intellectually stimulating, challenging and of direct relevance to students. Using a case study approach, the book introduces prospective law students to the legal system, as well as to legal reasoning, critical thinking and argument. This is a book that should be in the library of every school with a sixth form, every college and every university, and it is one that any student about to embark on the study of law should read before they commence their legal studies. All of the authors have long experience in teaching law at Cambridge and elsewhere and all have also been involved, at various times, in advising prospective law students at open days and admissions conferences. Listed as one of the Six of the best law books that a future law student should read by the Guardian Law Online, 8th August 2012.

About this title

Review:

Reviews of the First Edition 'What About Law?' succeeds where so many legal guidebooks fail. The authors give a measured, succinct tour around key legal issues that is both illuminating for the non-lawyer and refreshingly thought-provoking for those whose undergraduate days are long behind them...By anchoring the book in contemporary cases replete with human interest and a tangible effect on our lives, 'What About Law?' skilfully demystifies the law and ably proves its argument. The law is, indeed, all around us - and this book will whet your appetite to find out how and why. --Alex Wade The Times 22nd January 2008

The enthusiasm of the authors for the academic study of their subject is infectious, and this energetic little book should give those musing about a law degree a better insight into whether to study law at university than any amount of work experience in a lawyer's office, which after all, is not the inevitable outcome of a law degree, any more than it necessitates one. --Cherry James Web Journal of Current Legal Issues

As a 17 year old student who wishes to study Law at University, I have found it particularly difficult to get a clear idea as to what studying Law entails having never studied it previously. However, your recently published book 'What about Law?' stands out as a superb read for any prospective Law student. The writing style is very accessible and areas of which I previously had little or no knowledge such as EU Law, have been brought to life through the excellent writing technique...After reading 'What about Law?', I feel far more aware of what the Law is and what a university Law course is likely to consist of...I am sure that anyone who has the good fortune to pick up and read this book will answer the title question with a resounding 'Yes! --Matthew Cowen, Student at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Elstree July 2008

The enthusiasm of the authors for the academic study of their subject is infectious, and this energetic little book should give those musing about a law degree a better insight into whether to study law at university than any amount of work experience in a lawyer's office, which after all, is not the inevitable outcome of a law degree, any more than it necessitates one. --Cherry James Web Journal of Current Legal Issues

As a 17 year old student who wishes to study Law at University, I have found it particularly difficult to get a clear idea as to what studying Law entails having never studied it previously. However, your recently published book 'What about Law?' stands out as a superb read for any prospective Law student. The writing style is very accessible and areas of which I previously had little or no knowledge such as EU Law, have been brought to life through the excellent writing technique...After reading 'What about Law?', I feel far more aware of what the Law is and what a university Law course is likely to consist of...I am sure that anyone who has the good fortune to pick up and read this book will answer the title question with a resounding 'Yes! --Matthew Cowen, Student at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Elstree July 2008

About the Author:

Catherine Barnard is Reader in European Union Law, Jean Monnet Chair in European Law, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Author of EC Employment Law (OUP, 2006, 3rd edn) and The Substantive Law of the EU: The Four Freedoms (OUP, 2007, 2nd edn). Janet O'Sullivan is Senior Lecturer in Law, Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge, winner of Cambridge University Pilkington teaching prize for excellence in university teaching; associate editor, Tottel's Journal of Professional Negligence; solicitor. Co-author of O'Sullivan and Hilliard, The Law of Contract (OUP, 2006, 2nd edn). Graham Virgo is Professor of English Law, Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge, winner of Cambridge University Pilkington teaching prize for excellence in university teaching; Law faculty access officer; barrister. Author of Principles of the Law of Restitution (OUP, 2006, 2nd edn).

About this edition

• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 184946085X
• ISBN 13: 9781849460859
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Catherine Barnard, Janet O'Sullivan, Graham Virgo