Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Here, Emma Jones, Senior Lecturer in Law and member of the Open Justice team at The Open University, lists five common mistakes that law students make in their assignments which can easily be avoided.
It may sound obvious, but it is amazing how common this mistake is. Sometimes students are so keen to get on with research and writing they don’t spend long enough to understand what the question is actually asking for. Other times they focus on one aspect or idea and fail to see the bigger picture. This means it is really important to build in time to read the question carefully and analyse what it is looking for.
One approach that can be useful is to identify “process” words (such as “discuss” or “explain” or “evaluate” and also “content” words (the words or phrases identifying the key topics to be looked at). Then spend some time ensuring you know what each of these words or phrases means. Doing this ensures you don’t miss anything.
If you are given additional advice or guidance on the question and/or provided with learning outcomes, research hints or similar, it is important to read these thoroughly too. They will be there to guide you on what to include so it’s vital to make the most of them.
Usually, an assignment will require you to do at least some independent research. Skipping this step will mean your assignment is less detailed and may even feel a bit basic or shallow. A good starting point for research is your lecture and seminar notes. They will usually contain the key points on a topic, and perhaps suggest some other sources to read. If you have a set textbook for your course, you should always read the relevant sections/chapters too, as they will add depth to your writing.
When looking at other sources, it is important to remember that lots of information on the internet only offers a brief summary and is unlikely to be appropriate for legal study. Peer reviewed journal articles tend to be the most reliable source of further information. However, even then you need to check the date and that it is discussing the correct jurisdiction!
As a general rule, you also need to avoid relying too heavily on any one particular source. This can suggest to whoever is marking your work that you haven’t done wider research (or that you haven’t understood how to use it properly). Try to get a balance in the sources you draw on to show you have fully utilised them.
Often students will say they were in a hurry or they were eager to get started, so they moved straight from researching into writing their answer. Doing this means that you are having to focus on getting in the right content and on your format and writing style all at once. This makes it almost impossible to give each element your full attention.
Doing a plan provides you will a useful checklist for your answer. You can include the main topics, key points and arguments and relevant examples. You can also make a note of the format (for example, introduction, main body and conclusion for an essay). That means that when it comes to drafting your answer you can really focus on getting your writing as clear and appropriate as possible, to fully demonstrate your understanding.
Another bonus of making a plan is that you can apportion word count per section and/or topic. This means you can write to the word count, rather than having to edit your work down at the end. Often this can make your work flow better, whereas cut and pasting and deleting words can make your writing feel a bit disjointed.
It is common for a student to say that they understand a topic, but that they are struggling to put what they know into words. It is really important to make your writing as clear as possible to make sure you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding. Using short sentences, constructing appropriate paragraphs and proof reading your work carefully can all help with that.
Being over the word count was mentioned above, but being under the word count can be just as problematic. It can mean you haven’t described something in each detail. Make sure you use the full word count to provide as much depth as possible.
Another important point is referencing. Putting in citations will show your marker that you have used appropriate sources. It will also demonstrate that you understand academic conventions. Most importantly, it will avoid any problems with plagiarism.
Often students will repeat an argument from a textbook or journal article in their work. This can be helpful and relevant, but just because it is given in an academic source doesn’t make it right. It is important to ask questions about it, for example, how reliable is the source? How strong is the argument? What evidence has been given to support it? What are the counter-arguments? Doing this type of critical thinking will enable you to include more of your own reasoned opinion in your work. If you go into the legal profession, you will spend a lot of time developing arguments, so it’s important to get the practice in during your degree.
The mistakes above are common, but they are also ones which can be easily avoided. Reading the feedback from your previous assignments carefully and preparing some form of checklist for assignments drawing on these points, and others raised by your markers, can all help you to demonstrate your abilities as fully as possible in your work.
From wanting to uphold court as a judge to helping people with medical negligence claims, there are all kinds of jobs within the sector. Whatever your dream job is, you’ll be helping so many people from so many walks of life.
Of course, you’ll need a plan of action to get there. Keep reading to find out how to attain a career in law.
The earlier you start planning, the better your chances. GCSEs will be the foundations of everything and will allow you to progress and climb higher on the law ladder. Achieving good grades at GCSE level will show your determination and work ethic, making you more likely to benefit when deciding which next path to go down: A-Levels or an apprenticeship scheme.
With your GCSEs done, you can either progress with you’re A-Levels or seek an apprenticeship programme. This can be a tough decision to make once you’ve received your results – and if you’ve followed our first stage and gained incredible grades, your doors are wide open with opportunity.
If you opt for A-Levels, you’ll need to continue to aim for the top grades. Usually those who study A-Levels progress onto university to advance themselves for their career in law.If you choose this route, there are some top tips that you should know. Some universities prefer that you study traditional subjects at A-Level such as history, languages or literature – studying law at this level is not always a requirement for doing this subject at university but it might put you in a better position than other applicants as you’re already familiar with the subject – so make sure that you meet the university’s requirements.
If you don’t want to pursue A-Levels, you can go for an apprenticeship. This route to a career in law is seemingly becoming more popular among young people. Although there are specific requirements for you to take this path, anyone looking to do an intermediate apprenticeship must have the minimum of five GCSEs (although more may be required depending on the firm) that are graded from A*-C or anything equivalent. The benefit of apprenticeships in this field is that students are able to work in the real environment with qualified professionals, whether this is assisting on cases in administration or meeting with different clients. Intermediate Apprenticeships usually run for two years and will help develop the skills of those who gain their place in the office.
Upon finishing you’re A-Levels, there are a few different routes you can go down. These include university, a paralegal apprenticeship or a solicitor apprenticeship. There is no right option, picking one of the three should be down to the personal preference of the budding law learner.
At university, you can start to narrow down on your specific field of interest. Depending on the preference of the student, to have a career in law, you can either study a law degree or non-law degree – although those who decide to study a non-law degree will face the hurdle of studying the seven foundations of legal practices, a GDL, so when it’s combined with a non-law degree, it’s equivalent to a law degree.
You aren’t limited to just university after your A-Levels. After completing your A-Levels, this 23-30-month course could be the perfect route for you. Although this is a brilliant opportunity as it is, it can then lead you onto training to become a Chartered Legal Executive. To participate in this type of scheme, usually you are required to have the minimum of five GCSEs grading A*-C and three A-Levels that are graded C or above – or the equivalent. You will be able to learn law, legal practice, legal skills, commercial skills and professional conduct by entering this type of apprenticeship. It is also worth knowing that you can do a paralegal apprenticeship after your intermediate apprenticeship if you decide not to go down the A-Level route after completing your GCSE studies.
If you’re itching to get into the working world, this one is for you. A solicitor apprenticeship is a paid six-year course which will enable you to gain on the job training which you will later receive a qualification to become a solicitor and at the end of the fourth year, you will receive a law degree. To be in a chance of winning a place on this sort of scheme, you usually need the minimum of five GCSEs graded A*-C and three A-Levels (graded C or above). Work experience always plays in favour with candidates that apply for this type of apprenticeship. Once this apprenticeship has ended, you are a qualified solicitor, legal executive and paralegal.
Let’s look at the academic route now. Once you’ve completed your law degree (or equivalent with GDL), there are three different routes that you can go down depending on what position you want to have: Barrister, Solicitor or Legal Executive.
This one of a number of routes to becoming a barrister. Although, once you have completed this course, you can proceed to become either a solicitor or a legal executive. To become a barrister, you will then need to complete a ‘pupillage’ which is a one-year apprenticeship before you qualify as a barrister. You will be working with a pupil supervisor. To become a solicitor, after completing your BPTC you will need a training contract, which is basically a two-year paid employment contract with a law firm before gaining your qualification as a solicitor. For those wanting to become a legal executive, you are required to carry out three years of qualifying employment.
The vocational stage for a solicitor is to complete an LPC. This will allow you to become a legal executive, although once you’ve finished your LPC, you will need to carry out three years of qualifying employment.
Did you attain a law degree in the last seven years? If so, CILEx Fast Track offers a graduate diploma as opposed to a Level 3 or 6. This usually takes around nine months to do at a part-time rate. Once you’ve finished this, you will then need to complete three years of qualifying employment and you will be qualified as a chartered legal executive lawyer.
It’s over to you to decide. Which path will you be travelling down to become one of the top lawyers in the country? Remember that all of your grades count – so make the most of your education and you will have a career in law in no time.
Source: https://www.lawcareers.net/Courses/LegalCareerPaths
Here Becky Kells, editor of AllAboutLaw, an advice, features and jobs platform for aspiring lawyers, explains why commercial awareness is key.
Far from being a box-ticking exercise, commercial awareness is a way of thinking: you’ll use it not just to get a vacation scheme or training contract, but throughout your law career.
Simply defined, commercial awareness means staying up-to-date on daily happenings and developments in the commercial world in which many of their clients are operating. A lot of students conflate reading the news with being commercially aware, but there are some further steps to take beyond just memorising articles. As you read, you’ll need to think about value; consider how businesses function internally; understand how businesses interact with, compete with and coexist alongside each other; and figure out how external factors affect businesses. Not every article you read will address all of these points, but whether you’re reading a three-line news update or a 1,500 word long-form analysis, these are the concepts you should be on the lookout for.
Commercial awareness is an important trait at every stage of your career, from the training contract right the way up to partner level. You’ll be qualified to give legal advice, but your client is not a legal expert. You’ll need to take your own expertise and match it up with their expertise. This means you’ll need to have a strong understanding of what your client does: how they’re looking to add value, how their business works, who their competitors are, and what external factors they’re grappling with. “Innovation isn’t necessarily the first word which springs to mind when people think of lawyers, but so many working in the legal profession regularly have to think creatively when dealing with legal or business problems for their clients”, says Matthew Kay, director of Vario from Pinsent Masons.
It’s also important to be commercially aware because a law firm is, in itself, a business. Grasping the intricacies of your future place of employment will enable you to add value, make money, and ultimately progress within the firm. “Since joining [my] firm I’ve developed a much more commercial mind—I think about client's problems in the context of their businesses and industries, rather than as an academic issue”, says Amma Boakye, an associate at Hogan Lovells. “Clients expect us to be technically excellent—but they value lawyers who can provide commercially relevant solutions and help them to remain successful.”
The multifaceted nature of the media should show you that commercial awareness can’t be gleaned from memorising a finance article word-for-word to regurgitate at interview. You’ll need to absorb the fluctuations of business and the market over a long period of time, supplementing your academic knowledge with your commercial findings. Which means you need to start now, to prove that you’ve been tracking issues over a period of time.
Sadly, commercial awareness questions aren’t always going to be as easy as “in what way are you commercially aware?”. Some commercial awareness questions will be very specific, asking you the difference between a merger and an acquisition, or to define what private equity means. Other times, you’ll be presented with a case study and invited to analyse it from a commercial perspective. Some application forms won’t even use the words “commercial awareness”, they will expect you to demonstrate it in your answer to questions like “why have you chosen to apply to this firm?”
Whatever kind of question you’re working with, it’s important to look at the context. Think about how value is generated, what external factors are at play, and any competitors involved. The better your commercial awareness, the more you’ll start to unconsciously show it, in what you choose to speak about at interview, and the examples you refer to in application forms.
Here to explain mindfulness and how it can help you study law are Emma Jones, Senior Lecturer in Law and member of the Open Justice team at The Open University and Chris Lomas who teaches mindfulness courses developed from Taoist and Buddhist practices for the MediPsych Institute.
It may seem a world away from studying law, but in fact mindfulness techniques can provide a valuable way in which to enhance your studies.
Mindfulness has lots of different definitions, but for the purpose of this article we are talking about the ability to consciously experience the present moment. In other words, not to be worrying about the past or the future but simply to be focused on the present and your existing physical, mental and emotional states.
There are many methods to help develop a state of mindfulness, including meditation and other contemplative practices. One example of this is “body scanning”, where you focus on each part of your body in turn, from your toes right up to your head, being aware of each separate bit of your anatomy developing a more complete picture of the true state of the body. These types of activities are sometimes known as “contemplative practices” and there is a really useful summary of there (in the form of a “tree of contemplative practices”) here.
There are a number of benefits, not all of which have been fully researched yet. However, there is strong evidence that regularly practising mindfulness activities can help to improve concentration and reduce stress. There have been some interesting studies done with lawyers, particularly in the United States, which suggest that that engaging in mindfulness practices can also improve performance at work. Being focused on the present and having a strong awareness of your reactions and feelings within situations can help you to understand and regulate your responses in a healthy and appropriate manner.
For law students, the benefits could include being able to focus more clearly on your work when reading, writing and revising. It may also help to handle difficult deadlines and projects in a calm, productive manner, such as when juggling several assignments at once. There are specific situations, such appearing in a moot and sitting an examination, which also call for a significant awareness of your environment and your responses to it. Being able to avoid nerves getting the better of you and “thinking the worst” could really be helpful in these situations.
The key is to make time to fit mindfulness into your study routines. This doesn’t need to involve hours of chanting and mediation, it could just be a two minute pause at the start of each study session before you crack open the books or fire up the lap top. Decide how long you can spend and stick to it, otherwise you might find yourself becoming distracted or feeling bored or disheartened. You can even set a timer to keep you on track. Set small attainable targets, then you can always choose to do more if you want.
Start your mindfulness pause by checking the environment around you – are you warm enough, comfortable, free from distractions? Have you had enough to eat and drink? Are you tired or refreshed? These are really useful questions to ask yourself anyway, to check that you are looking after yourself so that you can study as effectively and healthily as possible. Take the time to feel how your body responds to the questions, bring your awareness fully to each.
If you already do an activity such as yoga or pilates, you may well find you can draw on aspects of this and incorporate them into your study routine. For example, you could spend two minutes practising some positions, or just focusing on your breathing, before you start studying. If you are a complete beginner, there are plenty of free online resources and phone apps you can take a look at, to see which suits you best. Looking up activities such as the “body scanning” exercise mentioned above will provide you with lots of examples to choose from. The type of exercise you chose matter less than your engagement with it. Having that sense of being in the present moment is what makes it a contemplative practice, whether it be simply sitting or engaging in a complex series of postures.
When you’re starting to get into a routine with your mindfulness activities, think about other times you can incorporate it into your study schedule. For example, if you know you tend to lose concentration after around 30 minutes of revision then that might be a good time to add in another pause to refocus yourself. Even if this is simply to recheck whether your body is comfortable or needs anything (aching shoulders? Sore eyes?). If you usually feel panicky before going into an examination then perhaps you can find somewhere quiet to sit and spend a few moments doing an activity to calm your thoughts and help you concentrate. Even simply focusing on your breathing and allowing it to relax and slow down can have a profound effect.
Studying law is exciting and rewarding, but it can also be stressful and demanding at times. Mindfulness can be a helpful tool to assist you in your studies and ensure you are looking after your wellbeing. Making mindfulness a part of your study routine may help your legal studies progress, while incorporating mindfulness into your daily life may help you to enjoy the journey more.
Here, Francine Ryan, lecturer in law and member of the Open Justice Centre at The Open University, delves into five quick tips for making the most of today’s social media tools in your legal study days.
According to The Guardian the ‘18 to 25 age group is the most active demographic on social media’. Using social networks in a meaningful way to engage and connect while avoiding any major mishaps needs careful consideration. Here are 5 top tips to help you successfully use social media platforms:
Social media networks provide a valuable opportunity to connect directly with law firms. Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook allow you to find out what is happening within a law firm and the wider legal market. Don’t be afraid to engage through sharing, liking and replying to posts- but remember to think carefully about language and frequency of comments- make sure you are selective and choose your words carefully to create the best impression. Use these platforms for research to inform your job applications and, before a job interview, find out as much as you can about the firm and the interview panel.
Blogging is an effective way of displaying your writing skills and knowledge of the law. It shows you are confident using technology and is a platform to showcase your knowledge, skills and expertise. The Open University encourages its law students to write for the Open Justice blog as a way of highlighting to potential employers the experiences and skills gained through participating in Open Justice.
Many recruiters search candidates’ online profiles, it is important to ensure your online presence represents the ‘best’ version of you and doesn’t jeopardize your employment prospects. Inappropriate comments, compromising photographs or over exaggerating experience should be avoided. Comments and content made online are preserved for posterity and sharable with a global audience. Keep your personal and professional accounts separate and ensure you have the correct privacy settings to enable you to control and restrict access to your information. But remember whenever you are engaging in social media think before your post! ‘What goes online, stays online’!
Social media allows you to share your experiences and interact easily with other legal professionals but it’s essential to remember your professional obligations. The SRA code has strict rules about client care and confidentiality. If, for example, you disclose information about a case you have worked on in a law clinic you will breach client confidentiality. Personal integrity is central to the practice of law, you need to be aware of how any comments you make may impact on your professional standing. Commenting negatively on other lawyers or on the profession may breach Principle 6 as it may affect public trust and confidence in the legal profession.
You should be aware of the laws that govern social media. If in a tweet or a post you make a false statement that causes ‘serious harm’ to a person’s reputation it may be libellous under the Defamation Act 2013. If you use photographs or videos without the permission of the author you could be in breach of copyright laws. Knowing the law on social media is both personally and professionally beneficial. Legal professionals regularly deal with digital and social media issues showcasing at an interview your knowledge of social media law is a great opportunity to impress a prospective employer.
Social media platforms provide a great opportunity to connect and network with the legal community however it’s important to remember engaging in these channels is not without risk. Understanding those risks will help you successfully post, tweet and comment to get the rewards offered. ‘Google’ yourself today and see what the internet says about you!
Fresh Student Living have looked into the ten most employable degrees and the sectors they fall into.
In 2017, 14 million graduates entered the job market. These are the degrees most likely to land them a job in 2018.
| Degree/Course | Rate of Employability |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 99% of all medicine and dentistry students land a job within six months of leaving uni. |
| Veterinary Science | This degree holds its own in the employment stakes with 98% of graduates finding work within six months after graduating. |
| Subjects Allied to Medicine | These degrees are not only some of the most popular, but also have an employability rate of 95% within six months of graduating. |
| Architecture, Building & Planning | When it comes to graduate prospects, 90% of students find employment within six months of graduating. |
| Education | 90% of all teaching graduates land a job within six months of graduating as there is always a need for teachers. |
| Engineering | Another sought-after degree, graduates can look forward to employment rates of 85% within six months of graduating. |
| Computer Science | A computer science degree means a broad and diverse job market, including programming, virtual reality and even AI. Huge demand for these roles results in a success rate of 80% within six months of graduating. |
| Mathematical Sciences | Maths graduates are highly employable, especially in the IT or finance sectors. Graduates with this degree can enjoy an employability rate of 79%. |
| Business and Administrative Studies | 75% of graduates with this versatile degree are in full-time employment within six months of graduation. |
| Law | Students with law degrees are quickly snapped up with an employment rate of 74% within six months of graduation. |
According to research, female students are more likely to select medical-related subjects while male students prefer business degrees. The most popular undergraduate degree among female students in the UK in 2016/17 were those allied to medicine, while the most popular subjects for male students were business and administrative studies. Conversely, the least popular degree for both male and female students was veterinary science.
Whilst having a degree gives a boost to career success, these are the jobs that are likely to earn you the most money after graduating:
Female graduates: Male graduates:
There are plenty of graduate schemes offered across a wide range of career paths, affording students with lots of options when it comes to choosing an employer.
Graduate schemes combine working and training and are offered mostly by large employers. Many of the most prolific companies offer graduate schemes, including:
Marketing, Media, Mobile and Hospitality – BBC, Virgin Media, Sky
Finance – Barclays, HSBC, and the Lloyds Banking Group
Retail – Boots, Next, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis
IT and Telecommunications – Google, Microsoft, BT and EE
More companies are using social media to screen potential employees as well as connect with them.
According to studies, 70% of employers use social media to screen job candidates before hiring. This is up from 60% in 2016 and 11% in 2006. It is a good idea for students to consider their ‘personal brand’ and how it may influence their career and employment prospects.
In addition to this, 50% of candidates use social media to research companies, while another 48% of candidates actually used social media to search for their most recent job.
A good tip is to check social media as many employers take to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to share helpful and informal advice with candidates about all stages of the selection process.
(Source: Fresh Student Living)
With the legal industry often being criticized for not adapting to evolving modern practices, Zia speaks about how Pakistan could easily be left behind, and how its younger, inspiring lawyers, are often at a disadvantage, due to solo practices and a lack of integration throughout the country.
What challenges did you overcome in order to specialize in the legal industry, on an international scale? Any nuggets of advice to inspiring lawyers?
The foremost challenge for lawyers in Pakistan is the lack of proper opportunity for legal education and professional training. New entrants in the profession are usually not adequately equipped to handle complexities and niceties of the law. Solo practice is still a common mode of doing legal practice here. There are only a few law firms. They may not engage and train with all the lawyers. Many young lawyers lack the opportunity of refining their understanding of the law and legal skills. Thus, they fail to handle important legal matters. This deprives them in many ways in the profession.
However, I preferred working with a Lex Mundi Member law firm in the beginning years of my law practice. It helped me to learn from the experience of senior partners. With this background, I started appreciating the value of teamwork and the new trends of doing legal business. To supplement my law firm experience, I thought to improve my theoretical understanding of the law. In this regard, I conducted research on Constitutional Law at SOAS, University of London, and attended specialized courses at The Hague Academy of International Law. This blend of theory and practice, in fact, has helped me a lot. I have learned how to practice law at the international level. I have also learned to think and write in an appropriate manner enabling me to publish in newspapers and international law journals. My suggestion, particularly to young lawyers, is to remain open to new ways of learning, thinking and practising law. Professional honesty, constant improvement, and hardworking are key to success in the legal profession.
The Pakistani legal system has to respond to global trends in law, business, and dispute resolution. Otherwise, it would hit the country and the legal profession adversely.
Why did you choose to specialize in international law? What is it about this specialism that interests you the most?
Over the years, I have realised that legal practice and principles are not only local. In fact, they are universal. In an increasingly globalised world, domestic legal regimes frequently interact with and are influenced by international law conventions and instruments. For instance, international criminal law, international economic law, international human rights, and environmental law have a huge impact on local legal systems. In today's world, no lawyer and judge can afford to ignore relevance and implications of international law while advising and deciding upon a pertinent legal matter. Personally, I find international arbitration quite interesting. This is relevant to my experience of handling court cases. Pakistan is facing difficulties in international arbitrations. I hope my work would help my country in handling international law disputes more effectively.
Moreover, are there any changes you are advocating for, regarding international law in Pakistan? What challenges are you expected to foresee here?
Yes. My law firm supports a non-governmental organisation named International Law Foundation. ILF aims to promote awareness and compliance of international law in Pakistan and beyond. It intends to help the publication of Pakistan Year Book of International Law. Unfortunately, local lawyers generally lack training and exposure to international law. In fact, they do not get enough opportunity to observe and learn from the proceedings of international law tribunals and courts, as these institutions are not based in Pakistan. Further, in the absence of high-ranking international law research institution, lawyers may not have access to the latest materials. Thus, ILF is looking for opportunities to help young lawyers in Pakistan, in the field of international law and practice.
Prominent Legal Issues in Pakistan:
To ensure justice is served fully, what changes do you think need to be made in Pakistan's legal system?
I consider the following changes in our justice system are necessary for the effective delivery of justice: First, continuous legal education and training should be provided to lawyers. Only those should be allowed to continue law practice who meet specified standards. Second, the superior court judges should be appointed in an open and transparent manner. The Constitution may be amended to make this process competitive and inclusive. Judges should also be effectively accountable in the judicial hierarchy and also to the public through publication of performance of the judiciary. Anonymous data should be made available to researchers and judicial policy makers, to recommend changes in an informed and institutionalized manner. Third, legal services should be insured. At present, litigants do not have any effective remedy and compensation mechanism for professional negligence cases. Lack of professional accountability of lawyers, has contributed in the deterioration of legal professional in Pakistan. Finally, laws and court procedures should be upgraded through revision of law and integration of technology. This would help to deliver inexpensive and expeditious justice to the people.
Moreover, how has the Pakistani legal sector evolved in regards to becoming more progressive, in terms of embracing technology and movements towards becoming a more modern space for those in law and business?
The legal profession in Pakistan, in fact, requires a massive transformation in this regard. The lawyers need to move beyond the traditional business model (i.e. solo practice) and build law firm collaborations to improve the quality, impact, reach and scope of their legal services. New technologies i.e., digital technology, artificial intelligence, legal analytics need to be used in the legal sector. The court procedures may be modified allowing on-line dispute resolution and e- filing of court documents etc. The Pakistani legal system has to respond to global trends in law, business, and dispute resolution. Otherwise, it would hit the country and the legal profession adversely.
It has been reported, and you have also previously spoken about how Pakistan is facing a legal education crisis; what do you think should be done to ensure the Pakistani legal system continues to flourish in generations to come?
The legal education system in Pakistan is facing many challenges. Recently, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has attempted to make some reforms in legal education. For example, SC has prescribed an admission test for law school admissions and regulations regarding the faculty and infrastructure of law schools. These recommendations are appreciated; however, they are not satisfactory by international legal education standards. There should be a high quality test for entry to law schools and the bar; teaching and examination should engage law students/lawyers in sound analysis and legal reasoning skills; continuous legal education and annual audit of lawyers/law firms should be mandatory; and, the regulatory regime for lawyers and judges should be refined and strictly implemented. The performance and proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council (for the accountability of judges) and Bar Councils (for the accountability of lawyers) may be made public to strengthen our justice system.
Zia Ullah Ranjah is Managing Partner of the Firm. He has more than fifteen years of experience in law practice and law teaching at prominent institutions in Pakistan. He has an interest in constitutional law, corporate law, and international law. He supervises litigious and non-litigious work of the Firm. He is also responsible for business development and professional collaborations.
As you progress through your legal studies, you need to develop your reflective skills to enable you to understand your learning style, learn from your mistakes and work out how to improve in future. If you go on to life in the legal profession, you will also be expected to be a reflective practitioner. In fact, for solicitors and barristers in England and Wales that’s what their Continuing Professional Development requirements are based on! This article explains what reflection is and how you can use it in your legal studies
What is reflection?
Some people (such as Donald Schön) divide reflection into two types – reflection in action and reflection on action. Reflection-in-action is something that happens while you are engaged in a task. For example, if you are taking part in a seminar, realise you aren’t properly prepared, and decide to make a note of the articles other students are referring to for reading later. Reflection-on-action is something that takes place after the event. For example, when you get home after the seminar you might start to think about why you weren’t properly prepared and decide to start to plan your time to fit in a trip to the library before the next session. You might find you do reflection in action automatically, as issues arise, but reflection on action can be harder to master.
Why does reflection matter in legal studies?
If you just jump from one task to the next without pausing to think, the likelihood is you will keep making the same mistakes. You might be able to think on your feet and get through problems as they arise, but you won’t really have learnt from the situation. Reflection on action is the step you need to take to make sure you can change your behaviour in future and achieve better results. In the seminar example above, changing your study plans to build in more library time could help you to establish a more effective way of study that helps you to do your work more effectively and contribute better in sessions. It could even help you to understand that you are the sort of person who tends to leave things to the last minute (a very common trait) and to think of ways to combat that.
How do I make sure I am being a reflective student?
Build time into your daily routine to pause and think about how things have gone. For example, you could take 5 minutes before you go to bed each night, or perhaps plan in 30 minutes each Friday afternoon to think back over the week. Some people find it really helpful to keep a reflective journal, writing down their thoughts on different experiences and issues that have arisen. Even if you don’t fancy writing a lot, noting down a few bullet points and lists can be a really useful reminder to look back on in future. You can ask yourself questions such as:
It can also be really helpful to speak to people around you – maybe a friend, family member or even a tutor, and get their thoughts on the situation. They can help you look at things from a different perspective, or simply get your own thoughts in order.
Everyone has the ability to reflect, but in reality it can be hard to keep it up. This is particularly the case when things get very busy, deadlines are looming and time is short. In fact, these are the times when you need reflection more than ever, to help you think about how you are dealing with the challenges you are facing. Get into a good routine and keep persevering and it will provide you with valuable insights into your study journey.
Below Emma Jones, senior lecturer in law and member of the Open Justice team at the Open University, talks to Lawyer Monthly about the various ways you can bets plan your legal studies and get ahead of your fellow students.
One of the key differences between success and failure in legal studies is the way students organise their studies and manage their time. Getting into good habits will make for a much smoother study experience and prepare you well for life in the legal profession. Here are five top tips to managing your legal studies effectively:
Whether you keep it in your pocket and scribble in it, or note everything using an app on your smart phone, it is really important to note down key deadlines. This can include dates and times of lectures and seminars, meetings with fellow students and dates for submitting assignments. Make sure you set a reminder for at least one week in advance too, so that you can complete any necessary preparation.
If you’ve got your own room, make sure you have a desk and chair to use. If you’re in shared (or very noisy) accommodation, you might find it better to use the university library or a quiet corner in the Law School. If you are going to be studying away from home regularly, make sure you have a bag or backpack with everything in it you need to work – books, highlighters, laptop charger, etc.
Spend some time thinking about your schedule and deciding which times you will set aside for study. Make sure you are being realistic – if you are going to be out every Saturday night, then deciding to set aside Sunday mornings to write assignments probably isn’t going to work! Think about the times of day you work best and try to concentrate your study in those. Often, studying in shorter chunks with quick breaks in between is the most effective way to learn. Plan in some flexibility for those weeks when other commitments arise and try to give yourself more time than you think you’re going to need. Make sure you build in time for hobbies, seeing friends and relaxing too.
If you’ve met a deadline, or finished a piece of reading, don’t forget to build in rewards. These can be anything from a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit to a new purchase or a big night out! Having an incentive you are working towards can really help motivate you and focus your mind.
If you are writing notes (and you definitely should be) make sure you are keeping them in notebooks or files that are clearly labelled and stored somewhere safe. Investing in post-its, index cards and sticky labels can all help you to keep track of key points. When storing information on your computer or laptop you also need to ensure you create files which are clearly named and easy to access. If you have different versions of the same document, it is really important to save these under different names (for example “draft 1”, “draft 2” and “final version”).
The best laid plans will go awry on occasion. When that happens, make sure you keep your tutors, course convenors or other appropriate people updated so that they can help you. A good idea is to try and develop a strategy for how you will catch up/get back on track and explain this to them, so that it’s clear you are trying your best to sort out the problem. When you have resolved things, make sure you spend some time reflecting on what went wrong and how you handled it, to see if there is anything you can learn for next time. Remember, you often learn more from your mistakes than your success.
Below Francine Ryan, lecturer in law and member of the Open Justice Centre at The Open University, talks Lawyer monthly through some of the key tech skills you should get your head around.
Technology is shaping the practice of law and changing how legal services are being delivered. Lawyers entering practice today require an understanding of the relationship between law and technology. So law students need to work to develop relevant skills and competencies to market themselves to law firms, being able to demonstrate technological acumen is an increasingly valuable addition to the portfolio of skills that will help your application stand out.
Law students need to work to develop relevant skills and competencies to market themselves to law firms.
To build your technology skills set, start with the basics- you should be able to demonstrate proficiency in common office software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat and Connect. Mastering these functions provides a foundation from which to build on. Law school is a great opportunity to familiarise and practice using technology tools to give you confidence to engage with new forms of technology.
Here are some functions to practise now:
In practice, you will draft a variety of different documents including letters, agreements, contracts and court forms, being confident in advanced find and replace, review tools, track changes and formatting in Microsoft Word is essential. You may be collaborating with colleagues through Practice Management Systems, Office 365 and Google Drive, knowing how to use those tools is critical for future success. Find an opportunity to work with a student colleague to create and edit a document, spreadsheet or presentation using Google Docs.
Understanding how to create an effective presentation or poster in Microsoft PowerPoint and or Prezi is important, you might be involved in a client presentation or a training event. There are lots of tutorials on YouTube which will help you refine your skills.
You may be called upon to build a database or create a project plan, learning about the features and functionality of Microsoft Excel will make you more confident imputing and working with data.
Most law students will be very familiar with email and text but there are other tools that facilitate team communication like Slack, Bitrix24, Yammer, Skype, Quip and Trello Students need to be confident using online communication tools to effectively collaborate with colleagues.
Law students don’t need to have an in depth knowledge of every technology application but an important skill is the ability to think critically about the use of technology and how it will impact on clients.
Once you have mastered basic tech skills consider whether you want more advanced tech skills such as the ability to program/code. If you are interested a good place to start is Future Learn or edX both offer free courses in programming, coding, and data analysis. Understanding how digital technologies work and developing literacy in code helps to stand out in a crowded market place. If you not quite ready to develop your computational skills having an awareness of how legal technology is impacting on law is something that is achievable.
Law students don’t need to have an in depth knowledge of every technology application but an important skill is the ability to think critically about the use of technology and how it will impact on clients. Not every law student needs to know how to code but they do need to have a basic understanding of technology to communicate and work with the coder so they can identify the legal issues relating to its use.
AI is computer technology that aims to replicate intelligent human behaviour or to perform specific tasks that require human intelligence. AI is being used in law firms to review documents for discovery, legal research using automated searches of case law and legislation, contract and document analysis, proof reading and correcting documents. AI platforms are powering a range of virtual assistants such as Kim and Kira follow the links to understand how they work and how they are changing legal practice.
Blockchain is used in crypto-currencies you may be familiar with Bitcoin but Blockchain has enormous potential beyond a financial use, which is only starting to be realised. Smart contracts are an area in which blockchain networks can be used to automatically facilitate, execute and enforce the negotiation or performance of an agreement. A smart contract has been described as a computer programme that acts as an agreement- the terms are pre-programmed and it has the ability to self-execute and enforce. Have a look at Nxt which is an advanced blockchain platform.
Law firms will expect students to have basic tech skills, but in today’s fast moving legal landscape keeping up to date with how technology is changing legal practice is also essential. Law school is a great opportunity to refine your skills and gain some new ones- think about participating in a legal hackathon to get a real flavour of what the future holds!
