how to study law

[jayney 12]

i a presently involved with a legal case (helping my son out) and i have found the whole thing fascinating and would love to learn more,my husband suggested that i consider doing a law degree and i would love to but as we live out in the sticks i am unable to attend university due to poor travel links is there any way i could do a degree fro home that would be recognised in british law also i am 45 years young would this be a barrier too. thanks for answers in advance.

[Fay Mousse]

There is no age barrier to studying law - what are your long term plans? Is it for your own interest and satisfaction?

I studied for the LLB (bachelor of laws) years ago - and some of it IS fascinating. Most of it isn't.

The Open University provides a range of law related studies, mostly done at home:

http://tinyurl.com/3zvet9

[happyjo]

Hi Jayney

I also got involved with law by chance, and like you I decided to embark on a degree. I enrolled on a 6 week access to higher education course in May 2005, and commenced my LLB Law degree in September 2005.

I am nearing the end of my last year, in fact I have 2 exams next week and then I am done.

The whole experience has been absolutely brilliant. I have loved every part of it ( with exception to EU law, which is really dull)

I am one of 4 mature students on our course and we all have the advantage of life skills and experiences, thus we are all on for either 1st's or high 2:1's.

I urge you to do some research into distant providers. I know OU is excellent, as is Northumbria Uni...

Age.... is a consideration, but it depends on where yuou want to take your degree. I started my degree at 36, now 39 and by the time I complete the Legal Practice Course ( 1 yr Professional qual that is compulsary to become a solicitor) I will be 40 and a half.

The legal world is highly competative, with big firms often preferring young graduates that they can mold .

I have spent 3 years packing my CV with legal voluntary work, experience and such like, in the hope it makes me more attractive. Also, we have an advantage... sadly, some firms do not like to recruit younger mature women students - ie 26-35, as they worry they will go off on maternity leave as soon as they commence employment. Women of our age have had their babies and know how to balance work and life.

Sorry I have rambled, but I am passionate about this area...

I graduate on 18th July and cant wait. My hubby and three young daughters will be there to cheer me on

Good luck...

If you require any other info... I would love to try to help!!!!!!!

Jo x

[Barmaid]

Jayney, any which way you can, go for it. I did it part time (law degree and then bar finals) - toughest 6 years of my life, but well worth it. I understand the OU now does a qualifying law degree. Although I take on board what happyjo has said about young entrants, my entrance to the bar was almost easy. I applied for two pupillages and got both (a first and then second six). The bar does take the view that those with some "life experience" have so much to offer. I would guess that 70% of the entrants to my chambers in the last 5 years are mature entrants.

The only reservations I have about an OU course is that you lack the peer support to drag you through the really tough times. As a part time student, I derived immense support from two fellow students (in our bar finals, we actually did shift sleeping!). You may find that lacking with an OU degree. Are there no local cities that do it part time in the evening that you could attend? That's how I did mine. Good luck.

[DONNNAKEBAB]

Easements were my favourite.

lol !

[Barmaid]

Donna, and I thought I was sad, getting off on wills, trusts and probate!!!!!!!! You have restored my self respect.

[happyjo]

I actually liked tracing!!!!

Loved equity and trusts.. all those squabbling relatives!!!

[jayney 12]

ha ha thanks everyone you have all been a great help, i guess if i work into y 70s i may have a decent shot at it, i fully intend to go for it not only because of recent events but because most of my life i have had people asking for my help in one way or another and through using the internet and reading up i usually manage to help people out one way or another, it would be nice just to be able to do it legitimately so its certainly not about the earning potential its just about wanting to do something that means something, oh god now i do sound all sacrimonious dont i ha ha never mind i'm sure you all know what i mean, anyway thanks again all xx

[happyjo]

Jayney..

Looking a what the very knowlegable Barmaid said, it is also worthwhile thinking whether you want a career at the bar or in a solicitors firm. I would have loved to become a barrister, but I was put off by one of my tutors who said that it was a tough road, full of self employed pit-falls. I now know differently and coming top in my year so far, and getting a good ranking in the OUP Mooting comp, I am kicking myself.

Make sure you investigate all your options.!!!!

Jo xx

[happyjo]

Go for it... Try to get yourself on a course where you get face to face tutoring at least once every couple of weeks!!

Good Luck

J xx

[tubeway]

Go for it - I passed my LLB through distance learning with Nottingham Trent University - I got a 2.1 and was 41 when I sat my final year. Favoutite subjects were Criminal Law and Consti (Constitutional and Administrative Law), worst was European Law. Worst part of the course was going on holiday and taking "Street on Tort" with me as my holiday reading - but apart from that I enjoyed the course and gained a great deal from it.

[Gmcd01]

Oooh happyjo, the OUP moot! Brings back memories, what year was this? I may have been competing!

[Stu Dent]

The OU is an option but most law schools are increasingly embracing web technology making law far more accessible to mature students (or those who are younger and can't afford to move away from home nearer to their local campus).

My university have an intranet where students can watch and download lectures online or listen to them as an MP3 file. Lecture notes and overheads are also available, as are course handbooks, reading lists, articles etc. Students are also given passwords for online resources such as Westlaw. It's tremendous...and will only get better!!

I think age (and social class) is a barrier from a career point of view (and probably will be for me too), but not a barrier to gaining entry to a university. But law offers such a variety of career choices outwith working for a 'top' commercial firm in the city - a place I never envisaged myself anyway.

The biggest disadvantage by being prohibited to study on campus more frequently is lack of reading material. There is no substitute for having access to a wide range of books. You can buy lots of books, but by heck, the books are expensive.

I finished my LL.B. degree last year and I've applied to go on to the next stage after a year out to get things organised to finance it. It's already cost me a huge amount of money and I made lots of sacrifices, but it's probably the best thing I've done with my life. Go for it!

[Barmaid]

Noknowledge - are you sure you are not my ex mother in law?! She told me exactly that and to stick at what I was good at and that I would never make it as a lawyer! God rest her soul.