LLB (Law) Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The legal system, in the UK and throughout the world, is the key reason order is kept within society. Laws protect citizens from harm, and those who break them are punished, so without law society would not be sustainable. I always wanted to be someone who made the world a better place, then a few years ago someone I knew took a man to court for not paying her for some work she did for him. I thought that there was no way he could get away with that, yet he nearly did. The crucial significance of the law dawned on me, and I knew then that I wanted to be part of a team dedicated to bringing justice to those who deserve it and criminalising those who offend.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

For my A-Levels, I chose to take History, English and Geography, all of which have improved the skills necessary to prepare myself for a Law degree. English has helped me to develop my arguments and refine my ideas, while taking part in numerous debates has built up my public speaking skills. I thoroughly enjoy debating, and especially when school debates allow me to argue in favour of one or the other side of the question, whether I agree or not. In History, we have been allowed to choose any topic we want for our coursework. I chose the Indian Rebellion, and I greatly enjoyed doing all of the in-depth research myself, and developing vital research skills. My main interest in Geography has been useful in the demographics of the UK, providing me with invaluable context. Furthermore, all three subjects have developed, in different ways, my essay-writing, and my ability to frame a clear argument. In addition to this, in my geography coursework, I have had to assess Environmental laws when looking into the reasons for the changing shape of the Coastline around Northern Somerset, taking into consideration the Flood and Water Management Act of 2010, and the Coasts Protection Act of 1949. Similarly, in History we studied in detail the reformation of the French Legal system under Louis XII in the 16th Century and the implications it had on the French people; Also in my History Coursework I have gained an insight into the laws the Indian people had to abide by as part of the British Empire.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Earlier this year, I went to an NCW conference where I met Catherine Hinwood, Deputy Director of Family and Criminal Justice Policy at the UK Ministry of Justice. I was invited to shadow her for a day, and I gained valuable insights into the revolutionary work she and her team do. I was especially inspired by the new system that allows victims of sexual and domestic abuse to attend court in a separate room to their offenders. In the past many of these cases have been dropped as the victim does not want to face the perpetrator again. The new approach means more justice is brought to those who need it, and more offenders are prosecuted. I currently work in a Café, which has helped me to build up my people-skills. In addition to this, I love dancing, riding, reading, and solving riddles to keep my mind active. I also teach the Junior School creative writing students. I feel that I am a very well-rounded person, easy to work with, and that I have many of the necessary skills for this course. I am passionate about Law and I have recently read Legal Skills by Dr Emily Finch, Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas McBride and The Law Machine by Dyer and Marcel, all of which have helped to give me a deeper understanding of the way law works in the UK.