10 Relentless Things You Will Learn Only In A Law School
Before one makes a decision to join a law school one should be aware of 10 things you will learn only in a law school. What is the law? Law is the set of rules that regulate the conduct of any organization and is backed by sanctions. Law is one of the specialized branches of governance. Studying law… Read More »
Before one makes a decision to join a law school one should be aware of 10 things you will learn only in a law school. What is the law? Law is the set of rules that regulate the conduct of any organization and is backed by sanctions. Law is one of the specialized branches of governance. Studying law would then mean to have firsthand knowledge of the way any organization is governed.
However, one can raise contradictions to the above statement by mentioning that any person who is associated with a particular organization for a long time would know how the organization runs. Then why does one need specialized universities dedicated to the impartation of legal education? The answer is quite simple. As opposed to general thinking, law school does not teach one only about the field of law but a plethora of other qualities that make a person more confident, smart and charismatic. Apart from proficiency in legal education, here are 10 things one can only learn at law school.
10 Things You Will Learn Only In A Law School
1. Past, Present And Future Of All Areas Of Legal Study
In a law university, one can expect to learn all the different branches of law and its allied subjects. This includes teaching a range of subjects ranging from the philosophy of law (Jurisprudence) to Criminal law, Civil law, International law, cyber law, Law of Medicine, amongst others. . Unlike the other branches of study where the emphasis is put upon a particular subject of law, specialization in law in any university covers an in-depth study of all avenues of law.
For example, a computer engineer may be taught Cyber Laws, a CA may have knowledge about Corporate Law but an Advocate has knowledge of all the forms of law. The courses in law school are distributed through various years of study in a way that the students have an overall knowledge of the legal structure of the country. In addition to the laws prevalent in the country, the law students need to have knowledge of the laws in foreign countries as well. In a law school, a student has to read through all types of legal literature like Bare Acts, commentaries, cases, scholarly articles, etc. A law student has to compare and combine different types of law.
Furthermore, the law is a dynamic subject which means that its approach continuously changes. This requires law students to be resilient and aware about the changes that are occurring while remaining open to it. . Law school teaches one to always be curious and abreast about the changing dimensions of both the subject and practice. Going to law school is fundamental because that alone can help one build a base on which one has to build their professional career.
2. Analytical and Critical Thinking
Law school teaches one to analyze the various laws in a critical manner. This skill facilitates the expertise in finding loopholes in the law and enhances one’s ability of legal interpretation which is one of the most essential qualities that a lawyer needs to imbibe.
This is because a lawyer’s work is not only restricted to learning the procedural and substantive aspects of the law but to find out the exact clause or article of the Act which will be applicable in a given case.
It is only at law school that one learns how to think like a lawyer. It increases one’s reasoning power. Law school teaches one not to accept the rules imposed on, but to question those rules and reason out the flaws that may be inherent in the rules while applying them. The questions in a law school exam are designed in a way to test a student’s problem-solving skills and augment them as it requires an intensive application of legal theory to the facts of a case. It is only in law school that we get first-hand exposure of the practical aspects of law which we will further utilize throughout our career.
3. Mooting
Moot court is a model court fashioned in a way to resemble that of real courtroom experience. Here the hypothetical problem is given and the students have to find out the solution to that problem by application of legal principals and legal reasoning.
Mooting is taught only in law schools. Mooting increases the research and communications skills of the students. It helps one understand the importance of team spirit and enhances their interpersonal skills and ability to convey their thoughts in a group discussion, thereby increasing the cognitive ability of the law student.
Participation in international moot court competitions gives provides valuable exposure to the students who go on to help them in their professional life. Furthermore, it enhances the understanding of specific branches of law as students often gain a rigorous exposure in a particular field of law while practising their mooting skills.
4. Drafting
The art of drafting legal documents is taught only at law school. Drafting is a skill that increases with experience. There is a particular procedure in which the legal documents have to be filed and drafted in a legal proceeding, the manner of which is detailed e found in the procedural laws.
The process of drafting requires one to know the exact pattern to prepare the draft. The style of drafting is different for different cases. The law students are specifically taught how to draft for various cases. In addition to drafting, the law students are also taught the exact official language to be used while making the drafts.
5. Learning Cases
Cases form an important part of the academic curriculum of a law school. With a wide range of subject areas, there are a large number of cases that are to be learned by law students. There are various ways in which law is formed and evolves. . Precedents or case-laws are one of the methods by which law develops and hence the study of case-law is integral to both the study and practice of law. The research work invested in the cases is ultimately used to expand the scope of the law. Thus, it is essential for law students to learn cases especially the ones decided by the apex court of the country.
There are specialized reporters published at regular intervals in which contain the cases decided by the competent courts. A law student is required to read these reporters regularly and also prepare a synopsis of various law journals. This way a law student always sharpens her memory by constant reading of the contemporary legal cases.
6. Dignified Argumentation
It seems like an oxymoron but it is the reality in the case of law school. In law school, one learns how to argue in a diplomatic and dignified manner. Through the moot courts, internships and the regular training sessions that one goes through in law school the students are taught how to argue one’s case in a subtle, witty and smart manner because in a courtroom blatant argumentation and raising of voices will not give a good impression to the judges. Law school teaches one to argue with zest but at the same time maintain a dignified stance that exhibits respect towards \members of the legal fraternity so that judges in a legal proceeding are receptive to your views.
7. Making Law and Framing Legislation
The plethora of legal literature that one studies in law school help one gain an insight into the intricacies of framing laws. As one studies the concepts and principles of different forms of law and understands how to apply the same to a dynamically shifting society, one gains the necessary wisdom on how to correlate the two in a manner that is appropriate to draft legislation suitable to regulate society. Framing laws require an understanding of the legal language and expertise in legal language happens only when one had gained enough exposure to the study of law
Moreover, law students understand the possible contradictions that can come up in legislation. This enables them to draft flawless laws. The understanding of the structure of society also enhances their leadership skills. It is not a coincidence that most of the eminent leaders of the world are law students from recognized law universities.
8. Negotiating and meditation techniques
Negotiation and mediation are emerging fields of law. These are part of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). There are various techniques for negotiation and mediation. The law universities often hold Mediation and Negotiation competitions which help law students inculcate a deep understanding of mediation, negotiation and alternative dispute resolution techniques. Furthermore, Law school teaches its students the guidelines of the procedure to be followed in negotiation and mediation.
9. The Process In Which The Administration Works- Practical Aspect Of Law
The three organs of the Government – the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary have one thing in common-law. One learns how the three organs of the government function and the process in which the governments function. The procedural aspect of any legal issue is best known by law students because they are taught the procedural laws in addition to the legal theories or the substantive aspect of law.
10. Leadership Skills
Once the law students understand the way society works, they become intolerant towards the vices of society. They then take steps to transform and improve the conditions of society and take initiatives to create a change. Law school teaches one to challenge the laws that are already prevalent and which appear to have some anomalies by inculcating into them a habit of not accepting anything blindly. Further, they realize that the laws that govern the society are man-made and therefore flawed. Thus, it is law students who through their study are motivated to change the laws to bring about a more just society.
The law students are more attuned to and sensitive to relevant social issues. Their confident attitude combined with a desire to bring about an equitable society makes them empathetic and one-of-a-kind leaders who go on to make strides in society. makes them one of the kind and leaders in their separate paths.
Apart from all the above, law school teaches one to be patient, respectful and self-confident. In the competitive environment of a law school, one is seasoned and resilient against all forms of competition. The law school also teaches one how to conduct oneself with chivalry. Furthermore, law school teaches one to make intelligent judgments and smart choices. Law school teaches us not to get swayed by emotions and be neutral and tactful about the choices.
Law school prepares one not just for a career in law but indeed in any other profession that one may intend to venture into after completion of their legal education. indeed prepares one to shine in any profession that one chooses after completion of the law.