Answers about Law (2 Viewers)

[mr EaZy]

i think u can only combine law with standard arts.

so what ur saying is that if i cant do a desirable law degree, do a standard arts degree (which is easier than Arts (adv) ) ??

 

[1000words]

i think u can only combine law with standard arts.

so what ur saying is that if i cant do a desirable law degree, do a standard arts degree (which is easier than Arts (adv) ) ??

That's what I believe. It's not that the subjects are necessarily easier, it's that you will be competing against people (in the advance course) with a higher year 12 result. Does that make sense?

 

[mr EaZy]

yeah, Thanks DAVID!

 

[cranberries]

Hi David!

I'm currently trying to decide between Commerce/Law at UNSW and Business/Law at UTS- in your opinion, which degree is more desirable to future employers? Right now I'm basing my descision on personal preference, but it's a bit hard because both UNSW and UTS have their pros and cons!

Another question I have is: How come you can study modern languages as a comajor with a plain commerce degree at UNSW and not with commerce/law?

Oh, and last question: I actually never really considered law before I got my HSC results and would like to know generally what the course is like. I don't really want to be a lawyer, but just want the law degree to broaden my options when I enter the commerce workforce

What are the classes like? Do they concentrate on the actual practical lawyer situtations ( eg, going to trial, defending a case) or more on the theory?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wizard]

Thanks for all your advice everyone.
This is a great thread for those with questions about law.
Do you have those links Mr Eazy? They sound like they may be useful.
I'm also wondering about the money on offer from Syd and UNSW. We have recieved no information about these.
I've also ordered "Laying Down the Law" - some holiday reading for my daughter! Thanks for that one David. I was a little concerned though because the Dymocks site had it as published in 2001. Is that recent enough?
Thanks

 

[clancy04]

Actually, I too am very curious about what the law classes are like. Can you please tell a prospective law student anything of relevance regarding the general structure, (ie lecturer talking to 500 students, followed by small tutorials) and also things like group presentations and mooting. What do they involve, difficulty, stress, research level.

I have been looking at the compulsory law courses for both USyd and UNSW, and would like to know a little more about the 'Advanced Legal Research' subject offered by both universities. What does it involve? I presume a hefty research task...any details?

To Cranberries: have you written off USyd as an option for Comm/Law....why not do Full-fee using the new FEE-HELP scheme. This allows you to defer ALL tuition fees, up to a max of $50,000 - a little more than two years of combined law. And at the end of those two years you have the option of transfering to HECS com/law. Thats what I am probably going to do. By the way, and I am certain you know this, you would need a distinction average to transfer.

And thanks David for 'Laying Down the Law' - thats exactly what I was looking for!

To wizard: I am pretty sure david is right - those $5000 scholarships last for the full course...ie $25000 for her Arts/Law deg. Good for her!

 

[Lainee]

I have been looking at the compulsory law courses for both USyd and UNSW, and would like to know a little more about the 'Advanced Legal Research' subject offered by both universities. What does it involve? I presume a hefty research task...any details?

From what I've heard, the subject is mostly concerntrated on how to access legal information - library research.

 

[Suvat]

Usyd and unsw both use small group teaching, that is, about 4 hrs per week (2 x 2hrs) you sit in a regular classroom (not lecture hall) and engage in meaningful discussion with your instructor about the nail biting subject that is law...

Additionally, the usyd foundations of law course (first law course everyone does) has an optional 1 hr lecture each week where some guest speaker (professors from other unis, politicians, judges, some tribunal guy) comes to talk about their area of law (or maybe spread propaganda).

"Laying down the law" is actually a set text for the usyd foundations course, but it is kinda useless, most of the work in foundations involves reading the thick 2 volume compulsory reading package assembled by the faculty

 

[1000words]

I've also ordered "Laying Down the Law" - some holiday reading for my daughter! Thanks for that one David.

Uh oh, I hope your daughter doesn't hate me for it! It is a prescribed text book, after all

The publication date of 2001 is fine as the foundations of the law are here to stay for quite some time.

Best of luck!

 

[1000words]

Hi Cranberries!

I'm currently trying to decide between Commerce/Law at UNSW and Business/Law at UTS- in your opinion, which degree is more desirable to future employers? Right now I'm basing my descision on personal preference, but it's a bit hard because both UNSW and UTS have their pros and cons!

I am may be idealistic by suggesting that you go with your personal preference based on interest. This is because you would ideally like to base your employment opportunities based on what you find interesting! For example, I chose a science combination because I was interested in science and whilst other year 12 people cannot comprehend the opportunities available, this comes to light once you're in year 12. Having a specialised/different degree opens up a niche employment market.

You are choosing a course which you think you would enjoy the most (if that doesn't eventuate as hoped, then you can change) and you will do better and benefit more from it. Remember that you are doing law, and if you're keen in pursuing a law degree, it's the law aspect of your degree that matters most.

Another question I have is: How come you can study modern languages as a comajor with a plain commerce degree at UNSW and not with commerce/law?

This is most likely because you can study languages as subjects and have it credited as elective subjects to your commerce degree. In a combined degree, the subjects credit to each other (I hope that makes sense). The flexibility to choose electives is significantly less when you choose a combined degree (that's not a negative thing because you are effectively choosing electives which gives you a separate degree).

Oh, and last question: I actually never really considered law before I got my HSC results and would like to know generally what the course is like. I don't really want to be a lawyer, but just want the law degree to broaden my options when I enter the commerce workforce

Yes, I think that is a valid reason for wanting to enter into the law degree. I am not sure whether it will broaden your options once entering the commerce work force (i.e. positions may not require a law degree to apply) but it will stand out more so than others when applying for jobs.

What are the classes like? Do they concentrate on the actual practical lawyer situtations ( eg, going to trial, defending a case) or more on the theory?

A mix of both, I believe. There is a push towards having more practical classes but the theoretical aspects probably need to stay and this alone takes up quite some time! You add practical aspects of law into your profile by taking part in the extracurricular activities in the law school, such as competitions in mooting, client negotiation, and witness interviewing.

I hope that helps!

 

[1000words]

"Laying down the law" is actually a set text for the usyd foundations course, but it is kinda useless, most of the work in foundations involves reading the thick 2 volume compulsory reading package assembled by the faculty

I agree that it's not very helpful in the sense of doing well in exams but it's not bad in the sense, as requested initially, as a general, introductory text to the law. I commenced studies in law without having any background knowledge of it (i.e. I did not do legal studies in high school) and reading it was interesting for me. It provides a structured introductory background into the foundations of the law, in contrast to the fragmented ideas of law that we learn from fiction books (particularly those outside of Australia), the movies and friends.

I also had compulsory reading material (those great big door stoppers) but I found them a lot easier to read and faster to get through once I covered the introductory material in "Laying Down the Law". The reading materials I went through (essentially photocopies) were bits and pieces and not structured like a book.

 

[1000words]

Actually, I too am very curious about what the law classes are like. Can you please tell a prospective law student anything of relevance regarding the general structure, (ie lecturer talking to 500 students, followed by small tutorials) and also things like group presentations and mooting. What do they involve, difficulty, stress, research level.

I have been looking at the compulsory law courses for both USyd and UNSW, and would like to know a little more about the 'Advanced Legal Research' subject offered by both universities. What does it involve? I presume a hefty research task...any details?

I hope that the others have answered your question already. All I add is that if you were good enough to get through year 12 and perform at such a high level to enter into law school, you will do absolutely fine if you maintain your work ethic. The danger is that the level of stress is significantly less and you are more independent in your studies.

 

[MoonlightSonata]

errk...laying down the law is good if you didnt do legal studies...ie if you know nothing at all about the law 'laying down the law' is needed.

"Understanding the Australian Legal System" by John Carvan is also good

I believe it is structered much more clearly as well

 

[Suvat]

Of course, no one should overlook "Legal institutions and method" by John Pyke and Alastair MacAdam, as it is, in my opinion, far easier to understand than laying down the law for someone who has no background knowledge. I suspect it is also cheaper than the evil green book (laying down the law).

 

[Lainee]

errk...laying down the law is good if you didnt do legal studies...ie if you know nothing at all about the law 'laying down the law' is needed.

Oh well, need something to read over the summer anyway. So going to try and find all 3 (or 4 was it?) mentioned. Might overlap, but can never have too solid a 'foundation'. Heheh, talk about eager.

 

[charlie_charlie]

Just been reading through all of these posts - and I've noticed they've all centered around UNSW or USyd law...what about UTS?! I am considering UTS because I didn't get enough for UNSW Law (and stupidly, didn't apply for ACCESS, when I was entitled to it) - and from what I've read so far, seems to be a pretty good law school, with the only thing detracting from it is its lack of prestige. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone can answer
1) what are the classes/learning/quality of teaching/ methods @UTS are like
2) what is, really, so bad about UTS? i mean, it doesn't have the best reputation, but when reading through it, seems to produce job worthy graduates
3) what the BA (Int Stds)/LLB degree is like? What career opportunities does it produce? Would it be possible to do that degree and then, maybe transfer to UNSW in the 2nd year to a BA/LLB or Int Stds/LLB? If so, how hard would it be?

That's not to say that I would definately transfer to UNSW in 2nd year, I'm just tyring to know all possible routes.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

 

[mr EaZy]

uts is changing next year, thats what this 1st year uts dude told me
god willing, i'll be there next year

law/business
law/ social inq
law/ international studies
law / public communications

these are my prefs
but ill put unsw law just in case the eas entry drops to 97.90

 

[mr EaZy]

Do you have those links Mr Eazy? They sound like they may be useful.


I'm also wondering about the money on offer from Syd and UNSW. We have recieved no information about these.

Thanks

anything to help a bunch of country folks get in touch with the world (just kidding)

alright here: (u probably have them already so, it probably doesnt mean anything to u )

http://www.immi.gov.au/department/j...te/graduate.htm

http://www.ictr.org/ENGLISH/opportu...nship/index.htm

http://www.dfat.gov.au/recruit/graduates/

https://jobs.un.org/Galaxy/Release3...cy/vacancy.aspx

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/21515



any law magazine /student brochure will give u similar links and more. i dont have any on barristers and cheif justices or whatever or conveyancy or ..........

just know that u dont need a law degree to be in these high positions. Thats kinda like a myth really. u did say that ur daughter was looking into UN and foreign affairs , but yeah, arts ,commerce, and other courses that provide valuable skills should be sought after by reputable international organizations. just uhhhh good luck mate

 

[mr EaZy]

oh and wizard !
if ur interested in the scholarships, tell ur .........daughter,.......... to go to the usyd faculty website ,

i think its www.law.usyd.edu.au

then tell them " look i got 99.95, and i want a scholarship, please advise! " they'll help ya alright

 

[wizard]

Thanks very much mr EaZy for the links and advice re scholarships.
Yes we are a little isolated out here in the sticks but the internet brings the world to us. Can't imagine getting this type of help 20 years ago.
I suspect that part of my daughter's success can be attributed to the net. She spent hours on it researching for assignments and looking for that "little bit extra" to use in exams. Without the support of big city libraries and contacts I imagine it was a little harder for country kids in the past.