With schools and universities now postponing or cancelling exams, law students have more time to expand their reading from set textbooks. Here is a range of suggestions including fiction, biographical accounts and guides, which current and aspiring law students will find both interesting and helpful to their studies.
1. Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken: The Secret Barrister
This is a fascinating first-hand account of our criminal justice system. Many will be surprised especially at the reforms needed in order to address the shortcomings of our penal system.
2. Eve Was Framed: Women and British Justice: Helena Kennedy and Eve Was Shamed: Helena Kennedy
Kennedy’s first book discusses the relationship between women and the British legal system, revealing a ‘web of prejudice, privilege and misinformation’ that affects women in their dealings with the law. The second book provides a forensic look at the treatment of women, in light of the #MeToo movement. Critics have expressed that the extent to which the law continues to fail women particularly in rape and sexual assault trials can make for shocking reading.
3. Online Courts and the Future of Justice: Richard Susskind
This book rethinks the practice of law, morphing it so it is more suitable for the digital age. Its author Richard Susskind has been hailed as the ‘godfather of legal tech’.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lee
This is an iconic novel that shines a light on the issues of rape and racial inequality in 1930s Alabama. A must-read!
5. All You Need to Know About the City: Christopher Stoakes
An essential guide to the financial markets, this book tells you what to expect before attending vacation scheme and training contract interviews.
Which Fictional Lawyer Are You Most Like?
Take the Quiz6. The Rule of Law: Tom Bingham
This book examines the substantive content behind the often-used phrase ‘the rule of law’. Lord Bingham explains the history of the rule of law before exploring its relationship with modern problems such as the rise in terrorism.
7. Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Michael J. Sandel
This book provides a philosophical exploration of modern moral dilemmas and what is really meant by ‘justice’. Sandel draws upon prominent philosophers such as Aristotle or Kant in order to teach the reader how to balance their own competing values.
8. Landmarks in the Law: Lord Denning
Any law student will have become well-acquainted with the often dissenting judgements of Lord Denning. In this book, he provides an academic commentary and the details of some of the most impactful cases in English law.
9. Jeremy Hutchinson’s Case Histories: From Lady Chatterley’s Lover to Howard Marks: Thomas Grant
A biographical sketch of one of Britain’s most prolific criminal barristers, this book also addresses some of the most interesting cases Jeremy Hutchinson was involved with against the political, social and cultural backdrop of the 1960s, ‘70s and 80s.
10. The Justice Game: Geoffrey Roberts
In this book, an Australian barrister recounts his experiences in the English courts, detailing his battle for the courts to find the right line when it comes to free speech.
Words: Holly Porter
More Boredom Busting during Lockdown:
- Top Law Films to Watch While Self Isolating
- 8 Law-Related Netflix Shows to Binge Watch During Self Isolation
- Lawyer TV Series to Watch During Self Isolation
