Law Personal Statement

My interest in the Law, both as an intellectual discipline and as a prospective career, has grown out of academic study as well as work experience in the field.  I completed a foundation course in Law as well as the first year of a degree course in Law with Criminology (which had to be curtailed because of funding difficulties), and this training has given me a good grounding in the subject as well as introducing me to the immense variety of specialist areas of law and the attractive range of career options that are available with a law degree.  My main interest at the moment is in criminal law, partly because of its diversity, and also because of the opportunities it offers to defend those who might be wrongly accused of serious offences.  For the past two years I have worked in a solicitors’ office, experiencing a wide range of cases and legal processes, and gaining the opportunity to work alongside professionals in many aspects of the law.  Their excellent support for my ambitions has convinced me that my career choice is the right one and inspired my determination to study for a law degree.  My long-term hopes are to undertake a Legal Practice Course after graduation and become a solicitor, and then to run a large UK practice where I could work with such first-rate professional colleagues. The academic courses I have already completed have covered such areas as the English legal system, employment law in the EU, the law of tort, contract law, constitutional law and criminal law, so that I feel confident that my choice of degree subject is well informed and my ambitions realistic. The attraction of criminal law centres on such issues as the relationship between argument and evidence in criminological debate, and the importance of learning how to interpret criminological research findings.  Applying legal concepts in real practical situations also calls for creative and inventive thinking.  There is no such thing as routine in criminal law work.  The historical context of crime and punishment is also immensely important, as well as the sociological aspects of offending.  My studies have already led to a consideration of the nature of the criminal mind, the power of the police and the practical workings of the criminal justice system.

My work at Losanaa & Co., solicitors, began as a clerk, but I was soon promoted to the role of Assistant Caseworker as a result of my performance.  I had experience of many types of legal issues and cases, including immigration problems, conveyancing, matrimonial disputes, as well as criminal matters such as drink-driving and domestic violence.  I attended Home Office interviews with clients, prepared affidavits for use in matrimonial proceedings and gained experience of commercial and residential property contracts.   My strong IT skills were very much appreciated in the firm and I was able to help with many computer problems and maintenance issues.  At the same time I successfully studied for a qualification as a legal secretary, which I achieved in 2010.

While at school I very much enjoyed public speaking and debating.  I also studied drama, which helped to develop my skills of presentation, essential in a courtroom lawyer.  I held various posts of responsibility, and was often involved in organising events such as school trips and sports events.  I am academically able, and have read widely in my subject, including Jacqueline Martin’s book on the English Legal System, as well as Sweet and Maxwell.  I keep abreast of new developments by reading the Law Society Gazette, The British Journal of Criminology and The Journal of Law and Society Policing.

            I have four languages, English, German, Tamil and Sinhalese, a useful asset in an increasingly international world. I work well with others, but also have the confidence to trust my own judgement.  I learn quickly and respond well to pressure, and I am hard-working and focussed in all that I do.  I hope you will consider my application.  

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