Typical A levels for law

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Am I wrong in thinking that for law specifically that there's no need for any specific A-levels apart from one essay subject?

My DS did French Spanish and Biology. School actively discouraged him from doing law at A level.

Oh yes. The one thing I know about this is that Law A-Level is not needed and is sometimes discouraged.

IME if you're aiming for Oxbridge, do English Literature (not language), History plus one other rigorous academic subject.

Everyone I’ve taught who’s done law in the last 5 years have all done

English Lit
History
RS

at A-level

My niece did English lit, chemistry , Government and politics and maths

For law as a career, something which demonstrates numeracy and commerciality. When recruiting I have a preference for those with maths or economics at A level.

Yes, it is not needed but it covers areas covered in the first year of a degree namely Tort Law, Criminal Law , Contract Law and English Legal Systems.
Many A level Law students therefore have a bit of a head start

DDad was a law lecturer and resented having to unteach stuff that Law A level students had been taught that was ‘right enough for A level’. He said there were some places that taught it brilliantly but that was not universal…

Really because I was a solicitor before my disabled son was born ( passed the old style finals) and my daughter self taught Law A’ level and I was hugely impressed by the syllabus and how much ground it covered. My daughter did the contract aspect and it covered offer, acceptance, unilateral contracts, I think even high tree, restitution etc.

For what it’s worth I think that having something different from the usual English Literature, History and a lighter subject is good. As a lawyer I would find myself reading 4 books on the construction of types and next day reading design specifications on flooring/ matting for a major tournament. The next day I was expected to understand what a transverse fracture of L5 was and also the implications of a torn brachial plexus etc - So Sciences can be useful for building/ insurance / patent etc Law. Also Politics is a useful A Level as it teaches you about the difference between primary legislation and common law. It also tells you about ultra vires etc and local government so useful for people who want to understand local administrative law.

Lots of lawyers are recruited as ex nurses or scientists etc for a reason.

I would love my daughter to have done Law as she has Chemistry Maths, Law and Biology A Levels and a first in Neuroscience but her heart is set on Big 4.

Interesting. DS got offered a training contract right after the vacation scheme without numeracy qualification other than his maths gcse😅

I did history, English literature and sociology. Applied to Bristol and Bath and got into both (chose Bristol). Got a pretty decent career now 😉

It depends what he ends up doing but general good arithmetic is definitely useful so a higher level GCSE maths would be preferred and not just a scrape 4/5.

Any lawyer will have to pass the accounts exam so in theory that establishes good numeracy - double entry book keeping and company accounts etc. It’s important to manage clients money or to work out transfers of funds on a multi million pound deal etc.

I think that people might struggle with law if Maths is not a strong point unless things have changed. I spent my time examining schedules of loss and doing accelerated receipt calculations or housing costs calculations etc.

I did English, Maths, Physics and History and got in everywhere I applied. Others in my year had done A Level law but I never felt they had a head start on me and if they did, it probably didn’t last too long as Law degrees are so fast moving and you cover so much ground!

DS qualified 4 years ago, so maybe as you said, things have changed.

There is no right A Level just do what you are good at and get the best grades.

I think it depends what kind of law you want to go into. I got a training contract at Hogan Lovells with zero maths qualifications (don't ask... traveller background) but I was interested in corporate or M&A rather than something like banking. I don't think it's a necessity!

I did History, Politics, English and Classical Civilisation.

Those may be typical but I don’t think essential.

Just my view but I wouldn’t do Law A-level. I think you don’t need to specialise at that early stage and instead breadth of skill is more important. I’d consider instead essay style A-levels such as History and English plus commercial style such as Economics and Maths. It doesn’t have to be those, just examples to cover range of skills needed.

In my experience (I'm in-house, commercial) I don't have any involvement in figures. It's all dealt with by the business. But it may be different in private practice

French or Latin can be useful for legal terminology.
Otherwise solid academic subjects, History, Politics, English Literature, etc.

The lawyer I know did maths, physics, chemistry, then did an engineering degree before transferring to law. Very employable.

I think that the point is that law is a diverse job and different skills are will suit different roles. Hence why it’s best to just follow your heart and do what you are good at. Some A Level are regarded as harder than others so do 2 ‘harder’ A Levels at least. Once in people then gravitate to what interests them a bit more.

I did a science degree and then took a one year conversion course (CPE)

As solicitors do a variety of specialisms, the aim is to get on the course. Worry about nuances later.

Eg Cambridge law is more commercial and they like maths. MFL is also highly regarded. I think the Cambridge advice is best. You can find it under How to choose A level subjects. Dc can also convert to law after academic degrees. DD is a barrister after doing MFL degree. A friend of hers did music. Do what you are best at for a degree. Then work out which area of law and whether barrister or solicitor during y2 if possible. It’s advisable to apply for mini pupilages or internships.

Posted same page twice. Here’s the second one. The second list are recommended third subjects. Law is there.

I’m a lawyer. Traditional, academic subjects that she will get good grades in.