Choosing to study law is a decision that can stem from a variety of motivations, intellectual curiosity, career ambition, or a deep-seated desire for justice. Statistics suggest that law remains one of the most sought-after disciplines worldwide, with a significant number of students pursuing legal education each year. In the UK alone, nearly 30,000 students enroll in law degree programs annually (Law Society, 2022). The reasons for this are diverse. Some are drawn by the prestige and stability associated with the profession, while others see it as a pathway to effecting real change in society.

Research also indicates that law graduates develop highly transferable skills, making them valuable in a wide range of industries beyond the legal sector (Bar Council, 2021).

For me, the journey into law was deeply personal. Returning to education as a mature student was a pivotal moment in my life. It was finally time to challenge myself, test my abilities, and truly understand what I was capable of.

What initially drew me to law was its apparent clarity, a structured set of rules that, in theory, applied to everyone equally. To me, it seemed black and white: something either was or it wasn’t. Looking back now, after seven or eight years immersed in legal studies, I realise how naïve that perspective was. The law is far more complex, influenced by interpretation, context, and systemic structures.

The importance of legal literacy cannot be overstated. Many individuals navigate life unaware of their rights and responsibilities, leaving them vulnerable in critical situations. This is particularly evident in cases of wrongful accusations, where the lack of legal knowledge can have devastating consequences. Studies highlight that wrongful convictions remain a significant issue, with organisations such as the Innocence Project estimating that thousands of innocent individuals have been imprisoned due to legal system failures (Innocence Project, 2021).

The question then arises, how can we better protect people from such injustices? One potential solution is early legal education. If children were taught their fundamental rights and responsibilities from an early age, they might be better equipped to navigate the legal landscape as adults. Some countries have already begun integrating legal literacy into their school curricula, with promising results (UNESCO, 2020).

Despite the complexity of the legal field, access to justice should not be reserved for a select few. Much like financial markets, where wealthier individuals often have more opportunities, legal services are often dominated by those with financial privilege. This disparity fuels my passion for filling the gap between expensive legal counsel and individuals who cannot afford it.

If “The purpose of all law is justice” (Franz Rudolf Von Weiss)  there should be no barrier that separates the advantaged from the disadvantaged.

Ultimately, studying law is about more than just learning statutes and case precedents, for me it’s about understanding the human impact of legal frameworks. It’s about ensuring that justice is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality for those who need it most.

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