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How to Write a Law Essay

Last Updated: August 11, 2023

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 239,904 times.

In a college legal studies course, and in some law school courses, you may be required to write a research paper addressing a legal topic. These essays can be tricky, because the law is constantly evolving. To secure a top grade, your essay must be well-researched and coherently argued. With proper planning and research, you can write a stellar legal essay. [Note: this article does not address how to write law school essay exams or bar exam questions, which require different techniques and strategies.]

Choosing an Essay Topic

Step 1 Carefully read the assignment prompt.

  • A narrow essay prompt might read, "Discuss the evolution and impact of the exclusionary rule of evidence in the United States." A broad prompt might read, "Discuss how a civil rights movement led to changes in federal and/or state law."
  • If you are invited to choose your own topic, your professor may require you to submit a written proposal or outline to ensure that your chosen topic complies with the prompt. If you are not sure if your topic is within the parameters of the prompt, propose your topic to your professor after class or during his or her office hours.

Step 2 Read any required materials.

  • Hopefully, your course readings, lectures, and class discussions will have given you enough background knowledge to select a topic. If not, review your class notes and browse online for additional background information.
  • It is not uncommon to change your topic after doing some research. You may end up narrowing the questions your essay will answer, or changing your topic completely.

Step 4 Choose an essay topic of interest to you.

  • If you can, try to focus on an are of the law that affects you. For example, if your family is involved in agriculture, you may be interested in writing about water use regulations .

Researching Your Topic

Step 1 Identify what types of sources you are required to use.

  • If you are prohibited from citing internet resources, you can still use online research to guide you to physical primary and secondary sources in your local library or bookstore.

Step 2 Begin with tertiary sources.

  • Look at footnotes, citations, and indexes in tertiary sources. These are great for finding books, articles, and legal cases that are relevant to your topic. Also take note of the names of authors, who may have written multiple works on your topic.

Step 3 Speak to a librarian.

  • Also find search engines for related fields, such as history or political science. Ask your librarian to recommend specialized search engines tailored to other disciplines that may have contributed to your topic.

Step 5 Gather sources and read them.

  • Never cut and paste from the web into your notes or essay. This often leads to inadvertent plagiarism because students forget what is a quotation and what is paraphrasing. When gathering sources, paraphrase or add quotation marks in your outline.
  • Plagiarism is a serious offense. If you ultimately hope to be a lawyer, an accusation of plagiarism could prevent you from passing the character and fitness review.

Step 7 Look for arguments on both sides of an issue.

Drafting the Essay

Step 1 Write your thesis statement.

  • An effective introduction takes the reader out of his world and into the world of your essay. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Explain why the subject is important and briefly summarizes the rest of your argument. After reading your introduction, your reader should know what you are going to discuss and in what order you will be discussing it.
  • Be prepared to revise your introduction later. Summarizing your essay will be easier after you have written it, especially if you deviate from your outline.

Step 4 Develop your arguments.

  • State each argument of your essay as a statement that, if true, would support your thesis statement.
  • Provide supporting information drawn from primary and secondary sources that support your argument. Remember to cite your sources.
  • Provide your own original analysis, explaining to the reader that based on the primary and secondary sources you have presented, the reader should be persuaded by your argument.

Step 5 Outline counter-arguments.

Formatting Your Essay

Step 1 Review your essay prompt.

Proofreading the Essay

Step 1 Read the essay backwards.

  • Open up a Word document. On the Quick Access Toolbar at the top, click on the down arrow. The words “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” will appear when you hover over the arrow for two seconds.
  • Click on the arrow. Then click on “More Commands.”
  • In the “Choose commands from” drop-down box, choose “All commands.”
  • Scroll down to find “Speak.” Highlight this and then click “add.” Then click “okay.” Now the Speak function should appear on your Quick Access Toolbar.
  • Highlight the text you want read back to you, and then click on the Speak icon. The text will be read back to you.

Step 3 Search for common typographical errors.

  • Do not rely on a spell checker exclusively, as it will not catch typos like "statute" versus "statue."

Revising the Essay

Step 1 Share the essay with a classmate.

  • You can share the essay with someone outside of class, but a classmate more likely has the requisite knowledge to understand the subject matter of the essay.

Step 2 Incorporate your professor’s comments.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

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  • ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/2/53/
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
  • ↑ https://www.legalbluebook.com/
  • ↑ https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Using-the-Speak-text-to-speech-feature-459e7704-a76d-4fe2-ab48-189d6b83333c

About This Article

Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

To write a law essay, start by writing a thesis statement on your chosen topic. Phrase your thesis statement as an argument, using words like “because” or “therefore” to state your point. Write an outline of the arguments you will use to support your thesis statement, then use that outline to build the body of your paper. Include any counter-arguments, but use your evidence to convince the reader why your point of view is valid, and the counter-arguments are not. Be sure to cite all of your sources in the format preferred by your professor. For tips from our reviewer on finding the best sources for your topic, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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‘Don’t write your essay like a murder mystery.’

'Don't just vomit on the page': how to write a legal essay

Law lecturer Steven Vaughan explains why the best essays take discipline, editing, and teamwork

W hen Steven Vaughan, a senior law lecturer at University College London, asked students to mark a previous fresher’s work , their feedback was brutal. It just about scraped a 2:2. The students were therefore shocked to discover this “really bad essay” was written by Vaughan himself during his time as an Oxford undergrad. The reassuring point Vaughan was trying to make, of course, is that students shouldn’t worry if they are not turning in perfect essays from day one. Like any skill, essay writing requires practice. Here, Vaughan offers his advice:

MJ: How do law essays differ from other subjects?

SV: All essays are about communicating a message to a particular sort of audience, so we are looking for structure, logic, and narrative. It’s the law that makes the difference, though. New students often haven’t studied law before and are not aware of its nuance. Writing a law essay is about digging deep to uncover uncertainty and complexity within the law, and to use this to argue a position.

Students always ask, ‘What should our essays look like?’ I tell them they should be writing like the academic articles we give them to read. Obviously that’s a difficult ask on day one, but those should be a guide.

What are the most common mistakes students make when writing law essays?

There are three common mistakes. The first is students not answering the question we set. This happens for lots of different reasons – either because students are stressed and they misread it, or they don’t understand it. But whatever you do, don’t just vomit on the page. You need to think about what exactly we are asking.

Secondly, don’t write your essay like a murder mystery. I often find I don’t know where an essay is going or what the conclusion is going to be until I get to the very end. The most common thing I write in capital letters is, ‘What’s your argument? What are you saying?’

The third common mistake is an argument lacking authority. Students will often put forward propositions that are intelligent and well reasoned but don’t connect back to the law. What’s the bit of statute, case law or legal academic that you are using to evidence the claim that you are making?

What’s the best way to start a law essay?

Often introductions are long and rambling. If you can set the right tone at the beginning, it makes all the difference. I tell my students to do three things in their introductions. First, give it a context: frame the issue for the reader and for the question. Then set out your argument. And then do some signposting: tell me what is going to happen over the next three paragraphs or the next three pages.

What’s the best way to approach research?

Students don’t ask us enough for guidance on how to direct their reading. The reading list is almost always split into two parts – the required reading section and the further reading section. The required reading is stuff we just expect you to know, it’s a given. Additional reading is for when you have time, these are things you should explore.

Law students always complain about how much work they have to do. But what they don’t do is form study groups to help each other prep. One of my first-year messages is that law isn’t The Hunger Games. There is no reason why you can’t all do well. So why don’t you share the reading between you?

What really impresses me is when students divvy up the additional reading, when students create Facebook or WhatsApp groups and share knowledge among themselves.

How do you best manage your time?

My advice is always do as I say, not as I did. I was a student who was awake all night, cramming for exams and finishing my essay at 6am for a tutorial at 9am. The better advice is to try and treat your law degree like a job. So think about working 8-4 or 9-5. You shouldn’t be working in the early hours of the morning or at the weekend. That requires quite a bit of discipline. Have a timetable that you stick to.

When you think you have finished a piece, physically walk away from it, get some fresh air, go to the gym – whatever it is you do. It’s only when you come back to it later that you will notice all the imperfections and mistakes.

You have also got to build in time for getting feedback from other people, whether it’s friends, family or other law students. Give it to someone who is going to be brutally honest.

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How to Write a Law Essay: 8 Steps

December 28, 2023

1. Choosing an Essay Topic

When it comes to writing a law essay, choosing an appropriate topic is crucial. A well-chosen topic will make your research and writing process smoother and more enjoyable, while a poorly chosen topic can lead to frustration and a lackluster essay.

Firstly, consider what has piqued your interest in your law studies so far. Perhaps there was a case or topic that you found particularly intriguing, or an aspect of law that you feel needs further exploration. Alternatively, you could focus on a current legal issue that you feel strongly about and want to delve deeper into.

It’s also important to make sure your topic isn’t too broad or too narrow. Too broad of a topic can result in a lack of focus, while a topic that is too narrow won’t give you enough research material to work with.

Ultimately, choosing a law essay topic is about finding a balance between your personal interests and the practical aspects of your assignment. Take the time to carefully consider your options, and don’t be afraid to ask for input or guidance from your professor or classmates.

Possible Law Essay Topics

  • The impact of social media on defamation laws.
  • Analyzing the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentencing.
  • The effectiveness of restorative justice in reducing recidivism rates.
  • Legal implications of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
  • Exploring the rights of privacy versus national security in the digital age.
  • Examining the legal and ethical issues surrounding euthanasia.
  • Assessing the role of international law in combating climate change.
  • Analyzing the legal framework for cyberbullying and online harassment.
  • The legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana: a critical analysis.
  • Exploring the intersection of intellectual property rights and emerging technologies.

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests and research availability, while ensuring that it is adequately focused for a detailed analysis within the scope of your essay.

2. Researching the Topic

Before diving into writing a law essay, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on the chosen topic. This step is critical to ensure that the essay is factually correct, well-supported, and logically structured. Here are some tips on how to research effectively for a law essay:

  • Begin by gathering basic information. Use specialized textbooks, journals, and databases to gain a foundational understanding of the topic.
  • Use secondary sources to gain a broader perspective on the topic. Utilize reputable news sources, government publications, and online legal databases to broaden your search.
  • Access case law. To support your arguments, cite legal cases that illustrate your argument. Access online case law databases that have accessible search functions.
  • Use primary sources. Primary sources include statutes, regulation, and the constitution. It’s important to have a good grasp of the primary sources since they are the basis of much of legal research.
  • Take notes. Keep track of all relevant information, including sources and citations. Use an organized format that will make outlining and writing the essay a simpler process.
  • Evaluate and analyze. Through the research process, it’s important to analyze the information found. Determine what is and is not relevant, and how it factors into your argument.

By conducting thorough research, you will be able to support your argument with a well-evidenced and structured essay. Remember to keep track of all sources and citations as they will be necessary in the writing process.

3. Developing Strong Thesis Statement

Developing a strong thesis statement is essential when writing a law essay. This powerful statement sets the tone for the entire article and guides the reader’s understanding of your argument. To create an effective thesis statement, you must first fully understand the topic and question at hand. Take your time to research and gather relevant information to support your viewpoint. As you delve deeper into the subject, analyze different perspectives and identify the key arguments surrounding the topic. Once you have a clear understanding of the various viewpoints, narrow down your focus and craft a concise and persuasive thesis statement that clearly states your position. Remember, a strong thesis statement should be debatable, specific, and assertive. Spend time honing your thesis to ensure it effectively conveys your argument and engages the reader’s interest.

Example thesis statement:

“The death penalty should be abolished in the United States because it violates the Eighth Amendment, fails to act as an effective deterrent, and disproportionately affects marginalized communities.”

4. Structuring the Law Essay

Structuring your law essay is crucial to ensure clarity, coherence, and a logical flow of ideas. Here’s a breakdown of how to structure your law essay:

Introduction:

  • Provide a brief overview of the topic and its significance.
  • Present the thesis statement, clearly stating your argument.

Background and Context:

  • Provide necessary background information to help the reader understand the topic.
  • Explain relevant legal concepts, principles, or statutes related to your argument.
  • Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that relates to your thesis statement.
  • Present your arguments and support them with evidence, case law, or legal authorities.
  • Use clear and concise language to explain your points and provide analysis.

Counter-Argument:

  • Acknowledge and present the counter-argument(s) objectively and logically.
  • Refute the counter-argument(s) with reasoned explanations and supportive evidence.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize your main arguments and their supporting evidence.
  • Restate your thesis statement and highlight its significance.
  • Offer some final thoughts or suggestions for further research or action.

Remember to use appropriate headings and subheadings to structure your essay effectively. Use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs. Additionally, ensure proper citations and referencing throughout the essay to maintain academic integrity.

5. Writing the Introduction

Writing the introduction is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for your entire law essay. Here’s how you can effectively structure your introduction:

Start with a hook:

  • Use a compelling statement, anecdote, or a relevant quote to engage the reader and create interest in your topic.

Provide background information:

  • Give a brief overview of the legal issue or topic you will be discussing.
  • Explain the significance and relevance of the topic to the field of law or society at large.

State the purpose and scope of your essay:

  • Clearly state your thesis statement, which should encapsulate your main argument.
  • Mention the key points you will address and the legal principles, cases, or statutes you will analyze.

Outline the essay structure:

  • Provide a brief outline of how your essay will be structured.
  • Mention the main sections or arguments you will present.

Establish the context:

  • Explain any necessary legal concepts, terms, or background information that the reader needs to understand.

Remember to keep your introduction concise and focused. It should provide enough information to orient the reader and generate interest in your essay. However, save the detailed arguments and evidence for the main body of your essay. Aim to make your introduction clear, engaging, and persuasive, setting the stage for the rest of your law essay.

6. Developing the Body Paragraphs

Developing the body paragraphs is the core of your law essay, where you present and support your arguments with evidence and analysis. Here’s how to effectively structure and develop your body paragraphs:

Start with a topic sentence:

  • Each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that relates to your thesis statement.
  • The topic sentence sets the tone and direction for the paragraph.

Present your argument:

  • Clearly state your argument or point of view in the opening sentences of each paragraph.
  • Provide supporting evidence, such as case law, statutory provisions, or legal principles, to back up your argument.

Analyze and interpret the evidence:

  • Explain the significance of the evidence in relation to your argument.
  • Analyze how the evidence supports and strengthens your position.

Use legal authorities and sources:

  • Cite relevant cases, statutes, or legal commentary to support your arguments.
  • Refer to authoritative legal sources, such as court decisions or academic articles, to provide credibility.

Use clear and concise language:

  • Clearly articulate your ideas using logical transitions and precise language.
  • Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language that may confuse the reader.

Remember to properly structure your paragraphs, provide sufficient evidence and analysis, and link your arguments back to your main thesis statement. Each paragraph should contribute to the overall coherence and flow of your essay, ensuring a convincing and well-supported argument.

7. Present the Counter-argument

Presenting the counter-argument is an essential component of writing a persuasive law essay. Failing to acknowledge opposing viewpoints weakens your argument and makes it appear biased. Therefore, it is crucial to identify different perspectives surrounding the topic and analyze these perspectives objectively. Once you have identified the counter-argument, you can present it in your essay, offering evidence and explanations to support it. Addressing counter-arguments in your essay strengthens your credibility as a writer and demonstrates your ability to look at a topic from multiple perspectives. Additionally, this approach makes your essay more convincing by acknowledging and addressing potential criticism of your argument. Keep in mind that effectively presenting the counter-argument requires thorough research, logical reasoning, and evidence-based arguments. Therefore, take your time to critically analyze opposing views to ensure your argument is backed up by relevant and reliable supporting evidence. By doing so, you can construct a well-reasoned and thoughtful essay that can withstand any counter-argument.

8. Crafting the Conclusion

Crafting a strong conclusion is essential to leave a lasting impression on the reader and effectively summarize your arguments in a law essay. Here are some key steps to consider when writing your conclusion:

Summarize your main points:

  • Recapitulate the main arguments you presented in the body paragraphs.
  • Provide a brief overview of the evidence you presented to support each argument.

Reinforce your thesis statement:

  • Restate your thesis statement in a concise manner to remind the reader of your main argument.
  • Emphasize the significance and relevance of your thesis in the context of the larger legal issue.

Offer a broader perspective:

  • Connect your arguments to the wider legal or societal implications of the topic.
  • Discuss the potential consequences or impact of your findings on the field of law or legal practice.

Suggest areas for further research:

  • Highlight any unanswered questions or areas of debate that may require future exploration.
  • Propose avenues for future research or policy development related to your topic.

Conclude with a compelling closing statement:

  • Leave the reader with a thought-provoking final remark that leaves a lasting impression.
  • Use a concise and powerful statement to tie together your essay and reinforce your main message.

Ensure that your conclusion is concise, focused, and aligned with your overall argument. It should serve as a strong ending to your law essay, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your position and the importance of the topic discussed.

Use Legal Terms Accurately

In the realm of writing law essays, the accurate and precise use of legal terms is paramount. This subheading focuses on the importance of correctly employing legal terminology in order to craft an exceptional law essay.

Mastering legal terminology is essential for two reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates an understanding and grasp of the subject matter, showcasing your expertise to both professors and potential employers. Secondly, using legal terms accurately enhances the clarity and coherence of your arguments, making your essay more persuasive and compelling. However, it is crucial to strike a balance – overusing legal jargon may alienate readers who are not well-versed in the law.

To ensure accuracy, it is imperative to consult reliable legal sources such as authoritative textbooks, journals, or statutes. Moreover, reading and analyzing sample essays or exemplary legal writing can provide guidance on how to effectively incorporate legal terms into your own work. By diligently honing your legal language skills, you will significantly elevate the quality and impact of your law essays.

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Academic and professional legal writing requires you to develop an argument and demonstrate relationships between the ideas you are expressing. 

Therefore, the ability to express yourself clearly and accurately is important.  Here you will find information to help you improve your writing for any purpose in your law degree.

Academic writing in law is:

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Steps to Writing a Law Essay

Throughout your law degree, you will be expected to write a range of different texts, including research essays, responses to problem questions, and case notes.

Not matter the type of text you are asked to produce for an assignment, make sure you follow these steps:

  • Plan :  read the questions carefully and think about how you will answer it
  • Research :  read, read and read! Make use of everything available to you - don't forget the library!
  • Make thorough notes : include all important (and relevant) details and quotes and take note of the source. Make sure you organise your notes so as to make the writing task easier
  • Write the first draft :  before you start writing your first draft, refer back to your initial plan and make any necessary changes now you have done your research and gathered your notes. 
  • Review and edit :  remember to proofread your work!

The IRAC Method

IRAC is an acronym that stands for: Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion. It functions as a methodology for legal analysis and is used as a framework for organising your answer to an essay question in law school.

[ Open All | Close All ]

In legal writing, issues are the core of the essay.

This part of the essay should:

  • Identify and state the issue
  • Name those involved (plaintiff and defendant) and briefly describe their individual issues
  • Work out what body of law may govern the resolution of the issue (e.g. Contract Law)

The rule describes which law applies to the issue. The rule should be stated as a general principle, and not a conclusion to the particular case being briefed.

  • Outline the legal principles that will be used to address to the issue
  • Source legal principles from cases and legislation

The application is the most important and longest part of your answer. It involves applying the Rule to the facts of the issue and demonstrating how those facts do or do not meet the requirements laid down by the rules. Discuss both sides of the case when possible.

  • Explain why the plaintiff's claims are or are not justified
  • Identify how the law will be used by the plaintiff and defendant to argue their case
  • Use relevant cases and legal principles to support your writing
  • Do not try to strengthen your argument by leaving out elements or facts that will hurt it

As with all essays, the conclusion is a statement that identifies your answer to the issue.

  • Identify what the result of your argument ir, or what it should be
  • State who is liable for what and to what extent
  • Consider how the plaintiff and defendant could have acted to avoid this legal issue

Useful Links:

  • UWA IRAC Guide This guide from the University of Western Australia offers examples of how the IRAC method can be applied to different cases.
  • Law School Survival: The IRAC Method A useful site that presents a detailed outline of the IRAC method as well as skeleton outlines.

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How to Write Compelling Law Essays?

Writing a law essay can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can write a compelling and persuasive essay that can earn you top marks. In this blog, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a law essay to impress your professors.

Step 1: Understand the question

Read and understand the question carefully. Analyse what is being asked, identify the key terms and issues, and make a plan for how you will approach the topic.

Step 2: Research

Conduct extensive research on the topic. Use a variety of sources including textbooks, case law, journal articles, and legislation. Take detailed notes and organise your research material to help you with the writing process.

Step 3: Plan your essay

Create an essay plan that outlines the structure of your essay. Decide on the main points you want to make and the evidence you will use to support them. Ensure that you have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Step 4: Write the introduction

Start your essay with a clear and concise introduction that outlines the main issues and provides a thesis statement. This should be brief and to the point.

Step 5: Write the main body

The main body of your essay should consist of a series of paragraphs that develop your arguments and provide evidence to support your claims. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence and provide evidence to support it.

Step 6: Use proper citations

Use proper citations to give credit to your sources and to avoid plagiarism. Make sure to follow the citation style required by your professor or institution.

Step 7: Write the conclusion

Conclude your essay by summarising your key points and restating your thesis. Your conclusion should be concise and provide a clear and convincing final argument.

Step 8: Edit and proofread

Review your essay to ensure that it is well-written and error-free. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as inconsistencies and formatting errors. Make any necessary changes to ensure that your essay is of the highest quality.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to write a well-structured and coherent law essay that effectively argues your position on the given topic.

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legal essay

How to Write a Legal Essay: Step-by-Step Tutorial

write an essay on legal

Preparing a legal essay might seem tricky, especially if you're not used to it. Whether you're a student tackling your first law essay or someone with more experience looking to improve, knowing how to write clearly and effectively is key. A good law essay shows you understand the law and can argue your points well. In this article, we'll give you some straightforward tips on how to write a great law composition. We'll cover everything from structuring your arguments to citing your sources properly. So, if you want to learn how to write a legal paper that stands out, keep reading! Or, to save time and have an evening free from homework, use our legal essay writing service .

write an essay on legal

Understand the Question

Before diving into the process, ensure you thoroughly understand the essay question or prompt. Identify key terms and concepts to grasp what the question is asking. This initial step sets the foundation for your entire paper and helps you stay focused on addressing the core issues.

Research Extensively

A solid legal essay is built on thorough research. Utilize a variety of reputable sources, including academic journals, textbooks, case law, and statutes, to gather relevant information and support your argumentation. Remember to critically evaluate sources to ensure their reliability and relevance to your topic.

Create a Strong Legal Thesis Statement

A thesis statement should succinctly summarize the main stance or position you will defend in your essay. It serves as a roadmap for your readers, guiding them through your analysis and conclusions. Ensure your thesis is clear, specific, and debatable to effectively frame your paper.

Outline Your Arguments

Organize your thoughts and arguments by creating a structured outline before you start writing. This helps you maintain coherence and logical flow throughout your essay. Divide your composition into sections, with each addressing a specific aspect of your thesis or argumentale.

Provide Clear Analysis

A key aspect of legal essay writing is your ability to analyze law principles and apply them to the facts at hand. Avoid merely summarizing cases or statutes; instead, critically analyze their implications and relevance to your point. Use reasoning and logic to support your interpretations and conclusions.

write an essay on legal

Use Proper Legal Citation

Accurate quotations are essential in legal texts to acknowledge sources and provide credibility to your speculations. Familiarize yourself with the required citation style (e.g., Bluebook, OSCOLA) and follow it consistently throughout your composition. Pay close attention to formatting details, including proper quoting of cases, statutes, and secondary sources.

Engage with Counterarguments

Anticipate and address potential counterarguments to strengthen your own position. Acknowledging opposing viewpoints demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the issue and enhances the persuasiveness of your thesis. A legal essay addresses counterarguments directly, providing reasoned responses supported by evidence and analysis.

Maintain Clarity and Conciseness

Legal texts should be clear, concise, and free of unnecessary jargon or convoluted language. Strive for clarity in your expression, using straightforward language to communicate complex law concepts. Avoid verbosity and aim to convey your ideas in the most efficient manner possible.

Structure Your Essay Effectively

A well-structured essay enhances readability and comprehension. Ensure your paper has a clear introduction, body paragraphs that develop your key points cohesively, and a concise conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. Use transition words and phrases to maintain coherence between paragraphs and sections.

Proofread and Edit Like You Mean It

As the legal essay writing process is over and you’re approaching the submission due date, carefully proofread and edit it to eliminate errors and improve clarity. Check for grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, and inconsistencies in formatting or references. Consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or tutors to gain valuable insights and identify areas for improvement.

Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic works and can have severe consequences. Always attribute ideas, quotes, and paraphrases to their original sources using proper referencing. Additionally, ensure your analysis and disputations are original and supported by your own research and insights.

Follow Instructions and Guidelines

Adhere to any specific instructions or guidelines provided by your instructor or institution regarding formatting, word count, formatting style, and submission requirements. Failure to follow instructions can result in penalties or detract from the overall quality of your essay.

Seek Feedback and Revision

Don't hesitate to seek feedback on your essay from professors, peers, or scholarly advisors. Constructive feedback can help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your content and make necessary revisions to strengthen your discussion and improve clarity. Revision is an essential part of the process and can significantly enhance the quality of your final draft.

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Legal Writing: Start Writing Like a Lawyer!

Close up of womans hands writing a legal document on a laptop

If you’re currently studying to be a lawyer, chances are that you’ll be entering the legal world at some point in the next ten years. It seems like a while off, but it might arrive quicker than you think. Are you ready?

In this article, we’ll take you through five ways to improve your legal writing: in other words, writing for business, and not for an academic essay. Get to know the tips, try them out in your applications and assessment days – and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when your legal career kicks off.

1. Get to the Point

First up, make your point and make it clearly, quickly and well. This might, in fact, be the biggest change from academic writing to legal writing. In an essay, it might work to start with a broad outline of the background, then move to the context, and then (a good few pages later) begin to outline your views. In legal writing, however, you want to make it as easy as possible for your recipient to grasp the point.

The simplest way of doing this is to actually dedicate some time to working out what you’re trying to say. Sounds obvious, but be honest – we’ve all started writing a piece of text without really knowing what we’re trying to do with it.

If it helps, you could try explaining the concept to yourself first (see tip five, also): it often takes analysis like this to really get to the heart of your understanding. Once you’ve done this (and yes, it’s difficult work, but worth it), you’ll be ready to start crafting your text, with the main point going first and the background/context following afterwards.

2. Have a View, or an Opinion

Have you ever read a piece of writing where you’re not really sure what the author thinks? Maybe they argue one way, and then another, and perhaps end up somewhere in this middle. This is not what you’re going for in legal writing. Instead, think about the answer to the question you’re solving, or the point you’re making.

What’s your opinion about it? What recommendations do you have for the next steps? What should the recipient of your writing be thinking, or considering, or taking action on? Bonus points if you can add in a couple of explicit recommendations for what you think should happen next.

3. Give Advice in a Commercial Context

Commercial awareness, in its essence, is this: being aware of the commercial context. Sounds obvious, but it’s actually one of the most forgotten elements when it comes to legal writing for business. Too often, lawyers think of themselves as specialist advisers, giving guidance on the letter of the law. But the most effective legal advice is tailored to the client’s needs, goals and objectives (in other words, advice tailored to the commercial context).

So, how to integrate your legal advice and your commercial understanding? A good strategy to adopt is to spend time investigating the client’s business context. Think about what they actually want, what they’re asking for, and only then dive into the relevant law. Once you understand the legal foundation, you’ll then be in a good position to explain it with an emphasis on how it applies to that particular client, in that particular case. Make sure you’re not wasting space on material that is neither relevant nor important – get to the point and deliver the answer.

4. Use Formatting Techniques

Until now, perhaps you’ve avoided bullet points, or numbered lists, or subheadings. Maybe they seemed too simplistic for your academic writing. Well, this is the time to make friends with formatting. You want your legal writing to be easy to read, easy to understand and easy to put into action, even if it deals with an incredibly complex issue.

One way of doing this is to break up the text: think about how the reader would best be able to comprehend the information, and draft accordingly. Whenever you find good examples of other people doing this, make a note, and try it out for yourself.

5. Know Your Own Writing

Here’s a quick test for you: can you explain your point, in as few sentences as possible, and still capture the essence of what you’re trying to say? It’s often when we try and explain a concept to someone else that we realise we haven’t really understood it ourselves. A fellow student might be a willing participant if you want someone to practice on – or just try explaining it to yourself! If you find that you hesitate, revisit your analysis.

Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true – the more you understand a topic deeply, the less you’ll need to play around with jargon, long sentences and complicated descriptions. It takes a lot of effort to write with clarity, grace and style – but you’ll be recognised and rewarded for it.

Words: Eloise Skinner

Eloise Skinner is a solicitor at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Eloise started her journey in law at the University of Cambridge, graduating with a triple first-class degree. Following her studies, Eloise developed an interest in professional development, leading her to become a frequent contributor on careers-related topics for organisations such as The Lawyer , Lex 100 and the Law Society . Her new book, Junior Lawyers’ Handbook, can be purchased here .

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How To Write Law Essay?

23 October, 2020

8 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

If you are a law student, you have probably already faced the question of how to write an essay on this discipline. This is not an easy task because the requirements for a law essay often differ. In addition, you need to state your position and back it up with arguments clearly for others to understand. And to help you facilitate this process, we offer some preparation tips and tricks so that you could craft a decent work.

Law Essay

First things first, let’s discuss the legal essay scheme. It is rightly similar to the social science essay scheme. In both papers, it is necessary to explain a position on a particular issue or comment on a statement. For university law essay, especially in cases of specialties, it’s more complicated. There are several legal essay types :

  • essay on quote explanation . Like in a school essay, the task here is to reveal the meaning of the expression and give a reasoned agreement or disagreement with it.
  • essay on legal theory. The essence of this task is to describe one of the theories of law or any jurisprudence. This can be anything – for example, the theory that touches the Fifth Amendment.
  • jurisprudence essay. In this assignment, you should review a specific case study or analyze the given document. Here, it’s important to adhere to special structure: first read the case, comprehend it, and only then give a critical account of this or that piece.

3 Types of Law Essay

Law Essay Outline

The outline is one of the essential parts of law essay writing. At the point of creating it, you should jot down the structure of the main argument for each and every statement you deem appropriate for a text. This way, it’ll be much easier for you to organize the legal paper and facilitate its readability . 

For example, if you need to comment on the quotation, it’s better to start an essay with brief information about the author. Then, consider the meaning of the citation in the context of his time and compare it to current conditions, as well as note whether you agree with the statement or not. Remember – the main task is to have a solid opinion in which you’re 100% confident. If not, switch the quote.

In the essay on legal theory, state the history of the issue, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the case you are analyzing. Try to draw a parallel with the present, to indicate how relevant it is now for contemporary law students.

While reviewing a specific legal case or document, you should not be distracted by elements irrelevant or unrelated to the subject and give descriptions of similar situations. Consistently assess the actions of subjects or conduct an in-depth analysis of the provided regulation.

Write all of the crucial points in a short plan and shorten the above information into a couple of sentences. Afterward, you’ll be ready to use the crafted outline and write a law essay according to its key points . 

Law Essay Structure

Structure of the Law Essay

1. Introduction

Like any other type of writing, law essays start with introduction. A successful lead in is the one that captures attention instantly and forces readers to become interested in the law topic. In the beginning, you’ll need to clearly and precisely formulate a thesis statement of the entire piece, which you will then reveal in the following text. A great way to elaborate mediocre introduction with engaging filling is to state a concrete problem, controversy or issue that needs to be resolved.  

2. Main part

This is the main element of the whole legal essay. It should contain an analysis of the quotation, legal theory, specific case, or document. Plus, your opinions about this or that aspect should be argued: for example, by references to other papers or practices. Another beneficial way to develop the main body of your essay is to use specific examples from law classes, including activities and important discussions , if applicable. Also, don’t forget that your law essay should always follow the thesis and develop it throughout the legal paper. This is a critical point to consider, as any departure from the established scheme will distort your work’s content.

3. Conclusion

Your finishing remarks should formulate the outcome of what was written above. A reasonable conclusion should be brief and powerful , as well as connected to the introduction. Besides, a good ending should contain a thesis of the whole law essay. However, don’t try to repeat your thesis word by word. Consider rephrasing it instead of mentioning the same statements so that the information is more easily digested for readers. Plus, you’ll need to provide a critical analysis of your work. For this, explain why your main argument backed up by primary and secondary sources is the highest point of conviction. Hence, your readers will see explicit reasoning and be more inclined to believe the truth you outlined in the paper. 

4. Bibliography

A bibliography is a mandatory part of the work, and also the last one. At the end of your essay, you should list the documents (laws and other regulations) and books that were used in preparation for the article. Works cited page will help you validate the credibility of work and show readers that all statements and opinions are proven with relevant evidence. However, it doesn’t mean that your bibliography ought to be inserted just after you’ve written the entire text. To have a better vision of what source to pick for citing, include the list of used materials before writing the final version of your law essay. Accordingly, you’ll see sources in their entirety and easily cite them whenever needed. 

The sayings of influential and famous people imbue any work with an air of authority . This is especially true for essays on law: professors appreciate it when students reinforce their considerations with the opinion of leaders and experts in their field.

Quotes for an essay on law are quite easy to find on the Internet or specialized digests.

Law essays

If you choose to close the paper with a quote, it’ll be a great hook which will keep readers impressed by the essay long after they digest it. But feel free to add meaningful sayings also in the introduction or in the middle of a paper. Either way, quotes are a tool that helps make your reading highly impactful and appreciated.  

law topics for essays

These were the top advice on how to create a distinct law paper. We hope our advice will help you prepare an interesting and informative essay for college or university studies that’ll be graded with the highest mark. Once you manage to operate on the subtle art of legal essay writing, you’ll adjust to the complexities of its realization without difficulties. If you’re in doubt questioning your writing abilities, use custom essay writer service – we will create the best law essay tailored specifically for you.

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American Legal System, Its Role and Functions Essay

The United States is a democratic country which relies on the rule of law to establish justice and protect constitutional rights of its citizens. The judicial system, which encompasses a network of courts, acts as a mechanism which upholds order by applying the law to resolve disputes and affects many aspects of our society, including business.

Before the supreme law of the United States, the constitution, was adopted, justice had been established by the Articles of Confederation ( Outline of the U.S. Legal System , 2004, p. 20). During that time, executive and legislative branches were not separated, and the role of the national government was performed by Congress. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, policy makers concluded that it was necessary to create a national judiciary ( Outline of the U.S. Legal System , 2004, p. 20). At the convention, the Virginia and New Jersey delegations presented two different plans which defined the legislative structure of the United States. The former plan was adopted and formed the basis of the United States judiciary as it exists today, with two systems of courts, federal and state courts.

The United States constitution divides the authority between federal and state courts ( The Constitution of the United States , art. III). The federal court system is comprised of the Supreme Court and two levels of federal courts, created by Congress. The two systems of federal courts are the United States district courts and courts of appeal ( The U.S. Legal System: A Short Description , n.d., p. 1). Nine judges of the Supreme Court hear appeals from lower courts in those cases if appeals concert violation of constitutional rights or federal law ( The U.S. Legal System: A Short Description , n.d., p. 2).

The Supreme Court has an authority over other courts and can change the verdict given by the lower court. This fact is possible due to the concept of judicial review, which is the foundation of the legislative system. The concept of judicial review implies that the decisions of state and federal courts are subject to review and change in cases the decisions violate constitutional rights of the United States citizens or any other existing law (Kramer, 2004). The concept of the judicial review is one of the safeguards that protect defendants from prejudice and unfair treatment.

The State Court system includes state courts, the function of which varies from state to state ( The U.S. Legal System: A Short Description , n.d., p. 2). Generally, most state courts have a limited jurisdiction and hear minor cases. In the state courts the decision is most often made by a single judge.

Alongside a traditional court system, a separate set of practices exist to support the resolution of legal disputes called alternative dispute resolution (ADR) (Mnookin, 1998, p. 56). ADR typically comes in a variety of forms as “mediation, arbitration, and a variety of “hybrid” processes by which a neutral facilitates the resolution of legal disputes without formal adjudication” (Mnookin, 1998, p. 56). Unlike a traditional court system, ADR can be used to find the resolution for those issues, which may not be considered appropriate for court based adjudication. In business, ADR can be used to resolve disputes between business partners or stakeholders. In addition, settlement conferences can be used to discuss and offer settlements to close the dispute without taking it to the court.

Any business operating in the United States is to comply with state and federal laws. As such, the actions of business owners and employees are guided by the laws and regulations which establish fair conditions for business operation. Several governmental agencies, such as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, exist to monitor business activities and prevent fraudulent practices. The judicial system plays an important part in administering justice and governing fair practices in the area of business. For example, if a business attempts to mislead its clients, the clients are free to take the dispute to the court for it to be resolved. Consumer rights are also protected by the state and national constitution.

For example, the right of privacy, which is outlined in the California’s constitution, has been used in court to cases against businesses which made inappropriate requests in regard to the employee’s personal life ( Rulon-Miller v. International Business Machines Corp. , n.d.). In the field of radiologic technology, a variety of standards and regulations exist that regulate the work of radiologic technologists. Some states require the radiologic technologists to have a specific certification in order to operate. At the same time, as other health care professionals, radiologic technologists are “subject to both criminal and civil penalties for misconduct in the course of carrying out professional duties” (Lynn, 1999, p. 257). The decisions radiologic technologists make are based upon the law in addition to personal and professional ethics.

The law and the judiciary play an important role in a democratic society and business. A democratic society relies on the rule of law to establish justice and protect human right, and business relies on it to ensure fair business practices. In addition to traditional court system, ADR helps businesses resolve disputes in a timely manner without taking the matter to the court.

Kramer, L. (2004). The People Themselves: Popular Constitutionalism and Judicial Review . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lynn, S. (1999). Ethics and law for the radiologic technologist. Radiologic Technology, 70 (3), 257-266.

Mnookin, R. (1998). Alternative Dispute Resolution . Web.

Outline of the U.S. Legal System . (2004). Web.

Rulon-Miller v. International Business Machines Corp . (n.d.). Web.

The Constitution of the United States. (1787). Web.

The U.S. Legal System: A Short Description . (n.d.). Web.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Structure a Law Essay (Tips from a Former LLB Lecturer)

    Restate key supporting arguments. The final stage of creating the plan of your law essay is to pick 2 to 3 key supporting arguments which you discussed in the main body of your paper and outline them again. This time, however, you will not be getting into a detailed discussion of how case law or statute sections justify your supporting arguments.

  2. How to Write a First-Class Law Essay

    At the same time, you'll need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively. In this article, we'll cover some top tips to guide you through the process of planning, researching, structuring and writing a first-class law essay with confidence. 1. Start In Advance. Give yourself plenty of time to plan, research and write your ...

  3. How to Write a Law Essay (with Pictures)

    To write a law essay, start by writing a thesis statement on your chosen topic. Phrase your thesis statement as an argument, using words like "because" or "therefore" to state your point. Write an outline of the arguments you will use to support your thesis statement, then use that outline to build the body of your paper. ...

  4. Law: Legal essay

    This resource offers tips and resources to help you plan and write law essays. There are usually two types of law essays: the theoretical based essay and the problem-style essay. The theoretical based essay may ask you to critically discuss a new piece of legislation or a recent case in relation to existing laws or legal principles.

  5. How to Write a Good Law Essay?

    The best way to do this is through using co-joining words such as 'in addition to,' 'moreover,' 'secondly', 'similarly', 'nevertheless.' etc. To show contrast, you could also use words such as, 'in contrast to, 'however, etc. This provides flow when a reader is going through the essay.

  6. How to Write First Class Law Essays

    A good essay will be rigourous in its legal argumentation and use of authority, but creative and original in its thesis. Good Luck. All first class essays will include: Attention to detail when considering the precise requirements of the question. An in-depth understanding and knowledge of the relevant law, accurately described.

  7. Structure Of Law Essays and Reports

    A good structure for a law report would be as follows: Title Page: showing the title of the report, the author, the person for whom the report is prepared, and the date of completion. Summary/Synopsis/Executive Summary: (approx 10% of word count) - this will identify: The purpose of the report, The scope of the report - issues covered/not ...

  8. PDF ORGANIZING A LEGAL DISCUSSION (IRAC, CRAC, ETC.)

    lawyers write in the same way: by laying out the issue to be discussed, the legal rule relevant to the issue, the analysis of the pertinent facts based on that rule, and the overall conclusion reached. Although this may sound daunting at first, it will quickly become second nature. Below is a primer on how to structure a legal argument using IRAC.

  9. Planning Your Law Essay

    Planning Your Law Essay. The next step is to plan your essay: as we identified, the minimum requirements will be an introduction, body and conclusion, unless you are dealing with a report or dissertation. When you have done some research, you may wish to make a rough plan of where you intend to go with the essay. For example:

  10. How To Write a Law Essay

    Writing legal essays can be challenging as it is distinct from writing other kinds of essays. To be able to write an effective essay on legal issues, the writer must have a background in law and be able to provide legal analysis. In addition, the writer must ensure that his writing is clear, precise, and responds to the question in simple English.

  11. 'Don't just vomit on the page': how to write a legal essay

    Writing a law essay is about digging deep to uncover uncertainty and complexity within the law, and to use this to argue a position. Law isn't The Hunger Games. There's no reason you can't share ...

  12. PDF How to Write a First Class Law Essay

    about the law as it stands today and how it might change or develop in the future. • Legal theory - A question about legal theory will require academic criticism about a specific law, case or area. Often these will take the form of a question or statement you will be asked to 'discuss'.

  13. How To Write A Good Law Essay

    Here are some practical and practical tips for planning a one good law essay. Highlight specific words and phrases in the essay's title. Take a brain dump for the words that you have highlighted and note them down. Find a connection between these phrases and words. Develop a strategy to come up with your answer basedon these phrases.

  14. How to Write a Law Essay

    How to Write a Law Essay: 8 Steps. 1. Choosing an Essay Topic. When it comes to writing a law essay, choosing an appropriate topic is crucial. A well-chosen topic will make your research and writing process smoother and more enjoyable, while a poorly chosen topic can lead to frustration and a lackluster essay.

  15. Academic Writing in Law

    In legal writing, issues are the core of the essay. This part of the essay should: Identify and state the issue; Name those involved (plaintiff and defendant) and briefly describe their individual issues; Work out what body of law may govern the resolution of the issue (e.g. Contract Law)

  16. Example Law Essays

    Legal Analysis of Donald Trump's Leadership Style. Example essay. Last modified: 4th Dec 2020. This essay aims to provide a thorough analysis of Trump as a political leader, based on Professor Greenstein's framework of presidential leadership that was put forth in his book The Presidential Difference...

  17. Guide For Writing a 1st Class Essay

    This guide will help you develop how use the skills needed to translate your knowledge of law into a professional and first-class answer. A few universities that teach law take the time to teach students how to write a first-class essay and, even more importantly, how to do it right. A well-organised essay is essential to getting the highest ...

  18. How to Write Compelling Law Essays?

    Writing a law essay can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can write a compelling and persuasive essay that can earn you top marks. In this blog, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a law essay to impress your professors. Step 1: Understand the question. Read and understand the question carefully.

  19. How to Write a Legal Essay

    Provide Clear Analysis. A key aspect of legal essay writing is your ability to analyze law principles and apply them to the facts at hand. Avoid merely summarizing cases or statutes; instead, critically analyze their implications and relevance to your point. Use reasoning and logic to support your interpretations and conclusions.

  20. Legal Writing: Start Writing Like a Lawyer!

    1. Get to the Point. First up, make your point and make it clearly, quickly and well. This might, in fact, be the biggest change from academic writing to legal writing. In an essay, it might work to start with a broad outline of the background, then move to the context, and then (a good few pages later) begin to outline your views. In legal ...

  21. How to write a Law Essay

    1. Analyse the Question. The starting point in writing a law is essay is to analyse the question and understand clearly what the question is all about. Ideally, one should start by identifying the area or topic of law. Once the topic is identified, the writer should analyse the question in light of the area of the law and understand what is it ...

  22. Learn to Write With Our Great Law Essay Example

    5. Quotes. First things first, let's discuss the legal essay scheme. It is rightly similar to the social science essay scheme. In both papers, it is necessary to explain a position on a particular issue or comment on a statement. For university law essay, especially in cases of specialties, it's more complicated.

  23. American Legal System, Its Role and Functions Essay

    American Legal System, Its Role and Functions Essay. Exclusively available on IvyPanda. The United States is a democratic country which relies on the rule of law to establish justice and protect constitutional rights of its citizens. The judicial system, which encompasses a network of courts, acts as a mechanism which upholds order by applying ...

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