Career Pathway: Law and Legal Practice
Think like a lawyer: legal systems, the major areas of law, and the skills of research, writing and advocacy.
Law students are expected to read closely, reason precisely and argue fairly. This pathway gives students that experience early. Each module combines in-depth theory with long case studies (for example, a contract dispute between a supplier and a retailer, or how a securities regulator investigates insider dealing), followed by questions that ask students to apply the law, weigh arguments and reach a reasoned conclusion. The classroom phase ends with a mock trial; the placement is spent with a law firm, chambers, a corporate legal department or a legal aid organisation.
- Length
- 6 months, three days a week
- Classes
- 4.5 months, at the centre or online
- Placement
- 1.5 months
- Ages
- 15–18
What students get
Module 1: Legal systems
Sources of law, common law and civil law traditions, the constitution and the courts.
Module 2: Contract and company law
Formation, terms, breach and remedies; companies, directors, and securities and exchange law.
Module 3: Criminal law and justice
Elements of offences, defences, evidence, procedure and the rights of the accused.
Module 4: Tort, property and family law
Negligence, nuisance and defamation; property; marriage, children and inheritance.
Module 5: Rights and international law
Fundamental rights, judicial review, treaties and international courts.
Module 6: Legal skills
Research, case briefs, legal writing, negotiation, advocacy, professional ethics and the mock trial.
Every topic, three ways
In-depth theory, a long case study of about 1,000 words, and practice questions with model answers.
Placement and capstone
Six weeks with legal professionals and a capstone presented to a panel.
Learn the field, then practise it
4.5 months
Classes three days a week, at the centre or online: theory, case studies and practice questions.
1.5 months
Placement with a host organisation in the field, guided by a mentor.
Capstone
A mock trial, policy brief, campaign plan or project presented to professionals.
After
Portfolio, mentor reference and university and degree advice.
Three pathways with full programmes
Law and Legal Practice
Legal systems, contract, criminal, constitutional and international law, legal writing, advocacy and a mock trial.
You are herePublic Administration and Civil Services
How government works, policy, public finance, management, ethics and the skills of public service.
See the programmePolitics, Policy and Advocacy
Political systems, policy analysis, campaigns, media and international relations, strictly non-partisan.
See the programmeFields we plan pathways in
Every pathway is personal. Choose any field below in the enrolment form and we build the plan, the reading and the placement around it.
Real materials, ready from day one
Every Career Pathway: Law and Legal Practice student works from original Spectrum materials, written by our teachers, printed for class and available online in the Spectrum portal.
- 18 course packs and plans
- 2 guides for teachers and parents
- A student handout for every slide deck, with space for notes
- Answer keys and teaching notes for every teacher
Courses in this programme
Enrolled students and teachers open these materials in the Spectrum portal. Course materials are released in stages as the course runs.
| Course | Materials | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Complete course pack: six modules (theory, two case studies of about 1,000 words each, practice with model answers), slide decks, mentor guide and mock-trial pack (available now) | 26 | 331 |
Also in this pathway
Career Pathways (6 months)
Career Pathway: Public Administration and Civil Services
Career Pathway: Politics, Policy and Advocacy
Enrol in Career Pathway: Law and Legal Practice
Tell us about the student’s interests and goals. Every Career Pathway is planned around one student, so this helps us build the right plan and find the right mentor and host.
Questions about Career Pathway: Law and Legal Practice?
Questions about programmes, fees or a free diagnostic? We reply within two working days.
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