Reading Suggestions from Cambridge Law Students

We asked current Cambridge Law students what books they would recommend for those who are thinking about studying law at university. Whether you are interested in human rights, the history of law, what it’s like to be a law student, or great court cases have shaped the world, these book recommendations will give you a great place to start.

The Rule of Law, Tom Bingham

“This book is a very accessible way of thinking of some of the fundamental issues surrounding law: when a law is fair, what we should expect from the legal system, what the law’s response to terrorism should be, etc. While doing so, it draws on cases that have been decided by the author itself. This book is a very rewarding read both if one is thinking of studying law and when one has already spend some time studying the subject.”

• Guillermo, 1st year Law student at Peterhouse College

Eve was Framed: Women and British Justice, Helena Kennedy

“Stories that give insight into the way women are treated by Britain’s legal system”

• Steph, 3rd year Law student at Fitzwilliam College

The Hamlyn Lecture series

“This is a long series of annual lectures given on topical issues of law (predominantly public law). Given they are public lectures, they’re made to be very accessible (so no/little prior knowledge is required); however they do very well at picking up on the policy concerns within specific areas of the law. I would, to be honest, recommend the whole series and suggest picking out whatever suits, but especially good, I found, was John Laws’ ‘The Common Law Constitution’.”

• Matthew, 3 year Law student at Girton College

What About Law? Catherine Barnard, Graham Virgo, Janet O’Sullivan

“Seminal.”

• Andrew, 3 year Law Student at Clare College

“This book is a great introductory guide to all of the mandatory topics you take in a law degree. Each is illustrated with a case study and a discussion of the principles and implications that came from it. I read this before my interview and I think it helps engage your brain in thinking analytically and how to take the ratio of a case and apply it by analogy to different facts to discover the legal principle.”

• Jennifer, Final Year Law student at Murray Edwards College

“Begins with a captivating opening chapter, which really puts into sharp focus the relevance of law in aspects of everyday life. Then goes through the seven main topics covered in a law degree in an understandable, interesting and compelling way — would 100% recommend to anyone considering studying law.”

• Lizzy, 3rd year Law student at Robinson College

“It is a taster of a variety of subjects. Some chapters I found especially interesting such as the one on criminal law, and constitutional law (subjects you stead first year here). It gave me something to talk about at interview to show I was genuinely interested in the subject.”

• Will, 1st year Law student at Pembroke College

“Written by a few of Cambridge’s top teaching staff and gives an insight, using an example of a case, into a variety of different subjects you would study during a law degree, in the hope of helping the reader decide whether law is for them.”

• 3rd year Law student at Cambridge

Five Ideas to Fight For, Anthony Lester

“This book is a highly accessible and engaging exploration of the development of human rights in English law over the last 50 years. It is not autobiographical. However, the author draws upon his experience as barrister, a campaigner with Amnesty International, a special adviser to the Home Secretary and a member of the House of Lords to personalise and give colour to what is both a potted legal history and an argument for strong legal protections of human rights.”

• Jack, 2nd year Law student at Hughes Hall

Jeremy Hutchinson’s Case Histories: From Lady Chatterly’s Lover to Howard Marks, Thomas Grant

“Following the career of the late Jeremy Hutchinson QC, this book is partly dramatised and reads like a fictional novel, covering a broad range of exciting and (in)famous cases, including the trial of the spy George Blake, and the obscene publications trial of D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’. While this does not portray what it is like to study law, it draws out the drama of law in practice, and demonstrates how the law can be shaped by political and sociological pressures.”

• James, 2nd year Law student at Jesus College

Learning the Law, Glanville Williams

“Simple and interesting introduction to various areas of law”

• Annabelle, 1st year Law student at Magdalene College

Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Michael Sandel

“It explores at great depth some of the most commonly debated philosophical and moral dilemmas such as affirmative action, utilitarianism and justice. It gives thought provoking arguments for and against each topic — an excellent read to sharpen your thought processes!”

• Jazreen, 2nd year Law student at Christ’s College

“Discusses ethical theories and morality, useful for developing reasoning”

• 1st year Law student at Girton

The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law, Albie Sachs

“Written by a South African judge who was an Apartheid activist. He helped draft South Africa’s Constitution. The book explores some of the complexities of post-Apartheid South Africa.”

• Micayla, 2nd year Law student at Wolfson College

“Whiteness as Property”, Cheryl Harris

“The article examines how the notion of whiteness has taken property law characteristics throughout American history to systematically privilege whites and oppress blacks.”

• Jessica, 1st year Law student at Lucy Cavendish College

Letters to a Law Student, Nicholas McBride

“Simply about learning law as a student in university. Book is very accessible and well-laid out. Very helpful for assuaging any pre-uni jitters.”

• Niamh, 1st year Law student at Downing College

“A useful book for the entire transitory period; thinking about studying law, the application process itself, what to do before coming to university, and what to do whilst studying university.”

• 3rd year Law student at Cambridge

Exploring your academic interests beyond the classroom is an important way for you to get to know your subject of interest. Reading is a great place to start, and books like those mentioned above can be excellent springboards for further thought and develop ideas that you can write about in your personal statement or discuss in your interview.

For further information on this type of super-curricular activity, see our post on Websites for Exploring your Subject in Law. For more on what the University looks for in a strong application, see the University’s website.

The information in this article is considered correct at the time of posting.