law essays
Our law essay tutors help you plan, research and write better law essays and coursework, and give you detailed feedback on your drafts. Below is our step by step guide to writing a first class law essay.
How our law essay tutors help
Tutoring
- One to one essay technique sessions
- Understanding the question and the marking criteria
- Research and reading strategy
Feedback
- Feedback on essay plans and drafts
- Marking against your university's criteria
- Proofreading of your own work, within your university's rules
Exams
- Timed essay practice
- Problem question technique
- Exam revision
What makes a first class law essay
A first class law essay draws an intellectually stimulating and complete picture of its subject. To reach the top marks, your essay needs analytical depth: you must critique the law, not just describe it, and justify your criticisms with authority, such as judicial approaches in cases and academic views in journal articles.
The most common criticism of law essays is that they are too descriptive. A descriptive essay states what the law is with little or no analysis. Because essay questions require critical evaluation, a largely descriptive essay does not answer the question and will struggle to reach even a lower second.
Answer the question that has been set, not the one you hoped for. Many students try to show everything they know, relevant or not. Irrelevant material wastes words and suggests you have not understood the question. The best answers are focused, detailed and precise.
Writing a law essay, step by step
These steps work for coursework and, with less time for research, for essay questions in exams.
1. Read the question
It sounds obvious, but misreading a question, often in a rush of adrenaline, can mean answering only half of it or missing the point altogether. Identify the instruction words (discuss, critically evaluate, assess), the area of law and any quotation or proposition you are asked to respond to.
2. Read around the subject
Academic writing goes well beyond a summary of the law. Journal articles and books critique the law rather than just describing it, and that critique is what your examiner is looking for. Start with your textbook and note the articles in its footnotes. When you read an article, look at the abstract, introduction and conclusion first to judge its relevance, then follow its own citations. With little extra effort your research becomes broader, deeper and more original.
3. Make a plan
Once you understand the debate, plan before you write. A simple plan of your argument and structure keeps the essay coherent and stops you contradicting yourself, for example by introducing one position and then relying on evidence that points the other way. Decide your answer to the question first; a coherent argument begins with a plan.
4. Draft the body first
Start drafting once your research and plan are complete. Write the main body before the introduction and conclusion, so that the introduction accurately reflects the arguments you actually make. Give each argument its own paragraph. Many writers place their two strongest arguments first and last, so the reader starts and finishes with a good impression.
Make your introduction and conclusion engaging and topical. Linking the law to its wider context, such as a recent case, reform proposal or event in the news, shows the examiner you understand why the issue matters.
5. Reference properly
Support every legal point with authority and reference it accurately and consistently. Most UK law schools use OSCOLA (the Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities). Check your module handbook for the required style and whether footnotes count towards the word limit.
6. Review your work
Leave time to review. On a practical level it lets you correct spelling, grammar and referencing errors. Academically, it lets you check that every paragraph answers the question and that your arguments are as strong as they can be. A critical friend or tutor will spot problems you overlook, because your mind fills in what your eyes miss. Our tutors can review your drafts and give detailed feedback, within your university's rules on proofreading.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing the law instead of evaluating it
- Ignoring the exact wording of the question
- Relying only on a textbook
- Making claims without authority
- Inconsistent or incomplete referencing
- Going over the word limit
Academic integrity
Our tutoring, feedback and study materials are there to help you learn and to improve your own work. Any work you submit for assessment must be your own, written in line with your university's rules on academic integrity, proofreading and the use of AI tools. See our fair use policy.
How it works
- Tell us what you need. Request a quote or message us on WhatsApp with your course, modules and deadlines.
- Meet your tutor. We match you with a tutor who has excelled in the same course or exam and suits your learning style.
- Learn one to one. Sessions run online by Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or in person in London, at times that fit around your studies or work.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tutor give feedback on my essay draft?
Yes. Our tutors review plans and drafts and explain how to strengthen your argument, structure, use of authority and referencing.
Do you help with problem questions too?
Yes. Our tutors teach problem question technique, including identifying the issues and applying the law to the facts.
Which referencing style should I use?
Most UK law schools use OSCOLA, but always follow your module handbook.
Can I use AI tools for my law essay?
Only as your university allows. Rules differ between universities and modules, so check your handbook before using any AI tool.
Our minimum booking is normally 10 hours, and you can change tutor at any time. Request a quote or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
