Summer reading

Here are some suggestions of reading materials which you may find useful in preparing for your studies.

Textbooks 

We are not providing a reading list for each module yet, because many of the publishers are still up-dating existing textbooks and producing new texts. The reading lists for each module will be finalised for the start of the semester. However, you might find it beneficial to do some general background reading. The following books are useful, but there are others available. It is not expected that you will read all of these books, but reading one or two, will be useful preparation for starting your degree. 

Study skills: 

Finch and Fafinski: Legal Skills, (9th Ed) 2023, OUP – This covers sources of law, academic and practical legal skills e.g. writing essays, mooting skills. Includes self-test questions. Links to a web site providing additional material. 

Strong, S: How to write Law Essays and Exams (6th Ed) 2022 OUP 

Herring, J: Legal Ethics (2nd Ed) 2017, OUP

Other introductory books:

Bradney et al: How to Study Law, (9th Ed) 2021, Sweet & Maxwell – Outline of the English legal system, sources of law, study skills, and careers in law. 

McBride, N Letters to a Law Student: A guide to studying law at university (4^th Ed) 2017, Blackwell – Part 1 of the book is not particularly relevant - advice if you are thinking of studying law, rather than advice if you are about to start a degree. The rest of the book is useful though, covering study skills, preparation for essay writing and exams, and careers. 

Moore, I and Newbery-Jones, C: The Successful Law Student, (1^st Ed) 2018, OUP – A guide offering the inside track on studying law, providing useful tips on how to succeed in your law degree and at university.

Smith, Glanville Williams: Learning the Law, (17th Ed) 2020, Sweet & Maxwell – Quite a traditional book, covering the English legal system, methods and skills for studying law, and careers

Dr. Jade Brailsford | LinkedIn

Dr. Ed Johnston | LinkedIn

Kirstie Best | LinkedIn

Kate Exall | LinkedIn

Simon Sneddon | LinkedIn

Nicola Smithers | LinkedIn

Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike PhD | LinkedIn

Dominic Watts, LLB, MSc, FHEA, EngTech MIGEM | LinkedIn

Dominic Carrington (FHEA) | LinkedIn

Kelly Ann Cannon | LinkedIn

You will also meet in welcome week:

Mick Sumpter

Sarah Willis

Kyla Lanford

https://www.youtube.com/user/johnst1981

Dr Ed Johnston from UONs Law Team has his own YouTube Channel, dedicated to all things criminal justice and he natters to some very interesting guests!

As you watch, think about:

• Would you have convicted the defendant? Why?

• What evidence influenced you most?

• Did any evidence seem more persuasive than it should have been?

• How much did other jurors influence the final decision?

• Did you notice any unconscious biases emerging during deliberations?

• Should juries be required to give reasons for their verdicts?

• Do you think trial by jury remains the best way of deciding serious criminal cases?

• If you were the defendant, would you want to be tried by a jury?

Watch an episode of a guest whose views differ from your own (politically, morally, or socially).

The aim is not to change your mind, but to understand:

• What values underpin their argument?

• Why might a reasonable person hold this view?

• What evidence do they rely upon?

This is an excellent introduction to legal reasoning, where lawyers must understand arguments they may personally disagree with.

TV: The Man in the High Castle, House of Cards, Silk 

Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas J McBride, Eve was Framed by Helena Kennedy, Is Eating People Wrong: Great Legal Cases and How They Shaped the World by Allan Hutchinson, The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken by The Secret Barrister.

You need to be aware of how the British political system works to help you better understand your modules and to be aware of what is going on in the world. A good starting point is to keep up-to-date with the news. 

You can visit the websites below to access broadsheet newspapers. These provide a better depth of coverage, comment and analysis on the news than the tabloid press. 

The Guardian  - Education section, plus Special Reports on various issues (e.g. Immigration, Asylum and Nationality), plus national and international news.

The Independent - Education section, plus news.

The Times - Law and Student sections, plus news.

The Telegraph - Education section, plus news. The education sections of the newspapers might be useful to look at in August and September, as they normally have features on starting university.

A good piece of preparation is to get used to listening to the news everyday. When we get into the first year semester one modules we will be discussing high profile events that have taken place related to the law, (such as a Prime Minister resigning, or maybe a conflict in the Middle East). It will help you in classes if you have some awareness of these, and once you get used to listening to the news you will quickly see that law (and the lack of it!) is involved in many parts of our lives.

You should of course listen to the news with a critical ear; don't believe everything without question! You could therefore do a lot worse than listening to the Today programme on Radio 4 each morning, as well as the excellent Al Jazeera; you don't even need to keep your eyes open to hear what is being discussed 😊

Visit a local county or criminal court and see how the courts deal with the cases before them. This will give you an idea of how the advocates present their case, the language used and of court room etiquette. It will also show you what factors the courts consider when reaching a decision and the penalties or remedies that are ordered. 

Anyone can visit a local court, you may like to start by visiting a Magistrates or Crown Court in your local area. If you speak to the reception and let them know you are a law student they will usually advise on the best court room to sit in.

The Supreme Court streams its cases online, so if you are interested in advocacy and would like to see some law in action, visit the Supreme Court website and watch a case or two!

To help you get a taste of studying law before you arrive, we've put together a selection of warm-up activities for you to explore. These activities are designed to introduce you to some key legal skills and concepts and to help you start thinking like a law student.

Please don't feel that you need to complete everything. These activities are entirely optional and are intended for your interest, enjoyment and curiosity. Whether you choose to try one activity or several, we hope they give you an engaging introduction to the study of law.

We look forward to meeting you in September and wish you an enjoyable summer of legal exploration!

Before becoming law, a Bill must pass through several stages in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, where it is debated, examined and often amended. Once both Houses agree on the final version, the Bill receives Royal Assent from the monarch and becomes an Act of Parliament.

Why are Bills important?

Bills are where laws begin. By following a Bill, you can see:

• How new laws are created.

• How politicians, experts, and the public influence legislation.

• How legal rules evolve to address social, economic, and technological changes.

• Why some proposed laws succeed while others fail.

Summer Activity:

Your challenge is to choose one bill, follow its progress through Parliament over the summer, and identify:

1. What problem the bill is trying to solve.

2. Who supports or opposes it.

3. Who it could affect.

4. Whether you think it should become law and why.

   
   

This is exactly the kind of critical thinking you'll use throughout your law degree.

Search here:

Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Current Bills:

Public Office (Accountability) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Health Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Cohabitation Rights Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Here are a few accessible pieces that open up some of those questions. They are not “formal readings”, so feel free to read or listen to whichever ones catch your attention.

The coal mine that ate an Indian village
A powerful story about mining, forests, Indigenous communities, corporate power and consent.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/20/india-adani-coal-mine-kete-hasdeo-arand-forest-displaced-villages

How to move a country: Fiji’s radical plan to escape rising sea levels
A fascinating piece on climate relocation, planning, culture, gender and what it actually means to move communities.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/08/how-to-move-a-country-fiji-radical-plan-escape-rising-seas-climate-crisis

What is climate justice?
A useful explainer if you want a clear starting point for thinking about climate change, responsibility and inequality.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-what-is-climate-justice/

Powering inequity: lithium mining’s impacts on Indigenous communities and ecosystems in the Andes
A short podcast on the green transition, lithium mining and why “clean energy” is not always socially or environmentally clean.
https://www.sei.org/podcasts/powering-inequity-lithium-minings-impacts-indigenous-communities-ecosystems-andes/

Greenwashing, illegality and false claims: 13 climate litigation wins in 2025
A quick look at how courts and legal action are being used to challenge environmental harm, weak climate action and misleading claims.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/31/greenwashing-illegality-false-claims-climate-litigation-wins-2025

As you read, think about this: who benefits, who carries the burden, and what would justice actually require?

Also see: National Emergency Briefing

Activity: Presenting Research at the Liverpool John Moores University Annual Law Symposium

I recently had the opportunity to attend and present at the Liverpool John Moores University Annual Law Symposium. My paper, “Bridging International Human Rights Law and Global Governance Through Policy Implementation,” examined how international human rights commitments can be translated into meaningful outcomes through effective governance and policy implementation.

Drawing on findings from the Chisomejé Rural Women Rising Project (CRWRP), I explored the challenges faced by rural women when international commitments are not effectively implemented at the local level. The presentation highlighted the importance of accountability, participation, and strong policy delivery mechanisms in ensuring that human rights frameworks have a tangible impact on people’s lives.

This experience reinforced the value of research-informed policy and demonstrated how legal scholarship can contribute to addressing real-world social and development challenges.

I am grateful to the organisers for hosting such an engaging and thought-provoking symposium.

Activity: Addressing the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent: Advancing Reparatory Justice for Rural Women

I recently had the opportunity to address the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland. During my intervention, I discussed the importance of ensuring that reparatory justice goes beyond acknowledging historical injustices and addresses present-day inequalities, structural exclusion, and invisible labour.

My presentation focused on the experiences of rural women of African descent, including market women, smallholder farmers, and climate-vulnerable producers. I highlighted how these women make significant contributions to local economies and food systems yet often remain excluded from decision-making processes and justice frameworks.

A key message from my intervention was that reparatory justice should recognise rural women as rights-holders, integrate their contributions into policy frameworks, and support their access to climate finance, land rights, and protection within agrifood systems.

This experience reinforced the importance of connecting human rights, gender equality, climate justice, and sustainable development in international policymaking. It also demonstrated how research and advocacy can contribute to shaping global discussions on justice and inclusion.

Activity: Serving as a 2026 Diana Award Lead Judge: Recognising the Next Generation of Change Makers

I am honoured to serve as a 2026 Lead Judge for the Diana Award, an international charity established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales (Princess Diana). The Diana Award recognises and celebrates young people who are making a positive difference in their communities and creating meaningful social change around the world.

In this role, I have the opportunity to review and assess the achievements of outstanding young changemakers whose work advances human rights, social justice, environmental sustainability, community development, and youth empowerment.

This experience has reinforced the important role that young people play in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The nominees demonstrate remarkable leadership, creativity, resilience, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Serving as a Lead Judge has provided valuable insights into how young people are driving innovation and creating impact at local, national, and global levels. It also highlights the importance of recognising and supporting youth leadership as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

The experience aligns closely with my work in human rights, sustainability, gender equality, and climate justice, and serves as a reminder that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are already leading change today.

Georgia Boyd, Simon Sneddon, and Ed Johnston attended the SLSA Annual Conference 2026, held between Monday 30 March and Wednesday 1 April 2026 at the University of Sussex campus in Falmer, Brighton. The Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) has hosted its Annual Conference since its founding in 1990. The conference plays a central role in the dissemination of knowledge within the field of socio-legal studies. Each year, a team of stream convenors delivers over 30 regular streams, alongside one-off sessions addressing emerging themes and contemporary debates.

At the 2026 conference, Georgia Boyd presented a paper in the Gender, Sexuality and Law stream. She examined the use of vignettes in sensitive research, highlighting their value in semi-structured interviews when exploring topics such as sexual assault. Georgia also reflected on her strategy of recruiting hard-to-reach participants through her personal Instagram. In addition, she addressed the ethical and methodological challenges of researching issues including rape myths, sexual assault, and OnlyFans.

Simon’s paper (“3-Body Problem: Legal Education, Employability and Artificial Intelligence”) used the astrophysics-based 3-body problem to explain the chaotic relationship between legal education, employability (both for the legal profession and more widely) and the growing use of AI. He also looked at the graduate skills which recruitment agencies list as the key ones for law graduates, and called for a greater focus in legal education on the skills which cannot be replicated or enhanced by AI.

 Ed Johnston’s paper, Early Engagement, Unequal Justice: The Two-Tier Reality of Pre-Charge Defence Work, asked whether defence lawyers in England and Wales remain zealous, client-focused advocates or have been recast as managerial actors shaped by efficiency and cost pressures. It argues that although Pre-Charge Engagement can, in principle, narrow issues, expose weaknesses, and prevent unnecessary prosecutions, empirical and doctrinal analysis shows it is rarely used in legal-aid practice because it is poorly understood, mistrusted, and inadequately funded. By contrast, privately funded cases show that intensive early engagement can often avoid prosecution, revealing that the benefits of PCE are real but distributed in a structurally unequal way.

On Wednesday 3 June 2026, members of UON Law team took part in the Northampton Legal Walk, joining legal professionals from across the county to raise funds to support to support free legal advice services in our community.

Representing UON were Simon, Mick, Dan, Cynthia and Kate, alongside several of our students. Fortunately, the weather was on our side, making for an enjoyable evening and a great opportunity to support an important cause.

The Northampton Legal Walk raises funds that are distributed through Northamptonshire Community Foundation to organisations providing vital support to people experiencing housing insecurity, debt, financial hardship and social inequality.

We are delighted to report that an impressive £5,000 has been raised so far to support these advice charities.

A particular highlight was seeing our students take part. The walk provided an excellent networking opportunity, allowing them to meet and chat with members of the local legal profession, helping them to build valuable connections and gain insight into the sector.

The event was a great success, combining fundraising, community engagement and professional networking and we look forward to supporting future Legal Walks.

“The Commercial Awareness session was both engaging and insightful. It provided a practical understanding of how commercial awareness applies within the legal profession, particularly the importance of understanding how businesses operate and the factors that influence decision-making. I found the advice on researching a firm’s work, recent developments, and values before interviews especially valuable. The session also reinforced that all experiences, whether legal or non-legal, contribute transferable skills and can strengthen a CV. Thank you to Kevin Rogers for sharing his expertise and to Georgia Boyd for organising such a beneficial event.” – Tania Janan

“As a law student at the University of Northampton, I find it particularly useful to attend Q/A sessions with practicing lawyers, as it gives a valuable insight into the profession, and gives an opportunity to find out what employers are looking for when hiring. I am very pleased to have attended the session with Kevin Rogers, Chair at Wilson Browne Solicitors. Such a real-world interaction with an experienced lawyer raised my commercial and legal awareness, which I am keen on applying in my future career!” – Yulianna Skakun

On Wednesday 24^th June, Law LLB students welcomed Coroner Hassan Shah to their workshop to run a Mock Inquest.

Hassan is currently a partner at EMW Law and is co-head of the Northampton office. Hassan was appointed Assistant Coroner for Northamptonshire in 2014. Hassan told students how he was the first member of his family to attend university, coming from a non-English speaking family and how he progressed to become a partner at EMW Law and co-head of the Northampton Office, as well as an Assistant Coroner.

In this session students engaged with a real scenario from an Inquest and played characters such as the coroner, doctors, hospital representatives, and the deceased’s family members. This workshop was organised by Georgia Boyd and Kate Exall from the Law team, alongside Dan Jasinski who said that ‘the inquest is a cornerstone of our justice system. Yet its scope, purpose and processes are often left off the curriculum. This session has realised long-held goal of mine to see this change. The fact that students were able to learn via a real case, from the coroner who decided it, only added to the quality of the experience. My thanks to Georgia, Kate and Hassan for organising the session’.

This immersive and experiential workshop provided students with an opportunity to experience an Inquest, understand proceedings, and learn more about Coronial work. Students were allocated roles and gave evidence at the inquest, made decisions, and established who died, when, where and how. Hassan then talked students through writing a Prevention of Future Death’s report and the impact of these reports. Overall, it was an exciting day and a great opportunity for students to practice their legal skills and learn about a new area of law as well as understanding how many areas of law crossover, discussions centred around Coronial law, Tort Law, Criminal Law and more!

Tania Janan a current LLB student who attended said: ‘the workshop was extremely informative and helped develop my understanding of inquests, an area of law I previously knew very little about. The mock inquest provided a clear insight into the purpose of an inquest, how proceedings are conducted, and the role of the coroner in identifying concerns and issuing Prevention of Future Deaths reports. Participating in the mock inquest also gave me valuable practical insight into the role of expert witnesses within inquest proceedings. Overall, the session was engaging, well-structured, and highly beneficial.’