General Flashcards
Why do you want to study law at Cambridge?
I think what fascinates me the most about law is how the law is a physical manifestation of what we deem as a society to be fair and moral. Spinoza says that law is the mathematics of freedom. and I think it’s interesting how this concept changes over time and how society and the law almost act in coevolution to each other. I think it’s interesting as to how the law is applicable to everyone and also nobody is above the law-it’s concrete but still dynamic.
Why the course at Cambridge?
I think for me what really stood out about the course at Cambridge was the idea of studying Roman law as a compulsory module which I think is really unique compared to other Law degrees. I also like the like the idea of the flexibility later on in the course and being able to choose what I want- I hope to choose Intellectual Property Law as one of my options in Year 3.
Tell mw why you’re interested in IP law
I think what I really enjoy about IP law is that there is a constant need to create and update new laws because the whole point of it is giving credit to new ideas. Especially with things like technology and even the pharmaceutical industry for Covid vaccines, you come across things that you have never seen before and you need to apply what you have approached before to regulate something new.
Tell me why you’re interested in Roman law
I think what interests me about Roman law is how it sort of lays the foundation for many bodies of law today. All of it’s contained in 4 books yet many principles are still upheld today, particularly in regards to property law. I feel like we are still governed by the principles that the Romans used to construct law and there’s early manifestations of a jury of some sort with a defendant and a plaintiff in the sense that a praetor has the sort of judge like power and he adopts his judges which are akin to a judiciary
Why is Law worth studying?
I think the reasin
What skills would make you suited to be a successful student at law?
I love to read for starters. But I think what is more important for a law student is to critically interpret large or complicated pieces of text and then apply them to the situation at hand which I think I have developed through my A-level English Literature course. But also being able to verbalise your argument succinctly and coherently in an effective manner is quite key to studying law as well which I believe I can do and I hope you see that.
Why is the course structured the way it is?
Well I know that there are four compulsory modules in year 1 which is supposed to give a solid legal foundation in constitutional, tort, criminal and Roman law and then the course sort of gives you free reign after that as you have developed baseline knowledge and progressed in your studies to form your own opinions. I know there is also the option of a dissertation with a seminar group in Year 3 which looks to be really interesting.
Can you tell me about a recent law case that you have been following? (criminal)
So it’s a Scottish case, a rape case against Logan Doig who was sentenced to 12-and-a-half year after he raped 4 women and sexually assaulted another. And I just felt that this wasn’t an act of justice towards the victims because the average sentencing for rape is 7 years but since Doig was under 25 his sentence was reduced. And I understand that the sentencing for younger people is supposed to be more rehabilitative and holistic but Doig blamed the victims and even the judge mentioned his lack of remorse so I just believe that even though he was young as 15 when he started the punishment is not suited to the crime- I really don’t see any excuse for rape even that young. There was a similar case with a guy called Sean Hogg who raped a 13 year old girl at 17 and had no prison time just community service.
What is your opinion on Rwanda?
I think in terms of its legal impact, the Rwanda ruling by the Supreme Court reinforces the significance of The Rule of Law. Even though there is Parliament Sovereignty, I think it’s important to note that the law is in the interest of the people and the ECHR and other international bodies make sure that every state must keep up with the notion of non-refoulement.
Why Clare college?
- Piano
- Central
- Outdoor spaces
Tell me about when the judiciary has stepped in place to supersede Parliament’s decision.
The Supreme Court’s decision regarding Boris Johnson’s recommendation to prorogue Parliament in regarding it unlawful. And I think it’s important that that decision was made in order to re-establish the Rule of Law that is important country
Do you think we should reform or abolish the House of Lords?
No, I don’t believe so. Although you can say that their place in government is anachronistic and outdated because it does not reflect the British population as the democratic House of Commons does, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t value in their presence. I think their place in Parliament is important because they act as sort of an outside opinion to the House of Commons which can check Parliament in their place. Even though we have the judiciary, I think it’s beneficial to have that political independence within the lawmaking process as well.
