Universities not to blame

I refer to the letter in The Lawyer, 2 June, which pins the blame for the fact that "there are too many candidates for far too few places" with firms on "schools and universities" advising students to go into law.

This seems to me to be an entirely misconceived approach. Pupils from school choose to study the subject which they most want to study. Universities offer places to students who apply to them.

Most law departments are careful not to give a misleading impression to their students about the availability of places in either branch of the profession. But we all take into account the fact that a law degree is a very good qualification for entry to many occupations.

University graduates are generally over 21 by the time they graduate; they are adults able to make their own choices and take their own responsibility for their own futures.

If more graduates choose to take the Bar Vocational Course or the Legal Practice Course than the professionals can absorb, they do so with their eyes open. I see no reason why the profession should feel guilty or pin guilt on the universities for the fact that more people want to enter the legal professions than there is room for.



Professor Dawn Oliver

Dean & head of department

Faculty of Laws

University College London