In secondary school before starting my university days, I was lucky enough to do
quite a bit of traveling. One thing I was looking forward to in my
travels was getting to use my law lens. I try to travel as much as I can
and this was the first time I was doing so after secondary school. I was curious as
to whether the effects of studying law on how I perceive things would
persist even when my mind was ‘on vacation’ during traveling. Of course,
I couldn’t be sure beforehand because after all the law is
jurisdictional, right? (My sense of humour may still be on vacation). In
the spirit of legal reasoning, I will state the conclusion now so you
don’t have to read the rest of the decision if you so choose: the
effects of legal training do in fact cross borders.
I was struck by how I still saw legal issues everywhere, regardless of what country or continent I was in, and by how frequently I was reminded of something specific I had learned in law school. One instance occurred in a bout of jetlag that left me unable to sleep at what was 2 am and who knows what time/space continuum point for my circadian rhythm. I was listening to a radio show on my phone when one character happened to use the phrase ‘the most astute of you or the least un-astute’. Instead of laughing at the punch-line which followed, I immediately thought of how Chief Justice McLachlin had an issue with rephrasing the Smithers test from ‘not insignificant’ to ‘significant’. I recalled her discussion of how there is an important distinction between the phrase ‘I like him’, and ‘I don’t dislike him’, which I’m sure has been the subject of many an awkward Valentine’s day card. It’s safe to say the average listener probably didn’t have this reflexive response to what was a perfectly normal joke.
In the streets I would see signs which had both English and another language on them and automatically think, ‘Are they both constitutionally required to be there? I wonder if there is a leading case on this…Did someone litigate over how small the font of one language was? Is it up to the national government or the municipal government? Is the municipal government a creature of statute or does it have separate constitutional standing? Is that Guinness mug for sale?’ All these substantive legal questions trailed in my mind in one way or another during my trip.
I think the effects of legal training on the mind are similar
regardless of the jurisdiction in which you study.
I was privileged to converse with my good buddy Merife Uche who is currently in law school Abuja, we were chatting about law in general and our respective fields, and he said something that really intrigued me. He told me about a good friend of his who had just started her legal career in litigation. He said he was so impressed with the way she saw real world problems and came up with a strategy for solving them and carried through in a very efficient manner. He had noticed her tendency for the organized anticipation of issues which helped her navigate the world around her. ‘She goes from court to court and case to case all over, and she is so confident.’ It was reassuring to think the mental discipline, focus and confidence that we strive to build while students of the law will shape our characters in lasting ways. So, while it may be strange for BBC radio shows and street signs to trigger thoughts of SCC decisions, it is but a by-product of a far greater training our minds are undergoing.
For ms Ikerionwu Cynthia who said its very difficult, its neither exciting nor rosy but at the same time ver argumentative because you have to be able to always prove your point.
For Stephen Orji he said its different for him, its fun, stressful n study-full. he said and i quote ''the fear of not going to law school with your mates is the beginning of wisdom'' lol.
For ms Stephenie Efemena life of a law student has been exciting and sweet for her...and that it has taught her a lot.
For ms Nwoke Chibuzor its been academically challenging, socially terrifying...u have to talk to so many people so you don't get to be tagged a snob, and also wear good handbags and shoes so as not to be a social pariah.
For iamFreeman Igwe "i never really thought about this untill zinny asked me to write my opinion about it. Honestly i never really wanted to be a law student but finally here am i and truthfully i started enjoying it in my first year, although it can get crazy with the cases and law reports but i have no regrets"
well i could go on and on with the issue but hey the comment box is open for all who has got other opinion which they want to share
xoxo zee!
I was struck by how I still saw legal issues everywhere, regardless of what country or continent I was in, and by how frequently I was reminded of something specific I had learned in law school. One instance occurred in a bout of jetlag that left me unable to sleep at what was 2 am and who knows what time/space continuum point for my circadian rhythm. I was listening to a radio show on my phone when one character happened to use the phrase ‘the most astute of you or the least un-astute’. Instead of laughing at the punch-line which followed, I immediately thought of how Chief Justice McLachlin had an issue with rephrasing the Smithers test from ‘not insignificant’ to ‘significant’. I recalled her discussion of how there is an important distinction between the phrase ‘I like him’, and ‘I don’t dislike him’, which I’m sure has been the subject of many an awkward Valentine’s day card. It’s safe to say the average listener probably didn’t have this reflexive response to what was a perfectly normal joke.
In the streets I would see signs which had both English and another language on them and automatically think, ‘Are they both constitutionally required to be there? I wonder if there is a leading case on this…Did someone litigate over how small the font of one language was? Is it up to the national government or the municipal government? Is the municipal government a creature of statute or does it have separate constitutional standing? Is that Guinness mug for sale?’ All these substantive legal questions trailed in my mind in one way or another during my trip.
I was privileged to converse with my good buddy Merife Uche who is currently in law school Abuja, we were chatting about law in general and our respective fields, and he said something that really intrigued me. He told me about a good friend of his who had just started her legal career in litigation. He said he was so impressed with the way she saw real world problems and came up with a strategy for solving them and carried through in a very efficient manner. He had noticed her tendency for the organized anticipation of issues which helped her navigate the world around her. ‘She goes from court to court and case to case all over, and she is so confident.’ It was reassuring to think the mental discipline, focus and confidence that we strive to build while students of the law will shape our characters in lasting ways. So, while it may be strange for BBC radio shows and street signs to trigger thoughts of SCC decisions, it is but a by-product of a far greater training our minds are undergoing.
Peoples Opinion About Life Of A Law Student.
I was privileged to talk to few people about it n here's their response.
For ms Ikerionwu Cynthia who said its very difficult, its neither exciting nor rosy but at the same time ver argumentative because you have to be able to always prove your point.
For Stephen Orji he said its different for him, its fun, stressful n study-full. he said and i quote ''the fear of not going to law school with your mates is the beginning of wisdom'' lol.
For ms Stephenie Efemena life of a law student has been exciting and sweet for her...and that it has taught her a lot.
For ms Nwoke Chibuzor its been academically challenging, socially terrifying...u have to talk to so many people so you don't get to be tagged a snob, and also wear good handbags and shoes so as not to be a social pariah.
For iamFreeman Igwe "i never really thought about this untill zinny asked me to write my opinion about it. Honestly i never really wanted to be a law student but finally here am i and truthfully i started enjoying it in my first year, although it can get crazy with the cases and law reports but i have no regrets"
well i could go on and on with the issue but hey the comment box is open for all who has got other opinion which they want to share
xoxo zee!
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