Baktash Shah

What motivated you to study at university?

University provides an opportunity to progress even further into the world. It grants a multitude of skills that may be necessary when finding work, such as critical thinking and analysis.

This is important as jobs will require you to have a wide skillset, therefore, university providing these skills will assist in doing so.

It will also provide knowledge that you will not have gotten prior and can be used in the workplace to further your knowledge.

University will also provide opportunities such as networking and career development which will benefit the student.

Students can also find independence and responsibility in university as it requires them to manage both their time and finances.

What opportunities and experiences has The City Law School offered you so far?

The City Law School has offered me many opportunities, one of which is the Micro-Placement programme.

It allows students to experience working in the real world and gives them an opportunity to determine if a job is the path they wish to take. Many areas of work, such as law and politics, are offered in this programme.

The City Law School also has events such as court visits and these may be of interest to anyone who wishes to study in the legal sector in the future.

Many competitions are also available to anyone who has an interest and these can include mooting and court competitions.

These will be of high importance to anyone who wishes to study in the legal field as they provide the opportunity to experience what it feels like working in the sector.

A variety of pro-bono activities are also available and can help the student in determining what they wish to do.

What opportunities and experiences has the rest of City St George's offered you so far?

City St George's provides many opportunities, one of which is societies. The university has an abundance of societies which students can join.

From cultural to sporting societies such as volleyball, students have the opportunity to explore many fields and may wish to join and possibly create their own in the university.

These also have many events within them and can provide students with the opportunity to visit new places and learn things which they would not have known. Being part of a society can also provide benefits such as discounts to events.

Many discounts are available as a university student and should be taken as they can reduce the costs of items, such as books and technology.

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My favourite module so far has been International Law. International law is not only the study of law across the world, but also within nations themselves and the problems it faces and creates.

Many organisations and nations employ this law to amicably resolve disputes when it concerns nations on a global scale.

However, when the law is breached, laws such as the Geneva Convention and other laws which govern the rules of war are implemented.

It is different in that you do not have to focus on a specific country or ruling as many nations will be discussed. It provides a wealth of knowledge that would be useful if you chose to go into international law.

What advice would you give to someone considering an undergraduate law degree?

If you wish to do an undergraduate law degree, then you must determine if you wish to go into the legal sector. While it has many opportunities, it also has a variety of hurdles. Studying can be burdensome - but with the right methods, this can be taken care of.

It also provides knowledge that will significantly increase your opportunities in the future. Prospective students should speak with current students and discuss whether a law degree is suitable for them.

Law is a fascinating subject - if you especially enjoy learning and criticising judgements and rulings, then it may be an excellent choice.

What is the best film or TV show with a legal theme that you have watched and why?

The best TV show would have to be Vincenzo. Although Korean, it provides a protagonist with a just, but morally ambiguous method in which he uses to apply justice. You will follow him prior to being in court as there are many procedures which must be taken before someone is sentenced.

From the pre-trial proceedings, you will witness many issues within the law and how the law is unjust and can be exploited for personal gain.

Meeting the opposing side and discussing terms will also be important as both sides should agree on what they are disputing and is frequently displayed within the show.

Vincenzo will then have to use the evidence he gained and present it before the judge who will hopefully administer justice.

While there are action scenes and some themes which are not explicitly legal, it nevertheless provides a good illustration of the law, ways in which it is used, and the exploits that people and businesses use it for.