In this discussion, we shall tackle how to study law books effectively. A law book is a work of legal doctrine; it consists of law talk or propositions of law. In his book Law Book And Book About Law, Richard L. Abelt used the term as the study of the rules which the legal institutions apply, or which regulates the behavior of those institutions.
It seeks to define, identify, organize, and criticize the rules using criteria that may be proper to the legal system. The earliest forms as to what resemble law books today were in papyrus forms such as those bible manuscripts excavated and others.
Whether those earlier laws of the Egyptians codified and carved in stones could be considered as the pioneer forms of law books, it would depend obviously, as books require handiness in usage.
There may be two basic types of law books as to format, among others, the Case Book and the Question-and-Answer Book. The case book usually refers to those that contain selections of materials on a particular subject.
However, instead of just laying down the legal doctrines and explanation thereof, it contains excerpts of cases decided by the Supreme Court wherein the law of that area or subject is applied.
Whereas, the question-and-answer law books are those usually containing bar questions with suggested answers, either by legal doctrines or provisions of law or by jurisprudence. Law students are using the case book type as textbooks while question and answer type are utilized during the review for bar preparation.
How to study law books effectively?
So, how do we study law books effectively? As a student of law, the most noble of the professions and the most difficult course to study, the hardest part is studying law books.
As practiced by most and which I found useful too, there are two stages of studying law books:
The first is the preparation stage, this is the part where a law student should prepare the book, the place, the time, and himself to study.
- It is important for the choice of book reference that would match with the style of the professor or much better if the book is the preferred and used by the professor.
- It is important also to designate a permanent place in your home to study, where you can focus on the readings without distractions.
- To designate the time of the day or night where you are comfortable to study.
- It is important that your body and mind are in synch to study and must be healthy and with enough sleep. This does not mean if you’re not healthy you might forego studying as exams and recitations will not adjust to your health.
The second stage is the actual style, conduct, or means of the above. In so doing, it is found very helpful the following:
- Stay away from distractions such as phones and distracting music and keep everything within reach by hand.
- Use your watch to keep a tab of time to monitor your progress and schedule of readings.
- Read each paragraph of each page and find the case statement or the most important sentence in the paragraph then mark it and make a comment on it in relation to a law, rule or question that you learned. You can write beside the paragraph or make personal notes on it.
- Highlight the most important statement then go back and read the paragraph again as if you are to memorize it, apply it to the rest of the paragraphs in the page.
- Read all those marked or highlighted portions and those comments or written notes and try to correlate everything by answering questions or case statements.
- Do the same process to the rest of the pages of the assigned topic, use a bookmark to determine where you left.
- Rewrite the highlighted sentences or statements with the written remarks or notes and your answers to such cases. Read these notes again and again if you have time.
What books should a law student read?
As mentioned, law students should read the book, which the law professor recommends. If none, then, the book where the style of presentation matches the professor’s conduct of discussion. Incidentally, a should somehow be a .
For the preparation of the bar, aside from knowledge of , reference books authored by legal luminaries and authorities in the subject matter, as endorsed by most of the students in law schools, are good materials also.
In general, law students shall read books on criminal law, political law, commercial law, civil law, labor law, taxation law, and remedial law, including legal ethics. may prove helpful too.
In particular, books on subjects included in the syllabus for each semester should be read. The students can also focus on the eight subjects included in the bar exam which are criminal law, mercantile law, political law and international law, remedial law, legal ethics and practical exercises, civil law, taxation, labor law and social legislation.
Law students may confine their readings on these subjects to pass their and classes and to eventually prepare for the bar exam. They will be guided by the curriculum of subjects which are given to them at the start of their freshman year.
There are good books which discuss important doctrines of law in the form of novels. Nonetheless, because of time constraints, it is recommended that law students should concentrate their readings on books relevant to their subjects in the syllabus or in preparation for the class or bar exam.
How can I study law effectively?
Aside from aiming , to effectively study the legal profession, one should imbibe within himself these consistent traits that a law student must have. These are discipline, diligence, perseverance, and the objective to succeed.
On the other hand, initially, there are requirements before somebody can be admitted to law school in the Philippines. One must have possessed a complete bachelor’s degree recognized by the Department of Education as a pre-law course from a recognized university. He should pass the Law School Admission Test.
These requirements alone can give a presumption that one is possessed with the minimum requirement to at least survive the first year of law school or be eligible and qualified to pursue a degree in law.
Nevertheless, to effectively study law and eventually survive law school, one must have the endurance and patience to read thick law books and long cases.
He must not have only equipped himself with any ordinary law books but those latest law ones containing the current doctrines and applications of the law, the new laws themselves, and latest jurisprudence on a particular subject.
Similarly, there is a subject in law study, called bar techniques, where it recognizes the weaknesses and strength of a law student; what area of his law study are particularly lacking like the time and financial resources, study materials or access to information, and the manner of how he studies or how he answers in the exam.
Each one of these areas shall be addressed accordingly to correct and improve the individual’s style of studying. As a suggestion, these bar techniques should be taught earlier to law students to effectively learn the law. This will serve as their continuous guide throughout their law school journey.
How many hours a day should a law student study?
It really depends on the status of a law student if he is a working or a full- time student, or he could also be at the same time a family guy who attends to his family needs aside from his work and studies.
Ideally, if one could spend four hours of study a day it would be better but for satisfactory results on long topics for recitation and exams, eight hours a day would be sufficient.
Fortunately, one law student has successfully asked a professor, who topped the bar exam, regarding the sufficient number of hours to study in a day. The law professor answered that eight hours is a good number.
For a working student, four hours is the most that he can allocate to effectively absorb the readings. In the case of a working family person, whatever happens, he should make it to four hours of study as well. Anything lower than that may result in failure or insecurity during recitations, if not disaster.
In some instances, there are subjects which are demanding, needing a lot of hours of study. Subjects like civil procedure, criminal law, and corporation law may be those instances. These are four-unit subjects, each held at a four-hour class in a day.
These subjects require more than four hours a day study, for you to follow the discussions of the professors. For that duration, you must have studied beforehand. Otherwise, you will get lost in the discussion.
Regardless of a student’s status, one should be flexible on his number of study hours corresponding to the demands of the situation. That is why, some working students may take leave from work in order to prepare for an exam or to comply with a taxing requirement of a particular law professor.
How do I become a smart law student?
In becoming a smart law student, apart from imbibing , one does not have to be academically brilliant. While the latter may be an advantage, yet, the common denominator should be that the law student has discipline, is diligent, has perseverance, and has the optimistic attitude to achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer someday, if not topping the bar examination.
There are some guidelines to follow to become a smart law student, these are:
- Do the readings and don’t fall behind? As most of the discussions in the following class will be anchored on the assigned topics by the professor, one should do the readings. It is always presumed that these topics shall be discussed and another shall be assigned next week. To fall behind with the readings is a big disadvantage as some of the missed readings might be needed to connect with the next topic.
- Attend class regularly. Most of the professors would say that a student must not be absent from his class for surely he will learn something new from the class. I always believe in this reminder of the professor, it is only in the class where topics are actually discussed and examples on applications are provided.
- Prepare an outline for each class. This is the end result of the steps provided beforehand on how to study effectively. The rewritten notes on marked or highlighted case statements and side comments and answers for each paragraph could serve as your outline. It would be easier to follow the class
- Attend review Yes, this is very helpful, it is through review sessions some of the forgotten topics or missed topics shall be discussed. It kind of reminds you of that topic, and it will stick again.
- Review your exam performance. It is through reviewing your exam performance you will learn of your mistakes, you can correct it and remember it.
How do I become a top law student?
Law school is a tough journey. Legal education and law school are very demanding and will require or consume a lot of your time and energy. In order to become a top law student, you need to enhance your reading and writing skills, let alone your discipline.
In law school, you will be required to read plenty of cases and be familiarized with a lot of law provisions. To excel in law school all you need to do is to read, read and read.
Studying law school is a very personal discipline. Having a study schedule or routine is very important. You have to manage your time effectively. Always aim to finish all the readings or assigned textbook chapters.
If you have assigned readings of twenty cases, knowing the basics of twenty cases is always better than knowing every little detail of just ten cases without even touching all of the covered topics.
Therefore, if you have a lot of assigned readings, make sure that you will be able to cover all of the assigned topics. You have to read everything. It is important to be efficient in studying, maximizing your allotted time there for. You will be reading multiple subjects so you have to utilize your time wisely.
Is law a good career for a woman?
Law is a good career for everyone. As long as you have the capability to sustain law school and pass the bar exam, law is a good choice for a career, even for a female specie. There is no hindrance as to a woman taking law as a career.
A number of legal luminaries in the Philippines are women who contributed a lot to our legal system. One example is Cecilia Munoz Palma who contributed to the drafting of the 1987 Constitution. She was a formidable force in the legal world.
We are so also fortunate our history is graced with the likes of Haydee Yorac, a fierce defender of our legal institutions. Even Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago, whose fierceness, conviction, and bravery awed most of the Filipino people.
Law profession is a noble one. It deals with the applications of laws for the administration of justice. It is a battle of wits and mental skills in court to defend each client. Surely, women are apt for that task. In court, men and women lawyers are on equal footing. They equally bar passers, who passed law school in their own time.
In terms of financial compensation, lawyers are well paid in our country as compared to other professions. In terms of career gratification, being a lawyer, you are an officer of the court, an office laden with public interest, so nothing is more noble than serving the public.
Is law a good career for a man?
As said before, law is a good career for everyone. As observed in our law school classroom today, women and men are almost evenly divided in terms of population. This is a testament that law is still a good career for men too. Still, in our country, our legal world is dominated by men.
In the Supreme Court, the majority of the members are men. Presently, there are estimated forty thousand (40,000) living lawyers today in the Philippines of which seventy-three percent (73%) are men, as reported by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
This does not mean that men lawyers are enjoying better benefits than female lawyers, it is just that women are catching up in numbers. Law is a good career for men because the profession pays good to men lawyers too.
The profession is laden with public interest so it is the most noble profession. To defend the right of another is a man’s dream. To be an instrument of justice, nothing is more noble than this profession.
What are the recommended law books to read?
A huge part of law students’ journey involves reading a lot of law books. In order to have an easy and comprehensive understanding about the law, here are some of the recommended law books to read for various law school subjects.
In the event that you want to get a hard copy of the recommended law books, you may click the books’ image. It has an affiliate link, which will lead you to lazada, where you can purchase your desired law book.
Persons & Family Relations
Persons and Family Relations is a five-unit subject that you will encounter during your first semester in law school. It laid down the foundation of civil law. It is divided into two parts – Persons, which covers the first part of the Civil Code and Family Relations, which is covered by the Family Code.
The following are the recommended law books that are highly used as reference materials in studying Persons and Family Relations:
- Law on Persons and Family Relations by Atty. Elmer T. Rabuya
- Civil Code of the Philippines, Annotated Volume 1 – Persons and Family Relations by Justice Edgardo L. Paras
- Persons and Family Relations, Sta. Maria
Political Law
One of the recommended books for Political Law is the Philippine Political Law by Justice Isagani Cruz. This book is widely used by law students in their Political Law Review class because it is very concise and comprehensive.
The provisions and concepts of the Constitution are well explained. The book also tackles Administrative Law, Law of Public Officers, Election Laws and Local Government Code. Hence:
- Philippine Political Law, Justice Isagani Cruz
Criminal Law I and II
In Criminal Law you will learn that a crime is not a crime unless it is punished by express provision of the law. Criminal Law deals with all the crimes that are punishable in the Philippines.
You will study the Revised Penal Code and other Special Penal Laws. In studying criminal law, it is essential that you have your codal with you. It consists of the basic provisions and enumerations and definitions of punishable crimes.
The recommended books for Criminal law are the Revised Penal Code by Justice Luis B. Reyes and the Revised Penal Code book by Judge Campanilla. Compared with the book of Justice Reyes, the discussions in the book of Judge Campanilla are much deeper. The latest Supreme Court decisions are discussed in this book.
- The Revised Penal Code, Book 1 and 2, Justice Luis B. Reyes
- Revised Penal Code, Judge Campanilla
Obligations and Contracts
When it comes to the subject Obligation and Contracts, the book written by Atty. Hector De Leon on one this subject is one of the best books for this subject.
Another prominent book about this subject is the Comments and Jurisprudence on Obligations and Contracts written by Justice Desiderio P. Jurado. These books cite lots of decided cases and examples that make the topics pretty manageable to understand.
- Obligations and Contracts, Hector De Leon
- Comments and Jurisprudence on Obligations and Contracts, Justice Desiderio Jurado
Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law speaks about the Philippine Constitution. One of the most recommended books for Constitutional Law is the book of Justice Isagani Cruz and Carlo Cruz. This book uses simple terms which are easier to understand and tackles landmarks cases briefly.
Another widely known law book for Constitutional law is the “The 1987 Philippine Constitution: A Comprehensive Reviewer by Joaquin Bernas” and the “Philippine Constitutional Law Principles and Cases (Volume 1 and 2) by Hector S. De Leon and Hector De Leon, Jr.”
These books, although only covering the Constitution, are very comprehensive and light to read. They discuss many landmark cases that make the different concepts and provisions easier to understand.
- The 1987 Philippine Constitution: A Comprehensive Reviewer, Fr. Joaquin Bernas
- Philippine Constitutional Law Principles and Cases (Volume 1 and 2), Hector S. De Leon and Hector De Leon, Jr.
Bill of Rights and Inherent Powers of the Government [Constitutional Law]
Constitutional law deals with the branches of the government, namely, the executive, legislative and judiciary, as well as the roles, powers and qualifications of the officials composing such branches.
Although not expressly mentioned in the 1987 Constitution, it also lays down the inherent powers of a State, which are inseparable from the very existence of a State. Most importantly, it defines the political and civil rights of all individuals within the State.
To have a better understanding of the law, it is best to have an annotated book. For Constitutional law, the following are the recommended law books:
- Constitutional Law 1 and 2, Justice Isagani Cruz
- Constitutional Law Texts and Cases – Bill of Rights by Miriam Defensor Santiago
Property
Property is a branch of Civil law which basically deals with the classification of properties, which means movable and immovable. It discusses the modes of acquiring ownership over a property, the requisites of quieting of title, the characteristics of ownership, usufruct, easement and nuisance.
One of the recommended books for Property is the book of Atty. Elmer Rabuya, a well-known Civilist here in the Philippines. His book does not only expound the law but it also includes jurisprudences that will help you understand the topic more. The book of Justice Paras and Atty. Hector De Leon may also be used as a supplement for your readings.
- Property, Rabuya, 2021
- Civil Code, Vol. II, J. Paras, Law on Property
- Property, Comments and Cases, Hector De Leon
Law on Sales and Lease
The Law on Sales and Lease, as embodied in the Civil Code, tackles everything that surrounds a contract of sale. It also extends to discuss the different obligations of the vendor and the vendee, and it points out the person who will suffer the loss in case there is breach of contract.
Books written by Hector De Leon are prescribed in this subject. The book really tried to explain the law in a very concise but comprehensive way. They made sure that every article covering the Law on Sales and Lease is discussed and understood.
Likewise, when craving for an in-depth analysis, the Law on Sales by Cesar L. Villanueva Teresa S. Tiansay, 2016 and Civil Code – Special Contract, Vol. V by Arturo Tolentino may offer an alternative.
- Law on Sales and Lease, Hector De Leon
- Law on Sales, Villanueva and Tiansay, 2016
- Civil Code, Comments and Cases, Special Contract, Vol. V, Arturo Tolentino
Transportation Law
Transportation law is a very interesting topic, as it deals with persons or associations who obligate themselves, called as common carriers, to transport people or things from one place to another for a fee.
It distinguishes standard diligence from extraordinary diligence and as to when these two are required to be used in a contract of transportation. The liabilities of common carriers and when they are also exempted from such is also covered by such law.
The book commonly used in transportation law is the Transportation Laws Notes and Cases of Judge Noli C. Diaz, which can be purchased in the Rex Book Store.
Credit Transactions
This law is useful to those who are in the world of lending because it tackles the different types of loans, as well as the obligations of the respective parties.
It also includes the usury law, warehouse receipts law and other banking laws. Lastly, it covers the various types of securities and encumbrances that are usually used in credit transactions.
The following are the recommended law books:
- The Law on Credit Transactions – Atty. Mauricio Ulep
- Essentials of Credit Transactions and Banking Laws of Timoteo Aquino
The book of Atty. Ulep includes questions regarding credit transactions and it also has suggested answers in it. While the book of Aquino is thick, it is also recommended because it also covers those special laws that relate to credit transactions.
Law on Partnership, Agency, and Trusts
This includes the characteristics of partnership, agency and trusts, as well as the differences of each from the other kinds of contract. It also covers the different kinds of agency and trusts and the obligations and liabilities of the parties.
As to the Law on partnership, agency and trust, the books commonly prescribed are:
- Comments and Cases on Partnership, Agency and Trusts of Hector De Leon
- Partnership, Agency and Trust of Albano
These are the books that are ones that are recommended for this subject. These books cite jurisprudence that are related to the subject that will help you further familiarize yourself with the concept.
Torts and Damages
Under the Philippine law, a tort is a wrong which violates a right. The remedy for such violation is in the form of damages, as provided by law.
To fully embrace the concept and the idea of torts and damages, the recommended books to read are the ones written by De Leon and Aquino. These are very comprehensive ones that will add up to your knowledge in law school pertaining to Torts and Damages.
Insurance
Insurance law, just like other commercial law subjects, is a very tricky subject. It is a field of law which requires the student not just to memorize a lot of provisions but also to tinker through the provisions to be able to understand the ratio of it.
Insurance law also has very wide applications, from fire insurance, performance surety, up to things which require some level of expertise like marine insurance. It is an area of law which is very niche specific.
It is under this reason that Insurance law be studied by reading the book first. Afterwards, you should read the specific provisions as stated therein. This way the student will not be drowned by the plethora of provisions.
Personally, the book written by Judge Tambasacan is good. The book offered a different approach in the boring and tedious study of insurance law. She has provided jokes every after the end of a chapter.
Yet, most importantly, she was able to explain the doctrines in a very simple and precise manner. As for others, the book of Atty. De Leon, they said, is the best alternative.
Corporation
Corporation law was just recently updated. The meat of corporation law is now governed by the Revised Corporation Code. These revisions are also so substantial that reading an old corporation law book may be fatal to the student. Hence, it is very important for the student to acquire an updated corporation law book.
There are a lot of choices of books in the study of corporation law, probably because there is also an abundance of experts in this field. In the pool of experts, Atty. Villanueva’s book may have been preferred by several readers.
It provides a very detailed discussion of provisions and doctrines; in fact, it is so detailed that the book is also very thick. As an alternative, Atty. Aquino’s book is also one of the best. When wanting a simple yet precise explanation, Atty. Aquino’s book does it best.
Rules of Criminal Procedure
Studying remedial law is never easy. Studying an area of remedial law which has various applications and interplay with political law, however, is on a different level. In this area of law, the choice of book is very important for a student to have a great grasp of the fundamentals of the procedures.
Dean Riano’s book is recommended. Describe it in three words, it is “Simply the best!” In fact, most, if not all, law students prefer his book even if it is quite obsolete nowadays.
Rules of Civil Procedure
Rules in Civil Procedures, a subject where every law student probably cried after passing it. Since rules of procedures were just recently updated by the Supreme Court, it is very important to acquire an updated book.
Two books in this area for a law student are suggested. First, read the book of Dean Riano to properly comprehend the basics and fundamentals of the subject.
After which, read the book of Dean Tan. We know, it’s very thick right? But it holds the information you need to pass the bar. Dean Tan’s book offers a different lens in the study of Civil Procedure.
Special Proceedings
Special Proceedings is somehow an area of remedial law which other students may overlook in their studies. It is in this regard that it is very important to acquire a book which has great command in the fundamentals and has discussions which is easy to remember later on.
For Special Proceedings, Dean Festin’s [PUP Law Dean] book is suggested. Although it has a very straightforward approach in the subject, it is exactly what what a law student needs to properly comprehend this very tedious subject. Dean Festin’s book has an effect where the student can retain the learnings offered by the book.
Rules on Evidence
Rules on evidence is also an area where the Supreme Court made several significant amendments. So, an updated book is a must. There are a lot of law students who have heard the audio lectures of Dean Riano available online, it is in this regard that this is recommended for most students to read his book. Albeit, it is a bit outdated.
In the alternative, the updated book that I recommend is that was written by Atty. Espejo. This is low-key one of the best books for Rules on Evidence. It offers the same analytical prowess of Dean Riano but also has a very in depth discussion for Rules on DNA Evidence, which is very important in the practice of law later on.
Final Thoughts
Books are there to aid a student in the study of law. However, it does not mean that when a book works out for someone it also works out to everyone, similarly. This is the reason why there is an abundance of books available in the market, to cater with different needs of different students.
There are students who prefer a straight to the point and precise explanations. There are those who prefer to have very in depth discussion of certain doctrines. At the end of the day, book choice is a very subjective aspect in the study of law.
There is only one thing that is certain, and that is acquiring a book is a must for every law student. Without which, a law student cannot survive in law school, or if the student survives law school, passing the bar is another thing right?
Nevertheless, listening to lectures, recitation sessions, and reading secondary sources is also a very important supplement to book reading. Nothing can be better than the Socratic Method of learning, especially when it comes to studying law.
