Knowing the law is only half your mark1
You know the cases. In a UK law school the other half of the mark is how you argue them — and nobody teaches you that part. I have marked these essays and applied the grading scale, so I can show you where those marks actually are.
1One-to-one tutoring in legal writing, essay structure, exam technique and citation, for LLB, LLM and PhD students in the UK and joining from overseas.
What happens after you book
No waiting to find out whether you have been heard.
- You send your request. Pick a date in the calendar and tell me what you are working on and when it is due.
- I reply within the next working day. I confirm the time and the price, and tell you what to send me beforehand.
- We meet and solve the problem. Online, on Teams or Zoom. You leave with specific changes to make, not general advice.
Tips to help you write legal work with confidence
Good marks in law come from more than knowing the cases. They come from how you build an argument and present it.
Answer the question asked
Before you write, restate the question in your own words and plan every paragraph around it. Material that doesn't answer it costs you marks, however accurate it is.
Apply the law to the facts
Most students can recite the IRAC framework. Marks are awarded for the application: reasoning from the authority to the facts in front of you, and explaining why the outcome follows.
Be effective, not wordy
Short, precise sentences read as confident. Cut repetition and let your authorities do the work.
Cite properly
Applying OSCOLA, or the Bluebook for US journals, accurately and consistently shows care and rigour, and markers notice.
Raising the standard of your writing raises the standard of your whole legal education. See what we can work on.
Free “how to write” guides for law students
- How to write a first-class law essay
- How to write a problem question answer using IRAC
- How to write a law dissertation
- How to write a literature review for your law dissertation or thesis
- How to write OSCOLA references in the 5th edition: five changes to know
- How to write Bluebook citations for a US law journal: six habits editors look for
Questions and answers
Who do you tutor?
University law students and anyone taking law as part of another degree, including Scots law, environmental law, and business, corporate and property law courses.
Do sessions take place online or in person?
One-to-one sessions are online, on Microsoft Teams or Zoom, depending on which platform you are more comfortable using. I am based in Aberdeen and only teach in person for large workshops run for institutions such as universities, law schools and firms. Ask about an institutional workshop.
How much does tutoring cost?
LLB and BA Law tutoring is £60 an hour, admissions interview preparation £75 an hour, and LLM and PhD work £95 an hour. An essay or assessment of 1,000 to 1,500 words, including footnotes and bibliography, takes about an hour, so a 3,000-word LLB essay is around £120. Dissertation review is on special offer at £450 (usually £520) for a dissertation of up to 10,000 words, when booked with at least 4 weeks’ notice; with less notice the full price of £520 applies. On-demand workshop videos are coming soon. Term packages and full details are on the prices page.
How can I pay?
I accept bank transfer, PayPal and card payments through Stripe. I will send you the payment details when I confirm your booking.
Will you write my essay for me?
No. Tutoring helps you develop your own writing and voice. Comments and suggested edits show you how to improve your work, while the work stays yours.
How do I book?
Choose a free slot on the booking page, or fill in the contact form with a short description of what you need.
Is it cheaper to book in advance?
Yes. Book three weeks or more ahead for my best price. Every date in the booking calendar shows its price, so you can see what you save by planning ahead.
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