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If you intend to attend law school in the future or are currently studying law, you might be wondering what types of law you can specialise in.
The truth is there’s an abundance of different legal fields for you to pick. From environmental law to family law, there’s bound to be an area of law that aligns with your principles and career aspirations.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a rundown of 10 of the most popular types of law you can pursue.
1. Property Law
Property law is intertwined with the real estate industry and is all about regulating the transfer and ownership of property, land, and personal assets. A property law specialist can have one of two concentrations: real property law (focus on commercial and residential real estate) and personal property law (focus on personal assets).
This area of law is concerned with everything from buying and selling property to leases and rental agreements. If you’re interested in a career in property law, you’ll need to be adept at issues such as joint ventures, leasing, and transferring property.
2. Taxation Law
Taxation law is the study of laws surrounding tax and taxation policy. A taxation lawyer is responsible for representing clients in tax-related matters, such as tax planning, tax litigation, capital gains tax, and tax compliance.
To succeed in this field, you’ll need to be comfortable with meticulous research and have strong attention to detail. You’ll also need to be good at numbers and have a solid understanding of financial concepts.
3. Human Rights Law
Human rights law is a type of social justice law that focuses on protecting the human rights of individuals and groups. This area of law covers a broad range of topics, including civil rights, discrimination, freedom of speech, and privacy rights.
If you’re passionate about protecting the rights of others, a career as a human rights lawyer might be suitable for you. You’ll also need to be able to effectively communicate with different sorts of people, like asylum seekers and refugees.
4. Criminal Law
Criminal law is the area of law that deals with individuals who have performed criminal offences. A criminal lawyer represents clients who have been accused of committing a crime and defends them in court.
Barristers are the type of lawyers who specialise in criminal law due to the level of complexity and skills needed to succeed in this role. Criminal law is distinguished from civil law as the latter deals with disputes between individuals or groups, rather than a crime.
5. Environmental Law
Environmental law is a type of law that focuses on environmental protection and conservation. This area of law involves the regulation of human activities that can harm the Earth, such as air pollution, water pollution, and deforestation.
An environmental lawyer typically works with professional service providers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
6. Healthcare Law
Healthcare law is the area of law that focuses on legal issues surrounding the healthcare industry. This includes everything from patient rights to medical malpractice.
This field also covers bio-ethical policies, such as surrogacy, stem cell research, and end-of-life care. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare law, it’s an advantage if you possess a strong understanding of both legal and medical concepts.
7. Estate & Will Planning Law
Some lawyers specialize in estate and will planning, which is the process of creating a plan for how your assets will be distributed after a family member’s death.
Estate planning lawyers help clients deal with legal matters following the death of a trustor, including inheritances, guardianship, and relevant taxation. When a person dies without a will, the possessions are instead distributed to the next of kin.
8. Labour Law
Labour law is the area of law that deals with employment matters, such as contracts, wages, and unfair dismissals. This type of law also covers issues such as workplace safety, discrimination, and sexual harassment.
A career in labour law might be suitable for you if you’re interested in representing either employees or employers in legal disputes. You’ll need to be good at mediation and have strong negotiation skills to succeed in this field.
9. Consumer Law
Consumer protection lawyers work to defend the rights of consumers and ensure that they are treated fairly by businesses. This area of law covers a broad range of topics, including product safety, refunds, and sham marketing.
These lawyers represent the client when they have been wronged or injured by a business. For example, if you buy a defective product and the company refuses to give you a refund despite the presence of a policy, you can take legal action with the help of a consumer protection lawyer.
If you’re in need of legal support for your business, click here to get in touch with specialists.
10. Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property law is the area of law that deals with protecting creative works, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. This type of law is designed to encourage creativity by providing legal protection for original works.
An intellectual property lawyer typically represents clients who have been accused of infringing on someone else’s intellectual property rights. The role of the lawyer is to ensure that an invention or patent isn’t wrongfully exploited by another person or business.
