Law dissertation writing is paramount for any student pursuing a higher degree in law. Unfortunately, writing a law dissertation is not as easy a task as students would like it to be.
How many words is a law dissertation? What is the structure of a law dissertation? How do I write my law dissertation? If you are struggling with any of the above questions, this guide will highlight the elements of a law dissertation and share some law dissertation ideas to inspire your topic selection.
How to write a law dissertation
- Select your topic
Topic selection is perhaps the most crucial step in writing a law dissertation. For this, you should read the instructions to determine the research question. Next, analyze your topic for a specific argument or a transgression of the law for a case study.
Preferably, brainstorm on the ideas you are familiar with on the topic and conduct preliminary research to determine the availability of material. You should select a topic with ample research material, as this makes for easy backing of your claims.
- Conduct thorough research
After you’ve selected your topic, set a stage for your issue and analyze various perspectives from which the matter may be approached. When doing this, steer clear of topics that have been subject to regular analysis.
Also, prepare an outline to easily gauge the flow of ideas within your paper and to determine the loopholes within your argument. When researching, be keen to look at recent publications to fully capture the recent amendments.
- Compile your dissertation
After completing your research, coalesce the information you’ve amassed and prepare your paper in a manner that leads your reader through the development of your argument. Also, avoid using too much legalese as this may limit your reader from understanding the ideas communicated in your paper.
Limit your work to the jargon you’ve encountered within the class and avoid sophisticated language intended to ‘intimidate’ your professor.
- Write the introduction
Ideally, the introduction should be saved for last. This is because you are well familiarized with the argument and can easily present your key objectives, the background of your research, and the relevance of your thesis.
- Editing and proofreading
Like other papers, it is crucial to edit your law dissertation. Here, you should look at the grammatical issues, structural issues, and formatting errors. If you are limited in time, consider seeking law dissertation help from experts within the field.
Law dissertation structure
The law dissertation structure varies depending on the institution and faculty guidelines. As such, you must consult the dissertation guideline before you delve into writing your paper.
Some of the key components of a law dissertation are:
- Title page – this section should outline your title and the identification information. Be keen to structure the title page properly as it is the first chance to impress your tutor.
- Abstract – the abstract is a summary of your paper, ranging from 250 to 300 words. This section should highlight the aim of your paper, key results, and the conclusion of your paper.
- Table of contents – this section should list your headings and subheadings with their respective page numbers, allowing you readers to navigate the paper easily.
- Introduction – the introduction chapter outlines the topic, purpose, and relevance of your topic/ it also highlights the background information and outlines the methodology employed in researching your dissertation.
- Literature review – here, highlight the procedure and justify the criteria for analyzing the problem under investigation. Also, connect various sources that support your study and highlight the challenges you encountered when preparing your dissertation and the approach you used to overcome these challenges.
- Methods – here, show the techniques employed in data analysis and the criteria used to select your research methods.
- Conclusion – the conclusion finalizes your paper by discussing your key objectives and analyzing your research in light of your hypothesis. Here, you may also show some restrictions in analyzing your problem statement and suggest ways in which further research could be conducted.
How long is a law dissertation?
A law dissertation ranges between 100 to 200 pages. The length is determined by factors including the level of study, the complexity of your paper, and the faculty guidelines.
You must consult your tutor before starting your dissertation and enquire about the word count if it is not properly stated in the instructions. You should note that the preliminary pages, references, and appendix do not contribute to your paper’s final word count.
Law dissertation topics
Contract Law dissertation topics
- Contract Law: Examining the requirements of today’s rapidly changing global business environment.
- An examination of contract law enforcement in emerging economies’ public sector.
- An assessment of COVID-19’s influence on Contractual Rights and Obligations in the United Kingdom.
- Analyzing the Concept of Consideration and Its Application in UK Modern Contract Law.
- Comparing and contrasting Canadian and German contract law.
Criminal Law dissertation topics
- Exploring the history of the death penalty.
- Is immigration a contributing element in the rise in crime?
- The process of determining the authenticity of a person in a criminal case.
- Obtaining information about cases of racial discrimination among convicts in the United States.
- How to improve the conceptualization and measurement of everyday insecurities by using interdisciplinary perspectives.
Employment Law dissertation topics
- In the United Kingdom, the importance of child labor regulations.
- How is the legal system dealing with the rise in child labor?
- A comprehensive examination of tribunal fees under UK law.
- An in-depth look at the United Kingdom’s employment regulations, as well as their flaws.
- The relevance of UK legislation in ensuring that women’s rights are protected in the workplace.
Family Law dissertation topics
- Should the domestic violence law be changed to eliminate the bias towards male victims?
- The effectiveness of domestic violence punishment. Is that enough to put an end to this crime?
- The consequences of using child abuse as a kind of punishment to discipline children.
- What is the legal system’s response to this?
- Divorced parents’ custody cases. Is the youngster entitled to a say in this situation?
- An examination of the legal response to incest in the United Kingdom.
Human Rights Law dissertation topics
- The impact of social media apps in raising awareness of human rights among youth.
- Under the European Convention on Human Rights, a review of life imprisonment is made.
- Should Tertiary Education Be Included in the Right to Education?
- The importance of human rights law in protecting immigrants’ rights in Qatar.
- An examination of human rights crimes during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as efforts to prevent future violations.
Medical Law dissertation topics
- Medical law in the United States: jurisdiction and scope.
- Organ donation is a good thing to do.
- Human experimentation and medicine.
- In the United Kingdom, a study of the moral and legal concerns surrounding abortion was conducted.
- In war-torn countries, there is a health catastrophe.
- Consent is examined in the context of competent adults, mentally impaired (sick) people, and children.