How to Write a First-Class Law Essay: A Barrister's Perspective

I have marked thousands of law essays across Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, KCL, and other Russell Group universities. I have also supervised hundreds of students who went on to achieve Firsts. The difference between a 2:1 and a First is not intelligence or effort — it is technique.

Here is what I look for when I mark an essay, and what you need to do to reach the top grade band.

What Examiners Actually Reward

Contrary to popular belief, examiners are not looking for the longest essay, the most cases cited, or the most complex vocabulary. They are looking for:

1. A clear, defensible thesis stated in the introduction
2. Selective use of authority — the right cases, not all the cases
3. Genuine critical analysis — evaluating the law, not just describing it
4. Engagement with academic debate — showing you have read beyond the textbook
5. Logical structure where each paragraph advances the argument
6. Precise, confident writing — no hedging, no padding, no repetition

The Introduction: Your Most Important Paragraph

A First-class introduction does three things in 100-150 words:

1. States the legal issue or question
2. Acknowledges the complexity or controversy
3. Signals your thesis — the position you will argue

Weak introduction: "This essay will discuss the doctrine of consideration in English contract law. It will look at the history of consideration, the current rules, and some criticisms."

First-class introduction: "The doctrine of consideration remains the most contested element of English contract formation. While orthodox theory demands that every promise be supported by 'something of value' (Currie v Misa [1875]), judicial innovation — particularly the 'practical benefit' test in Williams v Roffey Bros [1991] — has eroded this requirement to the point where, as Chen-Wishart argues, 'the doctrine survives in form but not in substance.' This essay argues that consideration should be abolished in favour of a reliance-based model, drawing on the Australian approach in Waltons Stores v Maher (1988) and the recommendations of the Law Commission."

The difference: the First-class introduction has a thesis, cites authority, references academic commentary, and tells the reader exactly what to expect.

The Body: Analysis, Not Description

Every body paragraph should follow a modified IRAC structure, but the emphasis must be on the A — Application/Analysis. A common mistake is spending 80% of a paragraph on the Rule and 20% on Application. Reverse this ratio.

For each major point:

• State the rule briefly (1-2 sentences)
• Apply it to your argument (3-4 sentences)
• Evaluate it critically (2-3 sentences)
• Connect it to your thesis (1 sentence)

The Conclusion: Not a Summary

A First-class conclusion does not simply repeat what you have already said. It:

• Restates your thesis in light of the analysis
• Acknowledges the strongest counter-argument
• Suggests implications or future directions
• Ends with a confident, specific final sentence

Common Mistakes I See Every Year

1. Opening with a dictionary definition — "According to the Oxford English Dictionary, consideration means..." Never do this.
2. Listing cases without analysis — Citing 15 cases in a paragraph does not demonstrate understanding; it demonstrates panic.
3. Using "it is submitted that" in every paragraph — Once or twice is fine; ten times is a verbal tic.
4. Ignoring the question — Answering the essay you wish had been set rather than the one that was.
5. No academic sources — If your bibliography contains only textbooks and cases, you have not done enough reading.

The Fastest Way to Improve

Write more essays and get specific feedback on each one. Most students write 2-3 essays per module and receive minimal feedback. The students who achieve Firsts typically write 5-8 practice essays and actively seek detailed criticism.

If you cannot access a tutor for every essay, LexIQ's AI essay marker provides the same level of paragraph-by-paragraph analysis — identifying descriptive writing, suggesting missing authorities, and showing you exactly how to rewrite each weak paragraph.

See how your writing measures up. Try the free Instant Essay Diagnosis — paste a paragraph and get a grade estimate with your top 3 weaknesses in seconds. Or upload your full essay for complete barrister-level feedback from £8.99.