The Calling of Law:
The Pivotal Role of
Vocational Legal Education
by Fiona Westwood, Karen Barton
As one of the 'learned' professions requiring advanced
learning and high principles, law enjoys a special standing in society. In
return for its status and rank, the legal profession is expected to exhibit the
highest levels of honesty, trust and morality, the very values which underpin
the legal system itself. This, in turn, entrusts to legal education a
particular problem of addressing, not only the substantive elements of the body
of law, but a means through which the characteristics of the 'calling' of law
are imparted and instilled. At a time when the very essence of the legal
profession is under threat, this book calls for a realignment of the legal
curriculum and pedagogies so as to emphasise the development of culture over
industry; character over eloquence; and calling over skill. Chapters are
grouped around the core content and key themes of Curiosity, Calling, Character
and Conscientiousness, Contract, and Culture. The volume includes contributions
from leading experts, drawn internationally and from other professional
disciplines in order to present alternative approaches aimed at tackling common
issues, providing insight, and provoking debate.
