Pre-Law Reading List: Best Books to Read Before Law School (Philippines)

So, you’ve decided to enter law school—congrats! 

Now, the next question to answer is what do you need to prepare and read before starting your first semester in law school. While reading codals and cases may not be the best move yet, it’s helpful to prep yourself with some essential reading before entering law school.

As a law student myself, trust me when I tell you that as an aspiring law student, you don’t have to read all of the books contained in this list. But, as I have already mentioned, it’s always a good idea to prepare. Thus, this article lists down books and material recommendations for law school, specifically on topics regarding:

1. Before starting law school;

2. Understanding law school experience;

3. Learning legal reasoning; and

4. The legal profession as a whole.

What to Read Before Law School (Philippines): Quick Guide

With the new semester in law school coming up, preparing is one of the ways to ensure success. And one such preparation is to browse or read the following in advance. Do note that while this list contains codals and law books, you do not need to read or memorize anything yet. It is already helpful to familiarize yourself with their format.:
 

Must-Read Books Before Starting Law School in the Philippines

1. Introduction to Law by Rolando Suarez

This book is a staple for many aspiring law students. It breaks down fundamental legal concepts and terms you’ll encounter in your first year. From Ethics to Criminal Law, Suarez provides a concise overview that’s perfect for beginners.

2. Essentials of Legal Writing by Justice Roberto Abad

Legal writing is a crucial skill in law school—it’s way different from your usual way of writing considering the legal jargons. Latin maxims, and other law-specific words and phrases you will encounter both in law school and in future actual practice. Nonetheless, Justice Abad’s book offers practical tips on structuring arguments, writing essays, and answering legal questions effectively. It’s a great resource to start honing your writing skills early on.

3. Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul

Law school exams can be tricky, often with no clear right answer. This book teaches you how to approach such exams, emphasizing the importance of legal analysis and reasoning. It’s a must-read to understand the exam mindset. Note that while the Philippine and US legal systems differ, the tips and tricks as stated in this material are still applicable in the Philippine context.

Understanding the Philippine Law School Experience 

4. 1L of a Ride by Andrew J. McClurg

This book provides a comprehensive look into the first year of law school. McClurg shares insights on case briefing, managing workload, and dealing with the emotional challenges of law school. It’s like having a mentor guide you through your 1L year. Again, even if this is a material based on US law, the tips and tricks as stated in this material are still applicable with respect to our legal landscape.

5. Law School Confidential by Robert H. Miller

Miller offers a detailed account of what to expect in law school, from preparing for classes to navigating internships. It’s a practical guide that covers the entire law school journey .

Essential Law Books for Building Legal Reasoning Skills in the Philippines

6. The Legal Analyst by Ward Farnsworth

To think like a lawyer, you need to understand how to analyze legal problems. Farnsworth’s book introduces various tools and concepts that lawyers use in their reasoning. It’s a great primer for developing a legal mindset.

7. Deconstructing Legal Analysis: A 1L Primer by Peter T. Wendel

Wendel breaks down the process of legal analysis, helping you understand how to approach cases and legal problems methodically. It’s especially useful for those new to legal studies.

Pre-Law Books for Aspiring Lawyers to Explore the Philippine Legal Profession

8. 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers by Jasper Kim

Curious about the daily lives of different lawyers? Kim’s book profiles 24 lawyers across various fields, providing insights into their routines and responsibilities. It’s an eye-opener for those considering different legal career paths.

9. Legal Profession by Villareal

This book offers an overview of the legal profession in the Philippines, covering topics like ethics, responsibilities, and the role of lawyers in society. It’s a recommended read for understanding the local legal landscape.

Best Philippine Law Books for Beginners

10. Foundations of Legal Philosophy by Atty. Naval

This pre-law book for beginners offers a more philosophical introduction to the legal world, consisting of theories such as feminism, law and economics, hermeneutics, and postmodernism while relating them to Philippine jurisprudence and current political issues.

11. Legal Research by Federico Moreno

This book introduces a law school freshie to the different legal sources one can consult when conducting research. It explains how and when each source (i.e. law, case, decisions of lower courts, administrative issuances) are used and when best to use them.

12. Mestizo: The Story of the Philippine Legal System by Pacifico Agabin

This pre-law book is more on the interesting side as it discusses the pre the Philippines' hybrid legal system and introduces it as a blend of Spanish Civil Law and American Common Law still with a few hints of indigenous traditions and Islamic law. 

13. May It Please the Court by Atty. Sandra Marie Olaso-Coronel

This book is a manual for litigation and serves as an introduction to the world of hearings and arguments before the Philippine courts. While freshmen wouldn’t normally find value in these tips, it is helpful in getting them a tiny glimpse of the lawyering world.

14. Philippine Manual of Legal Citations by Myrna Feliciano

Another manual in this list is this book which offers a guide to legal research citation. This book contains formats students and lawyers alike can follow in their research paper writing.

First-Year Law Books Philippines: What You’ll Use on Day 1

15. Persons and Family Relations by Elmer Rabuya

This commentary is a supplement to your Civil & Family Code when you are studying for Persons and Family Relations. It is easy to understand and follow for a first year law student.

16. The Revised Penal Code Book 1 by Luis Reyes

Another commentary you would use a lot in your first year is this holy bible for Criminal Law 1, Reyes. It offers a detailed explanation for all concepts covered in Criminal Law 1 and their corresponding articles in the Revised Penal Code.

17. Constitutional Law by Isagani Cruz

While most professors’ approach for Constitutional Law 1 tends to focus more on jurisprudence, having this book by your side makes understanding the concepts easier. This book divides its content based on headings and not Constitutional provisions which helps make reviewing for exams easier. 

18. Basic Legal Ethics based on CPRA by Atty. Frederick Anciano

With the newly released Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), legal ethics commentaries are rare to come by nowadays. As such, this 2024 commentary offers easy-to-understand explanations of the obligations & responsibilities of a lawyer once one has been admitted to the Bar. 

19. Statutory Construction by Ruben Agpalo

One of the staple & most important topics you will learn in law school falls under statutory construction and one of the best law books in the Philippines for this particular subject is this one. This explains the principles and rules for understanding & interpreting laws so that you will have an easier time applying them.

Essential Codals to Browse Before Law School

Below are some of the codals you will be buying and reading for the first few years of law school. Treat them as your bibles and you will be fine:

• The 1987 Constitution

• Civil Code of the Philippines

• The Revised Penal Code

• Rules of Court

• The Labor Code

At this point, while you do not need to memorize the provisions in these codals, you can familiarize yourself with their structure, headings, and common terms.

Starter Cases to Read Before Law School (Philippines)

Aside from codals, you will also be drowning in cases even during your first year. But, don’t fret, here are a number of landmark cases you will surely encounter in your first semester:

• Calalang v. Williams (1940)

This case discusses the two essential elements for the proper exercise of police power where the Court held that the prohibition of animal-drawn vehicles on certain roads is valid for 1) it is for a public interest purpose and 2) it employs a reasonable means to fulfill its purpose. 

• Oposa v. Factoran (1993)

This landmark case talks about “inter-generational responsibility” where present generations can represent their future children in environmental cases for the sake of protecting nature for them.

• US v. Ah Chong (1910)

This criminal case defines what a “mistake of fact” is and how it negates criminal liability as a way of self-defense.

• People v. Genosa (2004)

This is a landmark criminal case for recognizing that displaying signs of having battered woman syndrome can be a plea of self-defense if particular elements are proven by the prosecution.

• Aquino v. Aquino (2021)

This is a landmark persons and family relations case because it reexamines the “iron curtain rule” which initially prevented children out-of-wedlock from inheriting from their legitimate relatives and vice versa due to a perceived animosity between the two groups. 

• Wellex v. U-land (2015)

This obligations and contracts case clarifies the difference between a rescission case under different provisions of the Civil Code. This might seem confusing now but by the time you take obligations and contracts (oblicon), you’ll finally get it.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What books should I read before law school in the Philippines?

At this point in time, you do not need to read anything for law school just yet but you can pick up introductory materials such as Introduction to Law by Rolando Suarez, Legal Profession by Villareal, or 1L of a Ride by Andrew J. McClurg.

Should I read codals before law school?

No, it is not recommended to read codals before law school because chances are, you wouldn’t know what the words/phrases mean. However, you can opt to browse through them and familiarize yourself with their formats.     

What cases should I read before law school?

To get a head start on your cases, you can familiarize yourself with the following cases which cover almost all first year subjects: Calalang v. Williams (1940), Oposa v. Factoran (1993), US v. Ah Chong (1910), People v. Genosa (2004), Aquino v. Aquino (2021), and Wellex v. U-land (2015).

How do I prepare for law school in the Philippines?

You can prepare for law school by getting a lot of sleep, buying your codals and writing materials, and reminding yourself why you’re entering law school in the first place.

What are the first-year law school books?

Some first year law school books include codals, commentaries, and case collections, if your professor finds them necessary.

Conclusion

Deciding to go to law school is a brave decision on its own and before you take your first step into a brand new world, it is best to be prepared. So start with these recommended books and cases to build a solid foundation and pace yourself, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance when needed.

Good luck on your journey to becoming a lawyer!