In this post, I am aiming to share with you a varied number of free resources with the purpose of sparking your interest in law, giving you more clarity and becoming engaged with it. Each recommendation is easily accessible and academically insightful, and most importantly, they are free!

1. WordPress blog (mcbridesguides.com)

Perfect for: Wanting a deep and structured introduction to core legal topics

This WordPress blog, created by law academic Nicholas J. McBride, offers one of the most comprehensive starting points for teenagers exploring legal education. While not every field of law is covered in detail, the blog offers great explanations on topics like tort, contract, criminal law, and jurisprudence.

2. Online courses (coursera.org)

Perfect for: Learners who enjoy online guided, engaging experiences.

Coursera provides a varied catalogue of university-level course – many of which are available for free. Whether you’re interested in international law, AI and regulation, contract law, or legal negotiation, you’ll find a course fitting your interest and most importantly level of experience.

Each course comes with customizable filters by duration (from under 2 hours to 3+ months), skill level, and language. Some of my recommendations are:

• “Introduction to English Common Law” – University of London
• “Introduction to International Criminal Law” – Case Western Reserve University
• “Successful Negotiation” – University of Michigan
• “KI & Recht” – Lund University (available in English)

3. Summer Schools (immerse.education)

Perfect for: Teenagers who want theoretical and practical legal learning in international cities.

If you are seeking an in-person experience, Immerse Education offers excellent academic summer programmes in prestigious global locations such as Oxford, Cambridge, London, and New York. While not always free, immerse education also offers scholarships and essay competitions which are regularly available and free in contrast to the summer schools.

Regarding the summer schools, the programme is for students aged 13–18, offering in-depth seminars, case studies, and university-style tutorials all about law!

4. Podcasts

Perfect for: Auditory learners.

Podcasts are a great way to absorb complex ideas in an accessible, conversational format. Here are my suggestions!

• The Law Show (BBC)
  A weekly podcast regarding legal headlines and real-life cases. Ideal for those curious about how legal decisions impact society.
  
  
• Bloomberg Law Podcast
  Emmy-award-winning host June Grasso explores high-level legal debates with professionals across the field focusing on the US legal system.
  
  
• I Am the Law
  Created by Law School Transparency, this podcast interviews with law graduates working in different areas of law.

TIP! Also check out their “Women in Law” miniseries on gender equality in the profession.

5. Business Insider’s Law Blog

Perfect for: Staying updated with current legal events in society and business.

This blog section focuses on legal news, explaining complicated cases and policy changes in simple terms. While some content is paywalled, much is freely accessible and constantly updated.

6. Books

Perfect for: Visual & read/write learners.  

Here are a list of books which range from introducing law to ones focusing on specific topics:

• About Law by Tony Honoré

The best short introduction to what law is and why it matters.

• Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas McBride

A personal, insightful guide for those considering law at university.

• The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham

An explanation of the fundamentals of democracy.

• Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel

A philosophical journey into ethical dilemmas lawyers face.

• Great Debates in Criminal Law by Jonathan Herring

An insight at moral and legal controversies in criminal justice.

• The Tools of Argument by Joel P. Trachtman

A must-read for anyone wanting to learn how to reason and argue like a lawyer.

Endlessly, whether you are reading a blog post on jurisprudence, listening to legal podcasts on your way to school, or attending a summer school in Cambridge, these resources will help you deepen your interest in law and maybe lead you to your path. You don’t need to wait until university to begin your legal education. Start now. Read openly. Listen attentively. Ask big questions. This generation – our generation – will shape the laws of tomorrow.

Trust me, things are about to get even more interesting