There are many in the profession who are saddened by the rise of the specialist, and the concomitant demise of the general legal practitioner, who was perhaps a more rounded individual. Thanks, therefore, are due to the Law Society library for providing a welcome reminder of those days of yore and specifically some of the examination papers would-be solicitors had to take.


There was a time when, in addition to legal subjects, students had to pass English papers. A 1960 paper included such gems as: 'What television programmes do you consider most suitable for children of school age? Map out an ideal programme for a "children's afternoon" of approximately two hours.' And: 'What do you consider to be the main features of any one of the following: a concerto, a symphony, a brass band, a fugue, a promenade concert?'



Going back further to 1932, the English composition paper asked students to 'write an essay on the essentials of a good thriller' or 'write a ghost story'. The paper explained: 'Exercises in English composition are valued more for quality than for length. Particular attention must, however, be paid to the handwriting, grammar, spelling and punctuation.' Some might say that many solicitors today have forgotten the benefits of quality over length in their correspondence.



However, it is not just the English papers that catch the attention. A 1960 criminal law paper asks students about a wife sticking her head in the gas oven after her husband tells her he loves another woman, so she can 'do away with herself'. He then leaves for work (as you do). Their child crawls over to the mother with her head in the oven and they are both discovered by a neighbour - the wife survives but the child dies. The question then is to consider the criminal liability of the wife and husband. Answers, as ever, to gazette-editorial@lawsociety.org.uk.