Abstract

Empirical legal research is defined in many ways. These differences in definition are important when considering the place of empirical legal studies in the law school curriculum. In this regard, this article reflects on school curricula in law schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. Empirical legal studies are largely absent from law school curricula. One indispensable pre-condition for any law school curriculum is that it must reflect what those teaching it believe to be true. Empirical legal studies can be properly incorporated into the law school curriculum if students not only use and understand such studies but also understand the methods used and the theories upon which they are based. Law schools throughout the world are in a state of flux. Empirical legal research has to compete for the attention of academics in law schools with a number of other areas of research that are becoming more popular.