clark studied law at queens' college cambridge from 1968 to 1972, obtaining his ba degree in 1971 (ma 1974) and llm in 1972. he became a solicitor (honours) of the supreme court in 1975, serving articles of clerkship with andrew & co, solicitors of lincoln and was an assistant solicitor to that firm until his appointment as lecturer in law at the university of bristol in 1977.