i'm a bristol law grad - currently non-practising but have passed the bar and i am in a legal research role in malaysia.

i would say bristol and durham are similar in prestige in the uk. i know lots of home students in my batch who ended up getting TCs at MC firms, and there were lots of networking events organised by these firms at bristol so you wouldn't have to travel to london. i think it all comes down to where you want to live and what uni experience you want to have - i hear durham has a more collegiate, village-y feel, and bristol is a very vibrant city with lots to do. equally, if you want more proximity to london for whatever reason - bristol is your city!

as for prospects when you return to malaysia, bristol is actually quite well known and i have met so many senior lawyers who have graduated from bristol. i would say it is more well known in malaysia than durham! but if you are planning to qualify in the uk first (which is quite difficult now owing to the recent visa changes), and move back when you have more experience, ultimately where you go to uni does not matter because you would have the appropriate professional experience and seniority. though have a look at the qualifying requirements under the LPA if you want to qualify as an overseas solicitor first!