Lincoln's Inn Visit 28 February 2013

I am off to Lincoln's Inn tomorrow with 10 budding barristers, currently LLB undergraduates at the University of Chester.

It should be a really interesting afternoon starting with tea at 4pm in the Great Hall.  This is followed by a variety of different speakers talking about aspects of a career as a barrister. In the evening we all dine together in the Great Hall - a great networking experience for us all!

Compulsory Test for BPTC applicants launched

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced the introduction of the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) as an entry requirement for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).

A BCAT pass is now a necessary entry requirement onto the BPTC, an essential step towards becoming a barrister. Applicants can register for the BCAT from 1 March 2013 and take the test from 3 April 2013.
The BCAT will test students' critical thinking and reasoning, the core skills required for the BPTC. It is not a test of knowledge and so no studying is required, although practice tests will be available to help students get used to the sort of questions that will be asked.

Applicants will sit the tests in assessment centres located across the UK. Practice tests will be available on the Bar Standards Board website from April 2013.

Prospective students can register to take the BCAT from 1 March 2013 and sit the test from 3 April 2013. Students hoping to start their BPTC in 2013 will have until the end of July to pass the BCAT. However, students are advised to take the test sooner rather than later to allow time for retaking the tests.

The test is priced at £150 for UK applicants which is higher than originally predicted. Applicants will be able to take the BCAT as many times as they need to, subject to a fixed interval in-between retakes.

Law School sets up Twitter Account

The University of Chester Law School now has its own Twitter account. Please follow us @chester_law

Don't worry we won't follow you in return!

Mock Employment Tribunal 27 February 2013 - 4 free places

Mock Employment Tribunal

What happens at a hearing?

Aaron & Partners and Acas are pleased to announce a unique opportunity toexperience a lifelike re-enactment of an employment tribunal at which

you will be able to witness an insight into the workings of a tribunal hearing including:-

•  How evidence is presented
•  How questioning takes place
•  How a decision is arrived at
•  How a remedy is considered

The tribunal will be presided over by Regional Employment Tribunal Judge

Stuart Williams.

This will be a full day event taking place on Wednesday 27 February 2013 at

De Vere Village St David’s

Ewloe

Deeside

CH5 3YB

Only 4 free places available.  Please email me if interested in attending p.hardie@chester.ac.uk

Law Students get a taste of the profession

Interesting article on a recent event at the University of Chester.

http://www.chester.ac.uk/node/17333

Suit Camp: Mock Assessment Day at the College of Law, Chester Tuesday 19 February

This event sounds like great experience of an assessment day before you have to experience the real thing:

Tuesday 19 February 2013 13.30 - 17.30 at the College of Law, Chester

Suit Camp will provide you with a number of tests and exercises that mirror those used by law firms to select trainees. There will be generic feedback on overall performance and hints and tips on how to succeed at future assessment days.

The day will take the following format:

• Commercial Awareness Workshop

Gives you the opportunity to sharpen your commercial awareness and practise your presentation skills

• In-tray exercise

An exercise that involves spotting grammatical errors within a contract

• Speed Interviews

An opportunity to practise your interview technique with expert guidance

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

http://www.college-of-law.co.uk/Our-Centres/Chester/Open-days-and-centre-visits/

National Pupillage Fair 9 March 2013

Register now to attend the UK’s largest and most established national pupillage fair; the best opportunity for students looking for pupillage to meet representatives from chambers, course providers and other organisations essential to a successful career at the Bar.

Taking place at Lincolns Inn, London on 9 March 2013 the fair includes opportunities to:

•	Talk to chambers’ pupils, tenants and members of pupillage committees and get all your answers to life at the Bar
•	Talk to representatives from law schools and other course providers about all things course-related
•	Compare different sets and course providers to make the best career match
•	Attend talks given by leading barristers about careers at the Bar – a chance to gain insights from among the best in the profession (click here to see last year’s talks)
•	Find out how to finance your career at the Bar
•	Pick up your must-read copy of the Pupillages Handbook and, if you haven't got a copy already, the leading sector-specific advice publication TARGETjobs Law.

For further details and to pre-register please visit:targetjobs.co.uk/pupillagefair

Interested in a cheaper alternative to the LPC?

Why not consider training to become a Legal Executive?  Having a law degree gives you exemptions to some of the CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) exams. Legal Executives can now become partners in Law firms.

Ann-Marie Dhillon of CILEX will be giving a presentation on how to become CILEX qualified on

Wed 6 Feb at 1.30pm in CWE124/2

Hope to see you there.