Alternative Business Structures - what are they and what do they mean for legal professionals?

Alternative Business Structures, commonly known as ABS, are here to stay in the legal marketplace. So what are they and why do you, as aspiring legal professionals need to be aware of their existence?

See the latest newsletter from Lawcareers.net for a comprehensive review of the ABS and what its introduction  means for future legal recruitment.

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Thinking of postgraduate study after your Law degree? What are your options?

Many of you now coming to the end of your undergraduate Law         degree may be thinking about           postgraduate study for next               academic year or beyond.

This can be divided as follows:

Vocational Study related to your Law degree

This, at present, comprises the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for aspiring solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) for intending barristers.

LPC

If you are considering applying for the LPC for September 2016 there are still places available at most providers.

There is no official closing date so providers will keep their course lists open for as long as possible.

How to apply

If you are applying for a full time LPC, you use the Central Applications Board website Lawcabs
You are allowed to make up to 3 choices of institution.  Bear in mind, that if you are a Law student at the University of Chester, you are guaranteed a place at the University of Law centre of your choice, provided you get at least a 2:2 in your undergraduate degree.

BPTC

Applications for the BPTC have now closed for September 2016 and will reopen for 2017 in late November. Check for updates on the BarSAS website.

You will also have to pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test before starting your course. See
Bar Standards Board for further information.

You must also join one of the Inns of Court before enrolling on the BPTC.

Don't forget, there are large sums of money available in scholarships from the Inns of Court.

• The application deadline for scholarships is always the first Friday in November in the year before you wish to commence the BPTC.
• You can only apply to one Inn.

Academic study related to your Law degree

LLM

You might be thinking about going on to Masters study and, in particular an LLM.  This could be a good idea if you really want to focus on a particular area of law, such as Human Rights, and intend to forge a career using that expertise.

A few points to remember about studying a Masters:

• It can be expensive, though new funding arrangements come into place in the UK from August 2016. See Find A Masters for details.

• You can often study part-time enabling you to work at the same time as studying

• You need to be motivated to study your chosen specialism at a higher level.  Even if you are doing a taught Masters as opposed to a Research Masters (known as an MPhil) you will be expected to carry out hours of study outside of lectures.

• Think again, if you are considering a Masters to make up for a poor result in your undergraduate degree.  Employers will see through this and look at your original degree result first!

Vacancy for BPP University Law School Liaison Officer 2016-17 academic year

BPP University Law School is looking to appoint a ‘BPP University Liaison Officer’ from the University of Chester.

The successful candidate will be a current student (law or non-law), who must be a member of the student law society. The candidate will be the main contact for BPP University Law School at the University and will be required to assist those students considering studying their professional legal training at BPP University Law School. The role involves proactively promoting BPP University Law School, its programmes, and events.  

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Distribution of BPP University Law School material (e.g. prospectus, promotional material)
• Proactively managing the Facebook group for all University of Chester students considering studying at BPP University Law School
• Raising awareness of, and ensuring a high attendance of BPP University Law School’s presentations and workshops taking place at the University
• Promoting BPP University Law School’s off-campus Education Liaison events, Open Evenings, and webinars across the student community
• Keeping BPP University Law School up to date with any relevant information affecting students at the University of Chester
• Liaising with relevant University departments and the student law society to co-ordinate any BPP presentations/workshops
• Being the first point of contact within the University student law society for any queries relating to BPP University Law School
• To be a highly visible BPP University presence, with a creative approach and the primary point of contact between the University of Chester and BPP University Law School

Requirements

The successful applicant must have the following essential qualities/qualifications:

• Excellent presentation/communication skills at all levels
• Be an active member of the law society
• A sound understanding of BPP University’s law programmes
• Initiative, enthusiasm, sense of humour and drive
• Excellent and meticulous organisation skills
• Ability to deliver effective feedback
• Desire to make a difference and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
• Good IT skills and familiarity with social media, especially Facebook and Twitter
• The ability to commit a minimum of two hours a week to promoting BPP University Law School’s products and services
• Strongly involved in the wider student community

Benefits

Upon successful delivery of the role’s duties, the successful candidate will be entitled to the following benefits package:

·         A scholarship, worth up to £2,000 for any programme delivered by BPP University Law School**

·         A guaranteed place on BPP University Law School’s LPC*, or -  full CV review with BPP University Law School’s specialist student mentor for the BPTC

·         Access to a BPP University Law School mentor; a qualified solicitor or barrister, who can provide careers coaching and advice. Where possible we will allocate you a mentor from your preferred area of legal practice

·         A full reference from BPP University Law School

·         An excellent set of skills to help stand out on applications and your CV

·         Access to BPP’s specialist careers service

How to apply

To apply, please e-mail a copy of your CV, short covering letter (one A4 page maximum), and a short video clip (two minutes maximum) of yourself explaining why you think you would be suitable for the role. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a Skype interview.

Please e-mail all applications to educationliaison@bpp.com.

Deadline for applications: Monday 16/05/2016

University of Chester Law Student gains major Scholarship Award to study the BPTC

Jessica Lawson, a final year Law student at the University of Chester, has been awarded a Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship of £10,000 from one of the Inns of Court to study the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).  Jessica had to complete a lengthy application form from Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of Court,  before going to an interview in London in early April.

The interview was conducted by senior Members of Middle Temple. Jessica was awarded the Scholarship, based on the following criteria:

• Intellectual ability - based on exam results and the capacity to conduct legal research and give written advice
• Motivation to succeed at the Bar - including knowledge of the the profession and acknowledgement of the skills needed by a barrister to succeed
• Potential as an advocate
• Personal qualities - required by Barristers including self-reliance, independence, integrity, communication skills.

This particular award, according to the Middle Temple website,"is available for candidates who are specially deserving of financial assistance, whether because of serious disadvantage or for any other obstacle that he or she may face or have faced in qualifying as a barrister. In selecting the successful candidates, emphasis will be placed on his or her character and ability to overcome adversity".

Jessica said, after she received the news of her success, "I am so pleased and shocked!" In September 2016 Jessica will commence the BPTC at BPP Law School in Leeds.