Why not use the Christmas break to start those work placement applications for 2018?

The Christmas break is a great time to unwind with family and friends and have fun.  You've worked hard all term so why not relax a bit? It might be a good idea, however, to give some thought to getting some legal work experience in 2018, particularly if you are a second or final year Law student.

You can leave it until after New Year but you do need to be aware that Work Placement or Vacation Scheme application deadlines will be coming up fast at the end of January or February 2018.  The holiday might give you time to look at the list of closing dates on Lawcareers.net and decide which, if any, of the larger firms you'd like to apply to.  

If you are interested in becoming a barrister, start applying for mini-pupillages for next summer.  See Lawcareers.net for details.

A growing list of Law firms offer open days for first years.  This is an ideal opportunity to spend a day at a large commercial Law firm.  For further details go to Lawcareers.net
Work Placements in the larger commercial firms usually last for one or two weeks during Easter or Summer 2018 and they are paid! You can also apply for other work placements in smaller firms.  You probably won't get paid but the experience gained could be just as valuable and you will be adding useful contacts at the same time.

If you are a second year opting for Work Based Learning in May 2018, why not look for opportunities at home to carry out your 5 week placement?  You can search for local firms at Find a Solicitor

Seasons Greetings from all of us in Careers and Employability!

Applications for the BPTC open on Monday 18 December 2017

If you are an aspiring barrister in your final year of university, Monday 18 December 2017 should already be imprinted on your memory.  In case it isn't, this is the date from which you can apply for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) on the BARSAS website.

There is a very useful guide on the website which is worth reading before you start your application.

I have summarised the key points below:

Students can apply for up to 6 programmes across the 8 Providers of the BPTC.
The 8 providers are:

1. BPP University Law School - London , Leeds, Manchester Birmingham
2. University of Law - London, Birmingham, Leeds
3. The City Law School (formerly Inns of Court School of Law)
4. Manchester Metropolitan University
5. Nottingham Law School
6. The University of Northumbria at Newcastle
7. University of the West of England at Bristol
8. Cardiff Law School

Most providers offer full time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) options.  

Funding

The costs of the BPTC vary from £14,500 to over £18,000 depending on the provider and its location.  You may be fortunate to receive a Scholarship for at least part of the cost from one of the Inns of Court if you applied in November.

If not, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the Student Loans Company for up to £10,000 if you choose to study the BPTC with a Masters option.  Check with providers to see if they offer this.

Other options include:

• Future Finance Loans
• Professional and Career Development Loans
• High Street Bank loans

Applicants are not required to be a member of an Inn of Court upon submission of their application but must be a member by 31 May 2018.

The closing date for BPTC applications is Wednesday 17 Jan 2018 at 12 noon.

 Applicants must pass an aptitude test, known as ‘BCAT’. It is a multiple choice computer based test which assesses applicant’s critical thinking and reasoning. Applicants will not be able to enrol on the BPTC without passing it. For further guidance on the BCAT click here

BPP Law School presentation - The Commercially Aware Lawyer Wednesday 6 December

BPP Law School is coming to the University of Chester on Wednesday 6 December to present on:

The commercially aware lawyer: What to bring to the table

Designed for aspiring solicitors, this interactive workshop is designed to cover the key attributes that recruiters look for in a prospective trainee.

The session includes:

·        What employers mean by commercial awareness

·        What it means to be a commercially aware lawyer in any area of law, including the high street

·        What commercial awareness means to clients

·        How to acquire, keep and demonstrate commercial awareness

·        Resilience - what is it, why is it needed and how to demonstrate it

·        Advice on how to enhance key employability skills.

The commercially aware lawyer: What to bring to the table – Training Session

Wednesday 6^th December 2017, 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Chester Parkgate Road Campus, Westminster CWE019

Book now: CareerHub. Don’t miss this opportunity!

ASK Law Q&A event on Wednesday 29 November 2017 - don't miss it!

This is an event not to be missed!

As part of the new ASK Q&A initiative  I have arranged for 3 speakers to come in to the University and answer

questions from students on anything concerning legal careers. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to talk to the speakers who are all from legal organisations in the North West.

Details are as follows:

We are organising a Law Q & A event as part of the ASK programme (Ask questions, Shape ideas, Kick-start Careers) on Wednesday 29 November.

This event will take place in White’s Dining Room from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Free pizza will be provided!

The speakers attending are

Duncan McAllister, Partner, DTM Legal, Chester

Duncan is a partner in the dispute resolution department and has extensive experience in commercial disputes, particularly shareholder/partnership disputes, as well as employment issues such as breach of covenants and wrongful dismissal.

Alison Pye, Recruitment and Talent Specialist, Fletchers Solicitors, Southport

Alison deals with the recruitment of staff including trainees and paralegals to the firm

Shahid Azam, Solicitor and Team Leader, Riverview Law, Bromborough

Shahid works for Riverview, an Alternative Business Structure (ABS), based on the Wirral and in Manchester. Some of our Law graduates are working as Trainee Solicitors here.

This will be an excellent opportunity for networking so please don’t miss it!

You can book now on CareerHub.

Deadline for NationalLawLive extended to Sunday 5 November 2017

NationalLawLive - Manchester, Friday 1 December 2017

Please see below - deadline for applications extended to Sunday 5 November 2017.

Are you considering a career at a large, national Law firm?  If so, this one day careers conference in Manchester on 1 December 2017, could be for you.  

Please see below for more details from the organiser, Lawcareers.net

NationalLawLIVE offers delegates an immersive, full-day event looking at the economics of national firms, what they do, how a career might progress and the life of lawyers working in this sort of business. It is timed to maximise the benefit to students intending to apply for 2018 vacation schemes.

The event includes:

• advice on crafting excellent applications, shining at interview and forging a successful career;
• exposure to, and insight from, some of the UK’s most experienced recruiters and lawyers; and
• networking opportunities with those same recruiters and lawyers, and fellow delegates, including during interactive firm-led workshops, which drill down into what it’s like to work in a particular practice area within a national firm.

Why should you attend?

If you want to learn more about life as a lawyer in a national firm, from the people who are already living it and those who hire them, and you have the experience and grades to back up your enthusiasm, then NationalLawLIVE is the perfect event for you.

Who will be there?

Graduate recruiters, trainees, associates and partners from some of the UK’s most prestigious firms. You will have a chance to hear their opinions and advice, speak to them directly at the numerous networking opportunities and impress them personally during the workshops.

How do you apply?

The application form is available here. The closing date for applications is 5 November 2017 but applications will be looked at on a rolling basis so apply sooner!  

If you are successful in gaining a place you will have to pay the delegate fee of £24. 

Make sure that you give your application the due care and attention required; we are looking for many of the same things that law firms are, so consider this good practice!

Think you’ve got what it takes? We look forward to receiving your application and wish you luck in your bid to be one of the hand-picked delegates at this unique careers event.

New resource for students - The Lawyer Portal

Want access to an amazing, brand new, FREE service to help you in your legal career? 

Check out The Lawyer Portal - officially partnered with The Bar Council and CILEX! 

Free guides written by lawyers and top law firms like Freshfields covering training contracts, pupillage, vacation schemes and mini-pupillage. Plus deadline calendars and direct links to application forms - 

 The Lawyer Portal

Find out more about being a TLP Ambassador for the University of Chester here

Future Legal Mind Award 2018 Offers £5,000 Top Prize

The 4th Future Legal Mind Award is now open for entries, offering UK law undergraduates the chance to win £5,000 and a valuable work placement.

The award, sponsored by National Accident Helpline, offers the country’s brightest legal minds a head start in the highly competitive legal industry.

Last year’s Future Legal Mind Award winner, Hana Kapadia, said: "Winning the competition will undoubtedly provide a huge boost to my CV, and is a huge aid financially, giving me a sense of security towards funding my studies.

I would definitely recommend entering the Future Legal Mind Award 2018.”

Entrants are required to submit an original essay on a specific subject relevant to today’s legal profession.

This year's Future Legal Mind essay question is:

“The personal injury legal sector is frequently attacked by government, insurers and media as ambulance-chasing lawyers seeking to promote a compensation culture.  What can organisations in the personal injury legal sector do differently in order to dispel the misconceptions and bring integrity back to claiming compensation?”

Essays must be a maximum of 1,300 words, excluding footnotes and a 100-word summary and need to be submitted by January 14^th, 2018.

Other previous winners and shortlisted candidates also say the award has enhanced their career prospects and has been great thing to have on their CVs, including 2016 winner Tom Phillips, who said:

"I have no doubt that winning the competition has provided a significant boost to my CV and will ultimately help me to obtain pupillage. I would encourage all law students to enter the Future Legal Mind Award - it is a unique and valuable opportunity."

Simon Trott, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline and chair of judges for Future Legal Mind Award 2018, said: “At National Accident Helpline, we set standards for our solicitors, and we believe that it is crucial to attract the very best people to the legal sector.

“With that in mind, in 2014 we introduced the annual Future Legal Mind Essay Award, to bring recognition to young legal talent who share our passion for giving customers the best service.

“Our winner is awarded with a financial contribution towards their studies and work experience at one of our high quality legal firms.

“It's been heartening to see the positive impact the last three years’ awards has had on our winners, and we are excited to be offering this chance to a new group of students for Future Legal Mind Award 2018.”

You can read more about the award, and enter your essay, at: www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/future-legal-mind

Step into Law Part 1 Presentation by the University of Law 25 October 2017

The University of Law will be on the Parkgate Road campus to present Step into Law Part 1 on Wednesday 25 October 2017.  This is your opportunity to find out more about the LPC and the legal market in general.

When?: 1.30 – 4.00pm on Wednesday 25 October 2017

Where?: Westminster 019

Step into Law is designed to provide you with an insight into the recruitment process for vacation scheme and training contract opportunities. The session is PERFECT preparation for those who want to become  a solicitor, giving valuable insight into the legal market, what you can expect with future assessments and tips on how to improve your employability prospects.

The event includes:
-latest developments in the legal market, pathways to qualification and an overview of the type of legal employers.

-how to apply for the LPC

If you are interested in the event please register your interest through the link below:

http://study.law.ac.uk/StepintoLawPart1

Don’t delay in booking your place as this event is likely to be very popular!

Welcome to all Law Students on behalf of Careers and Employability

Hello

My name is Philippa Hardie and I am the specialist Law Career Consultant here at the University of Chester.

A warm welcome to the University and to Careers and Employability, in particular. Enjoy Freshers' Week!

You might wonder why you are getting this message about Careers so early in your studies but it really is important that you start thinking about your future, whether in Law or elsewhere, from Level 4 onwards.

I will be meeting all of you during the Law School Induction during Freshers' Week on Wednesday 27 September.

I am based in Careers and Employability on the Parkgate Road campus opposite the Binks Building on Tuesdays and Fridays.




Please sign in to  CareerHub where you will find further details of all the services offered by Careers and Employability.

Also make sure you check the Careers and Employability section in the Law Hub on Moodle where you will find our Career Planning for Law Students booklet with example CV and Cover Letter handouts specifically for legal work.

Please follow this blog for access to legally-related issues, too.  There's always a lot going on in the legal world so plenty to blog about!

I look forward to meeting you.

Philippa

NationalLawLive applications now open for students - Manchester, Friday 1 December 2017

Are you considering a career at a large, national Law firm?  If so, this one day careers conference in Manchester on 1 December 2017, could be for you.  

Please see below for more details from the organiser, Lawcareers.net

NationalLawLIVE offers delegates an immersive, full-day event looking at the economics of national firms, what they do, how a career might progress and the life of lawyers working in this sort of business. It is timed to maximise the benefit to students intending to apply for 2018 vacation schemes.

The event includes:

• advice on crafting excellent applications, shining at interview and forging a successful career;
• exposure to, and insight from, some of the UK’s most experienced recruiters and lawyers; and
• networking opportunities with those same recruiters and lawyers, and fellow delegates, including during interactive firm-led workshops, which drill down into what it’s like to work in a particular practice area within a national firm.

Why should you attend?

If you want to learn more about life as a lawyer in a national firm, from the people who are already living it and those who hire them, and you have the experience and grades to back up your enthusiasm, then NationalLawLIVE is the perfect event for you.

Who will be there?

Graduate recruiters, trainees, associates and partners from some of the UK’s most prestigious firms. You will have a chance to hear their opinions and advice, speak to them directly at the numerous networking opportunities and impress them personally during the workshops.

How do you apply?

The application form is available here. The closing date for applications is 29 October 2017 but applications will be looked at on a rolling basis so apply sooner!  

If you are successful in gaining a place you will have to pay the delegate fee of £24. 

Make sure that you give your application the due care and attention required; we are looking for many of the same things that law firms are, so consider this good practice!

Think you’ve got what it takes? We look forward to receiving your application and wish you luck in your bid to be one of the hand-picked delegates at this unique careers event.

Government Legal Service (GLS) legal trainee scheme now open for applications

The application process for the 2017 GLS Legal Trainee Scheme (LTS) is now open.

The deadline for completion of the application form and situational judgement test (SJT) is 12pm (noon) on Friday 28 July 2017.

There are 47 trainee solicitor and pupil barrister places being advertised this year and the majority of the places are for 2019.  However, there are some places still available for 2018. 

All trainee places will be based in London.

You must have, or be predicted to obtain, a minimum of a 2:2 in an undergraduate degree. This does not have to be in law.
Please see Psychometric tests to practise verbal, numerical and situational judgement tests before you do them as part of the application.

The GLS recruits most of its trainees 2 years in advance so you need to be at least  in your second year of a Law degree or the third year of a non-law degree to apply. Graduates can also apply.

For more information please click here

Book your place now at The University of Law's National Law Fair on 5 July 2017

The University of Law is holding its annual national law fair on Wednesday 5 July 2017 at its centre in Moorgate, London from 1.00pm to 4.00pm.  The fair is open to all Law students.

This is an excellent opportunity to speak to the law firms and organisations about work placements and training contracts.  

Please book here . There is also a list of firms and organisations attending on this website.

There is some very useful information - Preparing for the Law Fair - which I recommend you read before you attend.  

Don't delay, book today!

What do all those legal terms mean? Read this A-Z guide to find out!

Have you ever wondered what some legal jargon actually means?

Do you know the difference between an ABS and a traditional law firm?

What does ABS actually mean?  For those that don't know, it stands for Alternative Business Structure! They were brought in after the 2007 Legal Services Act.  An ABS is actually a structure which allows non-lawyers to have a financial stake in a law firm. Examples of ABSs include established Law firms such as Irwin Mitchell, Weightmans and Knights 1759.  Riverview Law, based in Bromborough, Wirral and Manchester is also an ABS, as is Co-operative Legal Services (CLS).

The Lex 100 has put together a very useful A-Z guide of legal terms here

It's especially important to know the relevant jargon when preparing for an interview at a law firm, so don't get caught out, do your research beforehand!

What we know so far about the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

Lawcareers.net has published an interesting article about the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) this week.

This is definitely worth a read for any student thinking of qualifying as a solicitor from 2020 onwards. 

From then there will be four elements to qualifying as a solicitor:

• gaining a degree or equivalent qualification;
• passing the SQE;
• completing two years’ qualifying legal work experience; and
• passing the SRA’s character and suitability test.

Anyone who has already started the process of qualifying as a solicitor by 2020 will be able to continue to do so for a number of years afterwards.

"The Solicitors Qualifying Examination:what we know so far" is available here

Deadlines for 2019 training contracts coming closer!

The deadline for the majority of training contracts for 2019 is still 31 July, but there are some firms who have decided to bring their deadlines forward, mainly to 30 June instead.

Don't be caught out by missing a deadline.  Some of the well-known firms with deadlines of 30 June include:

• Eversheds Sutherland ( nationwide)
• Brabners (Liverpool, Manchester, Preston)
• Irwin Mitchell (nationwide)
• Burnetts (Carlisle, Newcastle, Penrith, Cockermouth)
• Shoosmiths (nationwide)

For the full list Lawcareers.net is probably the best resource. It is worth remembering that these deadlines do, on the whole, apply only to the larger commercial Law firms.

Use the list to identify firms you wish to apply for, note the closing date, so you leave yourself enough time to put together a strong application.

My piece of advice on this is, that it is better to do fewer applications but do each one well, than to try to do as many as possible before the deadline.

There are resources available to help you with your applications on CareerHub as well as on Lawcareers.net

Fieldfisher, a European law firm with a particular focus on technology, finance & financial services and energy &natural resources, will be hosting an early assessment centre on 15 July for training contracts starting in 2019 in London.

Applicants need to have applied and also completed the required psychometric tests before 2 July in order to be eligible to attend the assessment centre on 15 July, if selected.

More information on Fieldfisher can be found here

What next after your Law degree? What are your options with postgraduate study?

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 2017 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.

If you study the LPC LLM, MSc in Law, Business and Management, or the new MA Law at the University of Law, you could be eligible for a £10,280 postgraduate loan from the Student Loans Company.  Similarly, BPP Law School offers the LLM Legal Practice, which would also qualify you for a postgraduate loan.

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 2017 and will reopen for 2018 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.

Both the University of Law and BPP Law School offer BPTC LLM course which would make you eligible for a Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loan.

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 a Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loan of up to £10,280 could help you with the finances. See Find A Masters for details.

• If you had received a postgraduate loan for an LLM you would not be eligible for more funding from the Student Loans Company in order to study for an LPC or BPTC LLM

• 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!

The Bar Council's Law Reform Essay Competition 2017

Please see below for details of this year's Bar Council Law Reform Essay Competition.  As a current LLB student you are eligible to enter.

Please visit www.barcouncil.org.uk for further details, including the application form.

A must-read for students applying for training contracts

As the deadlines for training contacts for 2019 approach at the end of June or July, this article by Paul Gascoyne, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Shearman & Sterling, is definitely worth a read.

100 ways to improve your training contract application

Shearman & Sterling is an international corporate law firm with headquarters in New York and offices throughout the world, including London.  However, the advice given in the article above could apply to training contract applications for just about any law firm.