Obtaining a Pupillage - Some Wise Words of Advice

This is an interesting article for anyone applying for pupillage.

http://l2b.thelawyer.com/barrister/running-the-pupillage-gauntlet/1016377.article

Farewell to the third years

Please see below some information which may be useful for you as graduates of the University of Chester.  Good luck to you all and keep in touch.

 

Destinations Survey

 

You can help us by returning your Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey questionnaire later this year (November).  Please let us know if your contact details (including email address) have changed.

 

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Helping you after graduation

Our services are available free of charge for up to three years after graduation. If you would like to make an appointment with a Career Consultant visit us in the Careers and Employability Centre (opposite the Binks Building) at the Chester campus or the Martin Building at the Warrington campus or contact us via phone or e-mail.

T: 01244 513066 (Chester Campus)       T: 01925 534235 (Warrington campus)

E: careers@chester.ac.uk                      E: warrington.careers@chester.ac.uk

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Vacancies

Careers and Employability has an online vacancy and events system for students and graduates.  To use the system you first need to register by going to www.chester.ac.uk/careers/vacancies and then click on the “Online Vacancies Service” links.

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Graduate Head Start

 

Are you a recent University of Chester graduate not yet in a graduate job?

Are you looking for ways to make yourself more employable?

 

Then why not enhance your careers opportunities with our free Graduate Head Start (GHS) programme?

GHS is a unique and innovative three-day programme which been designed to support Chester graduates who are yet to find employment or who are not fulfilling their career ambitions.

 

What’s in it for you? 

·       Career Planning Day One - manage your career progression, analyse your skills, values and experience, learn how to complete successful applications and how to successfully prepare for interviews.

·       Career Planning Day Two - discover more about yourself, what type of learner you are and an opportunity to gain 20 credits at Masters level by completing the associated assessment.

·       Career Planning Day Three - learn about personal branding, effective networking and hear an employer’s perspective on what makes a successful graduate applicant.  Undertake a mock interview with constructive feedback being given.

·       A five-week work placement - undertake a developmental project, gain valuable experience and give your CV the competitive edge

·       Careers coaching from a Career Consultant - receive support with career planning including CVs, applications and mock interviews for specific job roles.

·       ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) - gain a nationally recognised IT qualification.

 

Programme dates:

Ø    September 2013 - 9th, 10th and 17th

Ø    October 2013 - 14th, 15th and 22nd

Ø    November 2013 - 18th, 19th and 26th

 

For further details please visit: http://www.chester.ac.uk/careers/graduate-head-start

 

 

The structure of the courts

I thought this was a useful reference document as it explains how the courts are structured and how the process interacts.

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Images/Layout/courts_structure.pdf

Training contracts and pupillages at the Government Legal Service

The application process for the 2013 Legal Trainee Scheme Recruitment Campaign for the Government Legal Service will open on 1 July 2013 and close on 31 July 2013.

The GLS recruits both trainee solicitors and pupil barristers and will be recruiting 20 candidates to start in September 2014 and 20 candidates to start in September 2015.

The GLS will pay your Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) fees in full provided you have not yet started the course.

For more information please go to

 http://www.gls.gov.uk/graduate-opps.html

Work experience opportunities at North Liverpool Community Justice Centre

I have recently spoken to the Community Justice Centre in Liverpool which is keen to offer placements to students of up to 1 week in August, September and beyond. This would involve assisting the District Judges, and talking to other legal professionals from CPS as well as Youth Offending teams etc.

Here are the details:

Peter O’Donnell

North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, Boundary Street, Liverpool,

L5 2QD

0151 298 3602

07500106502

peter.o'donnell@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk

If you are interested you need to email Peter O’Donnell a copy of your CV and a brief covering letter explaining why you want this experience and when you are available. 

Summer Placement at Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Future Talent Scheme

Are you looking for a placement scheme that will offer you a truly unique experience? Look no further than the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Future Talent Scheme (FTS). A six week paid work experience scheme run by the FCO with a total of 15 places available this summer.

This year the scheme is split into two strands: the first is for female undergraduates of any academic discipline (10 places); and the second for undergraduates - both male and female - who are studying a hard language (5 places).

Designed to give you an early insight into the unique work of the FCO, the placement is a chance to find out about the important part you could play here when it comes to your time to enter the job market.

What does the scheme offer?

·      The rare chance to experience first-hand the work and culture of the FCO in London

·      Paid work experience on your six week placement

·      A dedicated line manager and access to a range of development  opportunities that can be tailored to individual needs

Your future career?

Imagine being able to help shape the way countries act on the global challenge of climate change. Or support their efforts to tackle extremism. What if your work helped to stimulate overseas trade and investment in Britain? Or reduce the threat to the world of weapons proliferation? Imagine stepping off a plane, straight into a disaster zone – and being able to help the victims. A career at the FCO could give you all this influence.

For further details and to apply please visit www.capitaras.co.uk/futuretalent
Closing date for applications: 27th May 2013.

Why students should sign the petition against Price Competitive Tendering (PCT)

There has been a lot of publicity recently regarding the changes to the Legal Aid system proposed by Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary.  Some of these changes could affect you, as a Law student, so it is important that you understand the implications of what is being proposed.

Gray & Co Solicitors in Chester, is a criminal defence firm that would be directly affected by the proposed changes. It has written an article on its website which explains the proposals in more detail and contains a link to the e-petition you can sign

http://www.grayandcosolicitors.co.uk/blog/why-students-should-sign-the-petition-against-price-competitive-tendering/