Law Commission now recruiting for September 2015

Happy New Year to all Law students!

To start off the New Year, as always, the Law Commission is recruiting up to 18 Research Assistants to work for approximately 51 weeks starting in September 2015 in London.  The posts will be available in the following areas:

Commercial and Common Law
Criminal Law
Property, Family and Trust Law
Public Law
Statute Law Repeals

Applications are now open for final year Law students and close on 29 January 2015. Interviews will take place in March 2015.

For more information go to
http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission/working-for-us/jobs.htm

Applying for the BPTC for September 2015?

Applications for the BPTC for 2015 are now being accepted.  There is a change this year to the web address for applying. This is now to be accessed via The Bar Student Application Service which can be found at https://www.barsas.com/

 

The closing date for applications is Monday 12 January 2015.

 

Candidates must pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/qualifying-as-a-barrister/bar-professional-training-course/bar-course-aptitude-test/

Candidates must also join an Inn by 31 May 2015.

 

Please let me know if you need any help with your applications.  Email me at p.hardie@chester.ac.uk

Vacation Schemes for Summer 2015 - time to apply now!

If you are interested in a career as a commercial solicitor in a larger firm then this blog post is for you.

 

The time of year is approaching when you need to focus on vacation scheme applications.  Many firms who offer these will have a deadline to apply for an Easter or Summer vacation scheme by 31st January 2015.
 
The application process for vacation schemes can be very similar to the training contract application process and in some cases, applications for both are made on the same form.

In order to ensure that you stand the best chance of securing your vacation scheme, make sure that you:

1. Plan ahead – don’t leave it until the last minute. Application forms can take a considerable amount of time to prepare (if you are doing them properly!).
2. Do your research – be clear about who you want to apply to and why. Be sure to check the minimum application criteria.
3. Target your applications. Make sure that you understand what the firm is all about, looking at key practice areas, location, key clients and culture.

For details of the Law firms offering vacation schemes go to www.lawcareers.net and

http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes

Manchester Law Fair is now less than 2 weeks away

Manchester Law Fair 2014 is taking place at Manchester Central on Tuesday 18 November from 12.30 - 4.00pm.

This is one of the largest Law Fairs in the country and is open to both Law and non-law students from any university.

This fair is an excellent forum for students and graduates to have discussions with firms of solicitors about their opportunities for vacation placements and training contracts, to talk to training providers about their law courses or to find out about careers at the Bar or in other areas of Law.

Online registration for the fair is now open.

Sign up on the Law School noticeboard at 67 Liverpool Road for the free coach to take you there!

Details of the exhibitors and the link to online registration are available at:
Law Fair Exhibitors

Please see below for link to my presentation on how to prepare for the
Law Fair:

Last few days to apply for City Law Live on Friday 12 December!

Please see below message on behalf of City Law Live

Thinking about a career in a City law firm? Kick start your vacation scheme or training contract search with a full day of advice and insight from partners and recruiters at top firms.
 

The CityLawLIVE careers conference is for talented students who are considering a career in City law. The next conference will take place on 12 December 2014 to maximise the benefit to students intending to apply for 2015 vacation schemes. The conference will focus on the practical aspects of City law careers from the application stage and throughout the career path. The event will gather together some of the City’s most enthusiastic legal graduate recruitment partners and law firm managers, who will share their experience and knowledge with the next generation of City lawyers.

The event will feature:

• live and virtual networking prior to and at the event;
• crowd-sourced questions for discussion panels, both from the audience and via social media;
• student participation in law firm-led workshops.

We have already made two rounds of offers to some excellent candidates and you could be joining them. To avoid blunders and to maximise your chances of success, make sure to read the insightful tips contained in this blog from conference organiser and LC.N managing director Sinead Dineen: City Law Live

To apply, go to the application form and submit before midnight on Friday 7 November.

Important news for students applying for the BPTC

If you are thinking of applying for the BPTC for September 2014 please note the following: There will be a new website for applications www.BarSAS.com (this is not yet live as the site is undergoing final testing).

The timetable up to the issuing of first round offers is as follows:

   17th November (midday)   Applications open

   12th January 2015                   Round 1 closes

   16th March                               Round 1 offers made

Please remember that applications for scholarships from the Inns of Court close on
Friday 7 November.

 

Important dates for all Law students to note

It's that time of year when graduate recruitment for all sorts of different careers gets started and Law is no exception.  There are deadlines to be aware of for second and third year students, in particular, so I have summarised the main ones below and included what's happening in the Law School for careers events.

Firstly, if you are in your final year and are thinking of applying for the BPTC you need to know:

1. Unless you expect to achieve a 2:1 or a 1st in your final year, you are wasting your time and money in studying the BPTC.
2. The deadline for applying for a Scholarship from one of the Inns of Court is Friday 7 November 2014.  Huge sums of money are available to help with the high cost of the BPTC so don't miss out.
3. Applications for the BPTC open on 10 November and close on 12 January 2015.

Please let me know if you need help with your applications.

Secondly, dates to remember:

University of Law presentations:

Part 1 - What it takes to be a lawyer - Wednesday 22 October 1.30 - 3.30pm
Binks CBK106/1  Email me p.hardie@chester.ac.uk to book your place

Part 2 - Solicitor Insight Event - Wednesday 12 November 4.00 - 7.00pm
University of Law, Christleton  Free transport to Christleton provided

If you attend Parts 1 and 2 you get a certificate of attendance

Interested in the LPC?
The University of Law will give a presentation on the LPC and how to apply on Wednesday 26 November from 1.30 - 3.00pm in Binks CBK013
Please sign up at www.chester.ac.uk/careers/vacancies.  You will need to register first if you have not already done so.

Please remember that your Law degree does not expire.  It is valid for life!

Don't forget Manchester Law Fair on Tuesday 18 November.  Sign up for the free coach in the Law School shortly!