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.

SRA goes ahead with decision to implement Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The decision has been made.  The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced this week that its planned Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is going ahead.  

This means that the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) will cease to exist, but not yet! The SRA plans to implement the SQE from September 2020, at the earliest, a year later than originally scheduled.

What does this mean for you as a Law student, if you wish to qualify as a solicitor?

If you are interested, I suggest you might like to read the following:

Lawyer2B - How will the super exam affect you?

Lawcareers.net - New 'super exam' confirmed for qualifying solicitors confirmed for 2020

There are lots of decisions still to be made about the detail of the changes by the SRA and others, but for the time being it's very much "business as usual"!

What to expect at an Assessment Centre for a Training Contract

If you've received an invitation from a Law firm to attend an assessment centre for a training contract, you may be wondering what to expect on the day.

This varies from firm to firm but is likely to comprise at least some of the following activities:

• Written test  - you could be asked to write a short report on a business-related subject. Normally you are not expected to show in-depth legal knowledge.
• Group exercise - as the name suggests you will be given a topic to discuss in a group of 6-8 people. Again, this could be a business or legal problem or it could also be something quite random.  There won't be a right answer whatever the problem is.  You are being assessed on your ability to work in a team, get your point across, and interact with the other people in your group.

• Case study - you will be given this to read and make notes on what you think the key issues of the case are.  You will then be invited to discuss the case with a partner or senior lawyer who will be assessing your understanding.
• Partner interview - you may have already had a first interview with someone from Graduate Recruitment.  This interview is an opportunity for a partner to assess you on 3 key points:

1. Can you do the job? Do you possess the necessary skills and knowledge?
2. Will you do the job? What is your motivation for becoming a lawyer in that firm?
3. Will you fit in?  The culture can vary quite a lot depending on the firm so the partner will be assessing whether you are the right fit for the team.

Shearman & Sterling has produced a short video on assessment centres which is well worth watching. You can view it here.

University of Chester Law students visit Lincoln's Inn

On Wednesday 5 April 8 Law students from the University of Chester Law School attended an Information Afternoon and Evening at Lincoln's Inn in London.

The students mingled with undergraduates from other Universities over tea before sitting down to an afternoon of very interesting talks, given by practising barristers from both the employed and the self-employed bar.  The aim of the talks was not to try to recruit students to the Inn or the Bar as a profession, but to give them a realistic view of  life as a Barrister and the challenges they may meet along the way.

The talks were followed by a drinks reception, giving students the opportunity to network with Members of the Inn, including the speakers, other barristers and judges.  Everyone then took their places in the Old Hall for a formal dinner with speeches.

The students all thoroughly enjoyed the event.  Scott Hughes, a first year Law student said," I got the chance to discuss some great topics with barristers, judges and also in the presence of Lord Neuberger. It has definitely strengthened my decision and increased my determination to become a barrister."

Diana Murariu, also a first year Law student, commented, " The event was a great experience. Besides being a lot of fun, we got the chance to talk with barristers and judges and they gave us useful advice. It definitely helped me to make a decision regarding my future, and now I know what I need to do next to achieve my goals."

Pictured below are some of the Law students who attended from the University of Chester.