Pupillage Gateway opens for applications on Monday 4 April 2016

Pupillage Gateway is now getting ready to open its submissions window for applications on Monday 4 April at 11.00am.

All chambers must advertise their pupillage vacancies on the Gateway even if they do not recruit through it. For those chambers who manage their recruitment process outside the Pupillage Gateway, please refer to the instructions in the vacancy advert or the chambers’ website for further details.

For those chambers that do recruit through the Gateway, you have exactly one month to make up to 12 pupillage applications before the closing date of  Wednesday 4 May.

You can now access the Pupillage Gateway to browse vacancies which are being added all the time.  A practice online application form is now available and once you start adding your details, these will be copied across to your live pupillage applications after 4 April. You can tailor all sections of the application form to each pupillage vacancy.

If you are now in the final year of your Law degree and are starting the BPTC in September 2016 you should be starting to apply for pupillages now, 18 months before you are available.

I am always happy to assist students with applications, so if you need any help, please contact me.

For more details and to start preparing your applications please go to Pupillage Gateway

University of Chester Law students visit Lincoln's Inn

On Wednesday 2 March 10 Law students from the University of Chester Law School attended an Information Afternoon and Evening at Lincoln's Inn in London, accompanied by Philippa Hardie, specialist Law Career Consultant, at the University.

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 Great Hall for a formal dinner with speeches.

The students all thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  Laura Macmillan, a first year Law student said," It cemented my future career choice of becoming a barrister and it gave me a clear path to follow.  I felt reassured upon leaving that despite the fierce competition, I have a good chance of fulfilling my dream". 

Polly Green, also a first year Law student, commented, " A fantastic evening was had by all. The knowledge and experience that was shared with us was invaluable.  A brilliant insight into the reality of life at the Bar."

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

Less than 2 weeks to go until the National Pupillage Fair

Please see details below of the TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair at The Law Society, London on Saturday 5 March 2016.

Pre-register now to avoid the queues!

The UK's largest & most established National Pupillage Fair

The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Saturday 5 March 2016

The TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair is the best opportunity for students looking for a pupillage to meet representatives from chambers, course providers and other organisations essential to a successful career at the Bar.

Register now for your chance to:

• Talk to chambers’ pupils, tenants and members of pupillage committees to get answers to all of your questions about life at the Bar. • Talk to representatives from law schools and other course providers about all things course-related. • Compare different sets and course providers to make the best career match. • Attend talks given by leading barristers about careers at the Bar – a chance to gain insights from among the best in the profession. • Pick up the brand new edition of the Pupillages Handbook, hot off the press. Register at National Pupillage Fair

Still time to apply for a first year Law Insight Day

If you are a first year LLB student you still have time to apply for an Insight or Open Day at one of the larger Law firms.

Why attend?  If you are successful in getting a place at one of these days and you make a good impression you'll be in prime position to apply for a Vacation Scheme  and Training Contract in your second year.

These are the firms that offer sponsorship for the LPC so it's worth investing some time and effort now to submit some applications.

During your day at the firm you'll be able to start  thinking about how you can differentiate yourself through the application process, and you'll gain practical insight into what law firms really look for in graduate recruits.

You'll usually have the opportunity to meet Partners, Trainees and the Graduate Recruitment team.

You need to act now as closing dates are coming up fast.

See www.studentladder.co.uk/Law-Solicitors/law-solicitors for details of firms offering these opportunities.

Law Society Diversity Access Scheme opens for applications Wed 3 February 2016

Please see below for details of the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) which opens for applications on Wednesday 3 February and closes on Wednesday 6 April.


The Diversity Access Scheme

Opening doors, changing lives:
scholarships for the solicitors of tomorrow

The Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is a scholarship with a difference. It provides awardees with:


Finance 

Funding for up to the full cost of your LPC fees.

Professional contacts

A professional mentor to help answer your questions about starting your career in law.

Opportunities to gain work experience

Work experience placements, brokered through the Law Society.
Already it has helped over 170 students complete their professional education. Without the DAS these students would not have been in a position to join the profession.

If you don’t have the financial means to pay for your LPC, the DAS might be able to help.

To find out more visit www.lawsociety.org.uk/das 
or email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk 

Applications open on 3 February and close on 6 April 2016

Fletchers Solicitors & Legal Cheek - Panel/Networking event Thursday 3 March 2016

Please see link below for details of an event hosted by Fletchers Solicitors in Southport on Thursday 3 March.  

Fletchers Solicitors is a law firm based in Southport that specialises in the areas of Serious Injury and Medical Negligence.  To find out more about the firm please visit the website

Fletchers Solicitors

Attending this event will mean you are also considered for a place on the firm’s 4-week Summer Placement scheme in 2016.

The event is open to all students -- both law and non-law -- with applications from those based in the North West particularly encouraged. Fletchers is covering the cost of train fares to and from its Southport headquarters where the session will be held. 

For further details please see:

 http://hub.legalcheek.com/event/7

Still time to apply for a Spring or Summer Work Placement Scheme

It is not too late to apply for a Spring or Summer Work Placement Scheme although the closing dates are now coming up fast!

If your goal is to secure a training contract at some stage after your Law degree and you are currently in your second or final year, you might like to apply for Work Placements or, to use their more common name, Vac schemes. Some firms recruit their trainees solely from successful participants in their Vac schemes, so it really is worthwhile to apply.

The larger commercial law firms have opened their spring and summer Work Placement schemes for applications.  Most of the closing dates are mid to end of January or February 2016 although some firms will offer places before the deadlines so it can be worthwhile to apply early.

What's even better is that as well as a Work Placement looking good on your CV, you also get paid, usually between £250 and £350 per week!

For details of firms offering Work Placements and closing dates see:

Chambers and Partners
Target Jobs
LawCareers.Net


Good luck with your applications!