Step into Law Part 1 Presentation by the University of Law 24 October 2018

The University of Law will be on the Parkgate Road campus to present Step into Law Part 1 on Wednesday 24 October 2018.  This is your opportunity to find out more about the legal market in general and the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

When?: 1.30 – 3.45pm on Wednesday 24 October 2018

Where?: Chritchley CCR004/1&2

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:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/StepPart1-Chester

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 Steed 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 am based in Careers and Employability on the Parkgate Road campus opposite the Binks Building on Tuesdays and Fridays. I offer short drop-in appointments for quick queries as well as longer confidential guidance appointments.




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! Please follow the Law School Twitter account @UoC_LawSchool as well as the Student Law Society @ChesterSLS and find University of Chester Law School on Facebook too.

I look forward to meeting you.

Philippa

Less than one week to go for training contract applications in commercial Law firms for 2020!

With less than a week to go before the closing date of 31 July for training contracts in a large number of commercial Law firms, now is the time to finish off those applications.

Don't leave applying until the very last minute as this will show through.  Use the days you have left until the deadline to check over your forms one last time.  It's always a good idea to ask someone else to look through the application just in case you've missed a typo, or even missed out an answer to a whole question!  It happens!  You've spent a huge amount of time doing numerous applications so the last thing you want is to be rejected at the first stage!  We, as Career Consultants, are always happy to check CVs, cover letters and application forms for you.

Use resources like Lawcareers.net to help you.  Samantha Hope, the Head of Recruitment and Marketing for trainee solicitors at Shoosmiths wrote an article recently on the "Top 10 brainless blunders that could cost you your training contract".  It makes interesting reading.

Good luck!

LawCareersNetLIVE applications now open for students - Manchester, Friday 7 December 2018

Are you considering a career at a large, national Law firm?  If so, this one day careers conference in Manchester on 7 December 2018, could be for you.  It is designed for talented students (Law and non-Law) who want to learn more about how to build a career as a successful solicitor.

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

LawCareersNetLIVE 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 2019 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 LawCareersNetLIVE 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 26 October 2018 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 £29. 

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.

Deadline for 2020 training contracts in commercial Law firms coming closer!

The 31 July deadline for  training contracts in commercial Law firms to begin in 2020 is approaching, but there's still time to put together some good, targeted applications.

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. 

Here are  my top 10 tips when applying for training contracts:

1. Be realistic about the kind of firm you apply to.  Look at the selection criteria and be honest with yourself about whether you can match it.
2. Identify a shortlist of suitable firms and do your research on each one.  You need to spend time understanding firms and how they differ so you can make an informed application.
3. Read the application procedure very carefully and make sure you follow the instructions. You don't want to fall at the first hurdle because you misunderstood how to apply.
4. Make sure you know your own skills and abilities and have good examples of where you have demonstrated these skills.
5. Stick to word limits when answering questions but note that 100 words isn't enough to answer a question if the limit is 250 words.
6. Draft out answers to questions and ask advice from a Career Consultant to see if you are on the right track.  If you haven't answered the question your application will be rejected.
7. You must be able to write in a clear and concise manner.  There is no margin for error here so be very careful to check and recheck your application for errors.  Then show your completed form to a Career Consultant who will look at it with a critical eye.
8. Don't leave your applications until the last minute.  If you rush to meet the deadline you could regret it later.  Late applications will not be accepted.
9. Make sure you are commercially aware by keeping up-to-date with the business news as well as current affairs.
10. Check your application one last time and print off a copy.  You will need to revisit this if you are invited for interview!

Remember that the 31 July deadline applies mostly to commercial Law firms.  If you don't want to be a commercial Lawyer then don't apply.  You won't succeed in making a convincing application if your heart really isn't in it.

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

Good luck!

Day in the life of a Trainee Solicitor - The University of Law, Chester 18 July 2018

If you've ever wondered what life as a trainee solicitor might be like, why not find out by attending this free event at The University of Law, Chester on Wednesday 18 July from 10am to 4pm?

Book your place now here

Government Legal Department Legal Trainee Scheme opens for applications on 2 July

The application process for the 2018 Government Legal Department (GLD) Legal Trainee Scheme (LTS) opens on 2 July.

The deadline for completion of the application form is 12 noon on Friday 27 July 2018.

There are 75 trainee solicitor and pupil barrister places being advertised this year for those ready to start their training in September 2020 and 2019.  

The majority of trainee places will be based in London. However, 2 Trainee Solicitor places being offered by GLD (to start in 2020 and 2019) are based in Leeds.

This year, GLD is offering 13 trainees the opportunity to complete their entire training contract within GLD’s Commercial Law Group (working across the different commercial law teams).

Most of the available places will be offered by GLD but there are also some places available at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), National Crime Agency (NCA) and Competition & Markets Authority (CMA)
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.

For more information please click here