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Hi everyone! I am a final year non-law student who is planning to convert to Law. It is a confusing time for non-law students since SQE will fully replace the old route via LPC (LLB->LPC/non-law->GDL->LPC). Although theoretically the SQE replaces both GDL and LPC, and GDL is no longer required for practising as a solicitor in the UK, many law firms still send their non-law grads to take GDL before completing the SQE exams. This leaves two questions for me:

(1) Is it more advantageous for non-law grads, who haven't secured any training contracts, to complete GDL/2-year LLB first before completing SQE?

(2) What are the differences between GDL/PGDL and 2-year accelerated LLB, in terms of studies and employment?

I notice that the University of Bristol provides a 2-year MA Law course (conversion), which in essence seems to have no difference from a 2-year accelerated LLB (except for the titles and entry requirements). For GDL/PGDL, I am more interested in BPP which seems to provide more practical knowledge for a career in corporate law. While for a 2-year accelerated LLB/MA Law (conversion), I am quite interested in UoL and Bristol. Any thoughts on these providers?

Hi all,

I wish to apply for paralegal roles at commercial corporate firms while applying or TC's. However, I have absolutely no idea of what to include in a paralegal cover letter. For a TC cover letter, I would usually follow why commercial law, why that firm and why you. I was wondering if anyone has any paralegal experience if they could help me out please? I also wanted to ask if a general cover letter, mostly 'copy pasting' cover letter contents is something that can be done for paralegal roles?

If anyone is also aware of any recruitment agencies other than Flex Legal, I would be very grateful!

Thank you so much!

Hello dear readers,
My name is Beyza Kocabiyik. I am an attorney at law registered at İstanbul Bar, in İstanbul, Turkey. And I am eagre to connect all my colleagues around the world and improve myself in daily basis. I am really excited for joining here. I mostly work in IP law, corporate law, immigration law and contracts. I would love to answer your questions about Turkish law system and dispute resolution mechanism in Turkey. I hope I figure out this platform quickly and contribute as much as I can.
Hope to connect with you all !

Quick question, but have HSF changed its test provider from SHL to SOVA? I am slightly confused.

Hi all, I have came across "tell us about a topic that you know, and why it is interesting to you" question.
Before attempting to answer the question, I wanted to ask if there is a certain way or technique to approach these kind of question.

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But we also know that not everyone can access TCLA Premium.

So we thought deeply about how we could make our best resources more accessible to the people who need it the most.

With that in mind, we’re delighted to announce the TCLA Scholarship Programme 2022-23, the biggest scholarship programme that we’ve ever run.

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What is being offered?​

TCLA’s Scholarship Programme will consist of 100 scholarships in 2022-23, with a combined value of £36,000. This includes:

• TCLA’s “Winter Scholarship School” – a virtual event held in December 2022 with interactive training sessions and the opportunity to meet with commercial lawyers
• Access to TCLA Premium for the duration of the programme, including hundreds of hours of training on the financial markets, case studies, the Watson Glaser test, and much more!
• 1-2-1 advice calls at the start and end of the scholarship programme and regular check ins for the duration of the programme
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• Live chat support throughout the duration of the programme and access to the Gold Members-only forum

The programme runs from October 2022 to April 2023.

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Please fill out the form below in no more than 400 words detailing why you are applying for the TCLA Scholarship and how it would help you. Please also submit a copy of your CV.

The information you provide will be kept 100% confidential. We expect to receive a very substantial number of applications, so we encourage you to go into as much detail as you are able to. In particular, we’d be interested in hearing more about any circumstances that may have limited your opportunities to access professional legal networks.

This could include (but is not limited to):

• If you were the first generation in your family to attend university
• If you worked more than 16 hours per week during term-time for at least two terms at college or university
• If you were eligible for free-school meals
• Your parents’ occupation when you were a teenager
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• You have received other forms of government financial support such as disability allowances, asylum support etc.
• Any means-tested bursaries or scholarships you have received throughout your education

The deadline to apply is Monday 3 October 2022. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Monday 10 October 2022.

Apply via this page of our website:

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I am currently studying the LPC at Ulaw and am considering purchasing one of the study guides. While the textbooks made by our uni help, I was thinking of getting a study guide that could possibly get me into that distinction level. I heard 'LPC Buddy' and 'LPC Answered' are good sources. Does anyone have any experience in purchasing these? Would greatly appreciate any tips!

Hey, I'm new here but to cut long story short, I'm a medical student at a top RG university, who's transferring out of medicine to complete a Biochemistry degree (3rd year, therefore finalist). My eyes are currently set on patent attorney traineeships, vacation schemes and training contracts, however, due to my recent decision to switch career course and my lack of professional development I have concerns regarding the feasibility of applications. While I feel quite competent in answering application questions (why this firm, what skills you have etc.) being able to pull transferable skills from other things I've done in life, I don't exactly know how much a lack of legal experience will affect me, I know this isn't a major issue for applying to biochemistry related patent traineeships, but for vacation schemes and training contracts many times it is asked about what legal experience you've undertaken or how you've been proactive in law. I've done a few virtual internships (Clifford chance and HSF), and will be attending open days this autumn season, but aside from that, I'm a fresh face to this scene. I of course intend to network via LinkedIn/email and will aim to get work experience prior to the summer vac scheme deadlines. But my big issue is that my second-year grades fell below (health reasons for the most part but not necessarily mitigating), I finished 1st year with a ~2.1, and got A*A*A* at A level, but due to a heavy fall in grades in 2nd year I fear it may not be worth applying until graduation (presuming a 2.1/1). Does anyone have any guidance for a situation like mine, or in general if it's worth applying despite lacklustre 2nd year grades?

Hi everyone, thanks again for all the help I have seen on the forums so far!

I am a fresh graduate out of an overseas law degree (common law), but am interested in commencing a TC in London. I have completed a law exchange programme during my uni in the UK so this goes heavily towards showing my interest in London.

The general understanding I get from talking with recruiters at law fairs is that for overseas law students like me (i.e. not international students who actually studied law in the UK), the biggest difficulty they have is seeing the commitment to work in London.

I guess my question is, how does one show the "commitment to London" without going off-topic in application questions? The issue is application questions frequently ask "why XYZ firm", which doesn't really factor in "why London?" (the part that seems implicit already).

I can understand, because firms spend lots of resources in recruitment and we may be considered a "gamble". And international students who studied law in the UK certainly have their niche of e.g. language skills, foreign experience with the additional benefit that they do not need to do a PGDL/ am already familiar with English law.

International firms do recruit in my home jurisdiction but I am really thinking of a TC in London.

I do see quite some people from non-UK jurisdictions joining law fairs so I thought it'll be helpful to start a thread so anyone can see too.

Hi everyone!

I am currently drafting an application for an Open Day at Taylor Wessing and this is the question they are asking:

• Why would you like to apply for an open day and if successful, what questions would you put forward to one of our lawyers? (500 words max)

I wanted to ask you advice on how I should structure my answer: (i) should I first answer the first part of the question, that is why I would like to apply for an open day, and then write my questions as bullet points, or (ii) can I mix those two parts and include the questions within my paragraphs about why I would like to apply for an open day? And if I go for option (i), should I divide the two parts equally - 250 words each - or can I use most of the word count for the first part and only write 3-5 questions at the end?
I was also wondering whether I should mention a specific lawyer's name or 'one of our lawyers' simply means anyone at the firm.

Thank you for your help and good luck to all of you!

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What do I do…

I’m a 3rd year (out of 4 years) languages student at Cambridge, and I’m wondering how to best use this year for my career goals.

I would really like to apply to a high performing law firm, eg Magic circle/US law/Silver circle. I’m really keen on international work and complex cases. Also, one of my key requirements is solid financial support to help me with cost of living during GDL + SQE. I can’t self fund either of these and I also would need a maintenance grant that is actually going to get me through living in London as I will have no help at all from my parents. These firms are, as far as I know, the only ones that will really substantially help students during this period.

But I’m not sure I make the cut. Admittedly I’ve only received one full on rejection (from A&O), but it’s early stages and I also have tried plenty of first year scheme applications before to no avail.

Grades wise I think I am fine. I have received a mid 2.1 both years and three A* at A-level… but I’m doing a languages degree and I have done very little to prove an interest in law so far. I have been somewhat ignoring my career goals and it’s only now, on a (non-legal) internship for my year abroad, that I’m realising how much of a mistake that has been.

I do have one week of work experience at a law firm in 2019, but since then it’s just been attending virtual talks, nothing that I feel could substantially support my application.

Should I keep applying for vacation schemes this year in case I might get somewhere? Or would it be a better use of my time to focus on getting as much other stuff to puff out my CV as possible, and only try to get a vac scheme in final year? If so, what sort of thing could I do virtually on my year abroad?

Thank you!! )

Hi, I am planning on applying to the HSF vac scheme. I was successful in the first year scheme application, and the questions are the same. For the question that asks you to explain a topic I am interested in, should I be choosing an entirely different topic and answer to last time? Of course, for others such as why I'm applying I have things to build on but was pretty happy with my topic answer. Thanks in advance

As the title says, I'm wondering how people have found their experience at Flex Legal?

Are the rates competitive?

Also wondering about the general length of time of each gig or role secured through the platform.

Thanks!

Hi !! Just started the LPC and already feeling the burden with applications - does anyone have any advice for the practical skills modules? Thank you so much

Hi! Does anyone know (maybe from last year or from experience) which law firms only require a covering letter (instead of application questions) to apply for a vacation scheme? E.g. White & Case

Thanks so much and good luck everyone!

Hi all,

I am currently applying to several VSs and have received the advice to support my observations about the firm with specific deals and/or clients.

1) Is this the correct approach, and when is it best to include such details?
2) Where would I find such information (ideally for free or for a low cost)? I have tried The Lawyer but most of the content requires a hefty subscription.

Many thanks in advance!

I am not reading Law for my undergraduate degree but I am hoping to apply to some of the insight schemes and Open Days on offer this academic cycle. I was wondering how I could prepare an answer to a question seen below? What are the firm recruiters specifically looking for in a response? I feel a bit lost because the reason why I'm applying to these events is to get to know more about commercial law but that's about it in terms of what I know...

Please outline the reasons why you would like to attend the Open Day/Insight Scheme at XYZ firm. (250-300 words max.)