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Hi, all
I'm wondering what information Vero Screening need for background checks.

I used to work for a huge tech company with 110k+ current employees. So it is difficult to locate individual ex-employees. I gave Vero Screening my ex-manager's business email since all the HRs who worked with me have already left the company. However, instead of asking my ex-manager to provide a reference, Vero Screening asked my ex-manager to give them an HR contact, so they can ask HR for a reference instead. Is it a common practice that pre-employment checks require references from HR, rather than ex-managers who have worked with the candidate? Thanks all!

Hi guys, I just finished my final year of my LLB at a London Russell Group and don't have a TC lined up for once I graduate. I was focused on other careers during the LLB, and only decided I wanted to pursue commercial law in my final year, so I don't feel massively familiar with applications to law firms and feel like I'm missing lots of what my peers picked up when they began applying in first year. I applied to a couple vacation schemes in this year's cycle but did not progress past application stage. Though I will be applying for some of the TCs that are open, I'm aware that my chances are probably slim because I lack any legal work experience.

I'm now considering applying for and self-funding the LPC, as I'm still eligible to do so because of when I started my degree. My other option was to find legal work experience as I continue to apply for winter VS/TCs in the upcoming cycle, but this obviously has the disadvantage of uncertainty and I will have lost a year if things don't work out. At least if I'm studying the LPC, I will be able to get a clearer idea of what work in practice looks like and take advantage of the careers service. Disadvantage of studying the LPC is obviously the fees and sustaining the living costs of another year in London. I'm not keen to self-fund the SQE simply because it's so new and because I still have the LPC option.

My main questions are the following:
1. Is it a bad time to self-fund the LPC when it's being phased out and many law firms will be using the SQE for their newer cohorts? Particularly as some firms may require the SQE2 to be taken even with the LPC?

2. Has anyone been in a similar position and taken the leap to self-fund? Would you say it was the best decision to help secure a TC?

3. Alternatively has anyone spent time post-graduation seeking out new work experience? Paralegal work is pretty much off the table for me with my lack of legal work experience, so I would be looking more at in-house legal intern positions [edit: currently trying for paralegal positions that might not be looking for much experience!]


I'd really appreciate any advice or anecdotes about my situation - I'm pretty anxious about how uncertain the future looks but am trying to stay positive so anything will help! Thanks in advance

Hey guys just wondering am I missing something here - I was under the impression that the Norton Rose Full-bright 2024 TC application was meant to open today (at least that's what I'm getting from the website) - but I don't see a link to an actual application form? Can anyone help I'm kinda confused lol

Hello everyone, I've got the Morrison & Foerster summer vac scheme in two weeks. I'm a little nervous and wondered if anyone who has done the spring scheme or a vac scheme at Mofo has any tips? I've combed through the advice on TCLA so have a good grasp of the general tips but want to know if there are any firm-specific things I should be aware of. Thanks In advance!

Hi all,

new member here who needs help targeting the right types of law firm and a realistic assessment of my chances of securing a TC.

i have a conversion MA in law with a goodish 2.1 (67) from a Russell group university. I got a first on my undergrad (same uni), albeit its in business and sociology. I joined a couple of societies and took part in sport/volunteering but spent more time concentrating on my studies than I probsbly should have. I have work experience in general and since graduating ive worked as an in house paralegal for a household name uk company and currently work for a regional uk firm as a paralegal in PI.

Heres the problem... my A-levels are atrocious, C C E. I have no mitigating circumstances on record, I was just around negative influences and didnt concentrate on my studies. for context, I have A's and B's at GCSE, with more A's than B's. I didnt apply for vacs scheme and tc's in the past as i assumed automatic rejection. I know this was stupid but I struggled with imposter syndrome and general fear of more failure, which im getting better with. The more i work in the legal sector the more ive loved it. so if i was to apply to regional/high street firms do you think i can get a TC?

my long term ambition would be to move to a larger firm PQ, possibly london but im not sure. i know thats not gonna happen off the bat but if i work up the ladder pq is that feasible? another issue is my current job is in PI and i have no modules in commercial subjects on my degree due to the 19/20 lecture strikes. Would it be possible though if i get a tc at a high street/ regional and keep progressing,
something like high street/regional firm training to a national or international firm PQ?

Any honest thoughts will be appreciated so please dont hesitate. This isnt a sympathy post, I have no one to blame other than myself and want to be realistic in the firms I target. I know a lot of city firms and large nationals/ internationals say they dont have minimuk A level grades but most people who I would be competing with dont have such a major blip as I have. Many thanks

Hi everyone,

ULaw have given students like myself an option to do exams online. I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate it if anyone who has done exams online can provide insight. I wish to do exams online but need to make sure it's a viable thing to do compared to the alternative

1) I understand it is protctored/invigilated. How is this done? Is it that you have your screen recorded and an invigilator is on your screen(kind of like Facetime). Sorry if this is a silly Q.

2) Do they make you take photos of your desk etc.

3) Regarding notes, can we access whatever as long as it is digital and on our systems? I know in the real exams, they let you take 2 binders full of notes, but online, how would they measure these binders. or is it the case of there is no specific allowance of a maximum of notes you can bring in

4) Linking to the above, can I search the notes(for e.g, Crtl+F), or is it that your screen is stuck on Ulaw's software that they use for writing exams online(I believe it is called Respondus?)

5) Finally(for now) , can you also have physical notes besides you IRL

Thanks

Hi, I have a paralegal interview at EY coming up and looking for some advice please. I think it will be largely competency based, but wondering how best to approach this due to the role not being based within a traditional law firm. Thanks!

Hello,

I want to know, what are the order of the subjects I will be studying. For year one and year two, if you can give a break down by the months, it would be greatly appreciated.

Has anyone completed the pre recorded interview for Shoosmiths TC before - if so, what kind of questions do they ask?

Hi All,

I wanted to drop in to say a big thank you to everyone who has posted across the forum over the last cycle. While I don't post in the forum as much these days, I still read many of the posts, and it gives me a lot of joy to see the way you support one another through this process. It's a testament to all of you to see the way you look to lift one another up and support those dealing with rejection.

I could never have imagined the community would develop the way it did and here is just a general message to say: we are very grateful that you choose to spend your time here. I know all of the team, especially the community managers (@AvniD, @George Maxwell, @James Carrabino and @Jessica Booker) are rooting for you to get that training contract. They speak so fondly about how you bond together during times of difficulty.

I think I've posted maybe one GIF in my entire life, but...



Best,
Jaysen

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Hi all,

Does anyone have any feedback from Orrick's past vacation scheme interviews? Also, does anyone have/know where to find any sort of list of past questions asked during Orrick interviews?

Cheers!