Vacation Schemes Training Contract Training Contract Journey

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Moving to Germany at some point during my career

S
Hi everyone,

This is a bit random maybe but don't know if anybody has any insight...

One of my life dreams is to move to Germany one day. Don't ask why, it just is! I am a Germanophile.

I have a law degree and just got a training contract offer.

How common is it / how possible is it, for UK-qualified lawyers to move to Germany? Has this ever been known to happen or is this just a pipe dream? What might be a conceivable route, if any? Is there a particular practice area I could try to qualify into that make it more likely (like competition law)?

Thanks :) 🇩🇪
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PGDL or Straight to SQE

U
Hi all,

Apologies if a similar thread has been posted previously, I am just not entirely clear on the new SQE route for qualifying as a solicitor.

I am qualified tax advisor for a big four firm with a history BA and MA. I am intending to take a part-time PGDL with BPP (self-funded) or UoL beginning in September or January, with a view to training as a tax solicitor.

As I understand it, under the new system I will have to obtain an SQE even if I complete the PGDL. As such, in my circumstances, would it be advisable to simply enter an SQE prep course and skip the PGDL entirely? Or, would I require the PGDL for a law firm to even consider me for a training contract?

Thanks in advance.

Edit - I think I should've posted this in the general discussion forum, could the mods please move if possible (not sure how).
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Work/Academic References: Does designation of the reference matter, and what are they asked?

I
Hi,

Several Vacation Scheme/Training Contract applications ask for work and academic references. I was wondering, does the designation of your reference make a difference to your application? i.e. if you have a reference from a Partner, does that give more weightage to your application than a reference from an Associate? Similarly, does a professor's reference hold more weightage than an associate professor? Further, are the academic credentials of the referee, i.e. the place they studied at, their research experience, taken into account at all?

Additionally, what are these work and academic references asked when they are contacted? Are they asked to give a reference letter/character reference, with details about the individual's performance? Or merely confirm basic details, like you worked at xyz at these particular dates?
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*PLEASE HELP!! DWF Assessment Centre and Interview (Training Contract and Vacation Placement)!!*

P
Hi,

Can anybody tell me any interview questions they had for the DWF Law Training Contract and/or the vacation placement? Past or present experiences, please, would be a great help. I am usually anxious when it comes to interviews.

Can anybody please share the questions they got on the video interview AND at the assessment centre as well?

Thank you so much!!
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Oh boy

ballad[e]
Hi! I'm ballad. I'm new here. I'm half Japanese and half English, and I'm probably going to be starting my GDL this september, without a training contract. It's nice to meet you all, especially those of you in a similar position to me. The next year is going to be a lot of hard work, but I'm a tough cookie who always knows there's light at the end of the tunnel, and it always helps when there's a community to back you along the way. I look forward to chatting!

(that's my dog)
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Do you need to tell your sponsor firm your degree results?

M
Hi everyone,

I have a TC with a US law firm. They have a small intake. My offer letter didn’t give any stipulated requirements relating to my undergraduate degree.

I am going to start the GDL. The provider says on its website that it requires a 2.1 degree, but they have inducted me into the programme without asking for any proof etc.

I got my undergrad results the other day, so I know that if asked to show that I got a 2.1 or above, that I can.

Is it standard practice to email your undergraduate results over to your sponsor firm? I was slightly under the impression that it was a ‘given’ that their future trainees would get good enough results.
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Oxford BCL or Cambridge LLM for firm applications

L
Hi all. I am currently trying to decide between the Oxford BCL and Cambridge LLM.

Does it matter which one I pick when it comes to applications? I understand the BCL is more well-regarded for the Bar, but I don't believe postgraduate matter very much for commercial law firms (please correct me if I'm wrong). I do hope to become a commercial solicitor so would like to choose the one that would be more beneficial (however small) when it comes to applications.

I would also be grateful for any general tips or comments on which one I should pick. Thank you.
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Got a training contract offer, but there's a problem

B1806
So, I already mentioned this in a previous thread, but I will be going to a US law school as part of a dual degree next year. This effectively means that instead of graduating in 2022, I will be doing so in 2023 and will have both an LLB and a JD. I recently received a call from a City law firm offering me a training contract after the completion of their vacation scheme. This puts me in a huge bind. I'm assuming that they would be willing to defer my training contract by a year (I've heard of firms doing this), so the 2023 graduation date probably isn't that big of a problem. The problem is whether I should accept the offer or not. In late July, I will be interviewing for summer associate positions at a number of US firms through on-campus interviews or OCI (which is the way recruitment works in the US, at least at top law schools). The success rates at OCI are extremely high (only about 10% of people DON'T land a summer associate position by the end of it) and I think I should probably be fine. That said, it's not guaranteed. Because of this, I'm contemplating accepting my training contract offer, but that would mean I would be unable to accept work in the US since I would be bound by my contract in London. An additional problem is that the compensation offered in London is just not enough to cover the costs of law school (which, altogether, will probably end up costing around $185k, i.e. £134k).

What should I do in this situation? Is it possible to ask the firm that's giving me the offer to give me additional time (i.e. until after all my OCI offers or lack thereof are in), as well as deferring my start date? Should I just accept the offer?
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Received TC offer halfway through a Vac Scheme at Another Firm

L
Hello, hope this is the right place to ask about this!

Basically, I received a dream TC offer halfway through my vac scheme at another firm. It is a dream TC for me so I am absolutely certain about accepting that offer. Because it took quite a few correspondences back and forth to confirm my offer and I wanted to make sure that everything is set before disregarding other opportunities, I did not notify the firm where I am taking the vac scheme at.

What really bothers me is the right way to handle this. In the vac scheme that I am currently on, the partners and associates really have put a lot of effort into reviewing my work. Because I am close to the other participants and we do share what we are up to, I know that I was arranged special review sessions for certain tasks and was given the chance to look at confidential documents beyond the assigned tasks. I feel so bad about this, primarily because before the commencement of the scheme I was told repeatedly that the scheme is only for people who are interested in seeking a TC with the firm- If I am no longer interested, then I would need to let them know.

I have completed all the work in advance and tomorrow is my last day. I feel like I might as well complete the entire scheme. However, I feel like I will most likely expect some review sessions with the partners tomorrow and I am not sure how I should be handling this. Should I be honest and tell them that I am no longer interested, or should I just stick with it as if I had never come across that TC offer?
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BPP LPC help. 3Days?

M
Hi Everyone,

I have been told by my firm that our cohort are scheduled to do the LPC at BPP attending Holborn campus 3 days a week.

Has someone had this schedule before, and could you kindly tell me roughly the time frame? Was it like 9am start, or sooner/later? How many hours each day? I have contacted BPP but no response yet.

I have some caring responsibilities to manage alongside my studies and would like to have a heads up into what is expected.

Many thanks!!

M&A
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Effective strategies for excellent attention to detail, time/task management and working under pressure as a trainee/future NQ

KM6363
Hi all

I wondered if anyone had advice on the following:

1. Attention to detail - Are there any systems and/or checklists you use to ensure you never make mistakes, eliminate typos etc in your work and always produce the best work product? This is an area I struggle with particularly when working under time pressure.

2. Managing workload - Are there any time management processes or systems I can put in place that work? For example making use of apps or calendars etc.

3. Working under pressure - So far I have only worked at small firms and am conscious that the Big Law environment is completely different. How can one manage working under intense pressure and still succeed?

I will be joining a US firm and want to master the above to ensure I succeed in the short and long-term.

Thank you all for your help!
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Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2021/2022 - Law Firm List with Opening and Closing Dates

Jaysen
Hey All,

As law firms start to announce their opening and closing dates for the upcoming vacation scheme cycle, we'll keep an updated list on this below. In all cases, we'll post only when it's verified on the firm website with the link. We will also split between Winter/Spring/Summer where the dates differ.

Here is the initial formatting, but I will adjust this for easier reading as we grow the list of firms. There are also still plenty of firms to add: If anyone else wants to help, please comment with more firms, the relevant dates, and a link to the firm website.

Thank you!

-----------------------------------------

Vacation Scheme Opening Dates (for 2021-2022 Vacation Schemes)​

August 2021​

September 2021​

October 2021​

November 2021​

December 2021​

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Vacation Scheme Closing Dates (for 2021-2022 Vacation Schemes):​

Winter Deadlines​

October 2021​

November 2021​

Spring Deadlines​

November 2021​

December 2021​

January 2022​

Summer Deadlines

December 2021​

January 2022​

February 2022​

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