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I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the best questions FOR interviewers? (i.e. when you get the chance to ask questions at the end of an interview.)

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Hi,
I am considering retraining in Law - I have an Undergraduate Degree in History of Art, and a Masters Degree in Fine Art, and 15 years experience of working in a senior capacity in a government arms-length body in England. Retraining would allow me to specialise in the areas of my current role which I find particularly interesting and challenging.

I am Scottish, and in the long-run I would hope to return to Scotland to be closer to family and friends. I have applied for two-year Accelerated LLB Courses (Scots Law) at several Scottish Universities.

I am also considering either the MA (Law) and the GDL at The University of Law, which although more costly, have the benefit of being condensed into a single year.

I am trying to weigh up the costs and benefits of each - eg would I be better studying towards the GDL / MA and then take a training contract in England, with the option to requalify in Scotland at a future date? Or should I be thinking about the process in reverse?

Any advice welcome!

Hi All - I'm currently preparing for the Travers Smith interview.

I am trying to prepare a draft response if I'm asked about the challenges/threats facing Travers?

I was going to talk about how Covid has slowed down M&A activity and as Travers is quite big on this - how economic activity and Covid might determine the level of M&A activity.

Any thoughts will be appreciated

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had completed the Gateley Assessment/VI? I haven't yet done an assessment with this format and I am not too sure what to expect (especially the numerical/maths section) . Does anyone have any advice/insight on their experience, it would be very much appreciated!

Thank you!

Hi all,

I hope everyone is well, and regardless of the outcome of your apps/interviews, you are keeping strong and putting your health first.

I find myself in a predicament:

Let's say I'm offered a TC at Travers Smith (just as an example); what does this mean in terms of my future prospects? How easy would it be for me to move to another, 'more elite' firm upon qualification or later down the line?

I have no intention of speaking ill of any firm but, not long ago, a lawyer told me that, upon qualifications, the bigger law firms wouldn't be impressed with a TC at Travers or firms of a similar class. Due to the person's status relaying this information to me, I'm inclined to consider their opinion seriously.

I hope you all can appreciate that (1) I want to take up a TC at a firm due to the fierce competition for TCs, but (2) I'm not sure what the repercussions of doing so with X firm are?

I don't want to be pressured into accepting a TC with one firm just because it's my only offer. So, is it better for me to not accept the TC with such firms and re-apply?

What are your suggestions/opinions?

Sorry for the long thread!

Tiki

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Hey everyone,

I know this is a popular question in the forum, so I thought it would be great to have a thread where we collate recent topics that have come up at interview. It'll also help us improve our newsletter/commercial discussion feature to make sure we are focusing on the right topics.

I noticed someone on the main thread today was recently asked about the budget. If you've had a recent interview (or know someone who has), what other commercial topics have come up recently?

Best,

Jaysen

Hi everyone!

I'm due to start the LPC with BPP in September this year, but my firm have given me the choice between studying in Manchester or London: (tl;dr, I'm hoping somebody can send me the LPC study planners from those centres this year).

I'm leaning towards Manchester just because living costs (absolutely not feeling London rent as a full time student - especially if Holborn does end up closing lol), but want to check that Manchester traditionally offer all the electives I want to study, and get a rough sense of their timetable before I commit - ideally I want to make sure I can condense studying into 2/3 days a week. I know this will likely change each year, but want a general sense.

I attended a BPP open evening 2 months ago to ask for this and they provided me with an email to contact and told me to request the September 2020 study planner or draft September 2021 study planner. Since then I have emailed 3 times, and submitted a separate inquiry through a webform and have had absolutely zero reponse.

This kind of ghosting seems to track with what I've heard about BPP, so I was wondering if anyone is able to provide me with a copy of the 2020 study planners for either Holborn or Manchester?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

Hey everyone!

As some of you may know, I recently joined TCLA's Forum Team. Having used TCLA since I started applications back in 2019, this is such a wonderful opportunity to give back to a great platform and a wonderful community.

Just some background information about me:

• I am a final-year Philosophy student at the University of Warwick.
• I have had two first-year programmes: the CMS First Steps Scheme, and the Weil, Gotshal & Manges Fast Track Scheme.
• I have had two vacation schemes: Birdi & Bird, and Herbert Smith Freehills.
• I was offered two vacation schemes: CMS, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
• I accepted a (direct) training contract offer at Allen & Overy!

I was also lucky enough to have my mentorship programme, NVB Mentoring, become part of TCLA's Legal Accelerator, where I have helped candidates secure training contracts at Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, and Linklaters, amongst others!

Please, ask me anything!

Hello,

When writing cover letters etc should the practice names be capitalised?

For example:
"I am particularly interested in X's M&A, Banking and Litigation practices"

I know that you would for IP and M&A, but not sure about the others.

Thanks,
MrCG

Hello,

I am a non-law economics student in my 2nd year. I have secured a VS with a MC firm, and a non-legal commercial internship with a FTSE 100 firm. I am currently considering the routes to a TC if I don't convert. A lot of firms don't touch non-laws until 3rd year (for VS etc), and then a lot only recruit from VS.

Therefore,
-For firms that recruit all TC from VS, how does it work with converting it? If I converted it in 3rd year as a non-law when would the job start, after a gap year?
-For firms that recruit 40-60% from VS and don't allow non-law to apply til 3rd year, is it better to apply via VS or direct TC as a non-law in your 3rd year?

Thanks a lot

Someone sent me this tweet (Link) that shows that BPP completely emptied out their London Holborn centre.

This is despite BPP claiming that the centre will be reopened March 8th for study slot bookings as recently as the 24th of February. The whole place looks like a building zone full of rubble. Students were not informed of the "renovation" works.

Considering self funding students are still being expected to pay the London premium fee for BPPs courses, I feel that everyone should know how BPP treats its students. That is, if past news hasn't already convinced you.

Hi all, just thought I'd start a thread for anyone else who has applied to the Law Commission Research Assistant post -- according to the guide for applicants, we're meant to hear back today (but that seems increasingly unlikely given public sector working hours).

Currently a second year non-law student....what TC applications are still open in this instance?

Hi all,

I desperately need some advice...

I'm currently a second year Criminology student. But I wish to pursue Law. I didn't get into a Law course because I got CCC in my A Levels.

I've been so depressed the past two years, because I couldn't drop out because uni is a big thing in my family and I didn't want to disappoint my parents.

If you guys could help me with a few questions.

1. What law firms would accept a person with CCC grades at A Level? -If any even would

2. Do I even bother applying for Training Contracts?

3. Where and when do I even start?

4. What should be my next steps? What should I even be doing right now?

If someone could please help me I'd really appreciate it. I've never been so lost and done with everything. I don't want to pursue a career in policing or social work or anything like that. Do you have any suggestions on more career paths I can pursue with Criminology?