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I don't know if I am being idealistic here so any advice or opinion is welcome. By way of background, I have had some success in the 2022 cycle with interviews at law firms but none for the past two cycles.

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows any good websites that reliably list all recent and important cases that magic circle firms/london firms in general, have closed. I know the firms' websites already provide for a few ones but I'd like to see a more organised and detailed list, possibily dividing cases based on their field (I'm interested in m&a).
I'd be so grateful if anyone answers!

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2026.

Apply here by 31 July 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2026.

Apply here by 31 July 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2026.

Apply here by 31 July 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2026.

Apply here by 31 July 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2026.

Apply here by 21 July 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a training contract at the firm, commencing in 2027.

Apply here by 31st July 2024.

Hi!

I've recently got back first year grades, and I have unfortunately got one 2:2 module. The full breakdown -

Contract Law - 69
LSE100 - 69
Tort Law - 67
Public Law - 63
Criminal Law - 55

Average - 64.6 (~65)

I understand that I should be able to make most applications given that I received a 2:1 (but that the 2:2 module would be considered a red flag). Despite having secured 5 first year schemes and having done a fair bit of extra-curriculas, I'm more concerned about the firms that outright reject candidates based on one 2:2 module or see a 2:2 module as heavily detrimental to a candidate's application.

I would like some advice on which firms to avoid applying to in second year in this regard. Or if I've got it completely wrong, please let me know, as I have got mixed information about grades.

Thanks for the help in advance!

Hi I'm currently on a VS at a mid-sized firm (Stephenson Harwood). Ik that others on the scheme have updated grad rec about exam results they've received during the scheme. I've recently received my GDL results and also, since filling out the application form in September, I've participated in 2 vac schemes at other firms. Would it be wise to email grad rec about these extra updates to my CV, not included in my original application? Not sure if telling them about other vac schemes (I'm awaiting the results of these) will increase or decrease my chances of converting VS into a TC. Any help is much appreciated, thanks

Just wondered if anyone had any advice re renting in London during SQE. I am being sponsored by a firm with an additional grant of £10,000 a year for living costs. I am fortunate enough to have some savings and parental input to allow me to afford rent in London for a year to top up the grant but I wanted to know if any other students have had problems trying to rent as a student (and not full-time professional)? A lot of the rental properties myself and my partner (full time working) are looking at dismiss applications from students (even though I am receiving a grant). How have people got around this?

Has anyone done the Perkins Coie interview for the legal work experience opportunity. I’m not sure what kind of questions will be asked as it’s with both business service professionals and associates - both separate interviews, however the associates are unavailable so my interview will only be with business services employees.

It’s a brand new office in London they have opened so not much info on the firm

Hi all hope everyone is doing well.
My university have emailed to advertise volunteer opportunities in law that revolve around things such as the Legal Advice Centre, Free Legal Help, and the Innocence Project. I am aware that these are not strictly commercial, but I'm wondering if pursuing them would boost my application to vac schemes significantly?
I am a non-law student going in to my final year, I have no legal experience but have lots of non-related work experience that I can link in to a vac scheme application, but I would like to be doing what I can to secure a vac scheme before finishing university. My grades for first year were unfortunately not the best as I got 64% (however this is mainly because I failed one module without which my average would have been 71%).
Thanks all

I'm going to write a fuller post because I think there's a lot that has to be said about the TC process that isn't really discussed on this forum (and I have been using it for years - I mean check my username, I've been here since 2021) but especially when it comes to International Students and people without connections, or people in the UK, or lawyers in the family. I got that phone call after taking so many risks and taking so many crazy (and expensive!) leaps of faith, like: (1) moving to the UK in the first place for uni and staying lmao what was I thinking?! (2) self-funding the PGDL (3) taking months away to get a break after finishing the PGDL (4) not working as a paralegal before, but doing other jobs I thought I'd also enjoy while applying to TCs. I also think that there's not a lot of great interview prep out there, but I think I cracked it and would like to share my thoughts on what makes a 'good' interview beyond 'being yourself'! But I'll start with this: I am non-law, self-funded the PGDL, finished last year, and now at 25 I can say... I'M GOING TO BE A LAWYER AT AN ASTONINSHINGLY IMPRESSIVE US FIRM!!!!!! I AM WEEPING JOY!!!!

Hi everyone,

I would like to start by saying that I really just need a helping hand in navigating this situation. I don't really have anyone to speak to about this and kind of crumbling under all of this stress.

For context I study PPE at Oxford. I received my first year grades today and I failed. My university totals grades in an odd fashion so my actual classification would be a 2:2 as it is a 59% average (I got a 2:1, 2:1, 2:2 and failed one grade) yet I was classed a 3rd in their boundaries. A third in my first year Oxford degree examinations will forever be in my transcripts. I failed in one exam due to circumstances that was incredibly stressful, which occurred a few days before the exam I failed, and my tutors are all aware of this and are willing to write a statement backing me. however a third is still a third. a fail.

Now, everything I've been working for in terms of spring weeks and internships within this summer has all just been thrown in the bin. I know law firms were already so strict in applications as the field is so saturated but having a third has quite frankly ruined my life. Without a vacation scheme, I cannot get into a law TC as nowadays even those with a vac scheme are not getting a return offer. I was so ready to start vac scheme applications and planned my life out to the T however this grade has impacted my self esteem and my ability to move ahead.

this has always been so important to me (getting a vac scheme, getting a TC) as my life has generally been very tough. I had a traumatic childhood and always wanted to do better for myself hence why I have been working my ass off doing my law applications alongside my degree. I received 1st and 2:1 all year but that one failed exam completely dragged my entire grade down.

I feel honestly like an imposter for being at Oxford, I feel like im not worthy to be a lawyer and I can't lie I dont even feel energetic enough to even apply for anything as I know I will be rejected off the bat.

what do I do? do I just sit around and do nothing for second year as all internships and vac schemes will reject me anyway? I never in a million years anticipated this. I feel so lost.

please help me

Hey all,

I don't actually have an offer, and I am yet to apply for any TCs but I was doing a bit of firm research and Baker Mckenzie is one I'm quite interested in. I've seen that they no longer fund the PGDL and instead fund the SQE prep course with Barbri. In addition it seems Barbri offer a 6 week online "legal foundations course" with non-law grads receiving an extra £1000 bursary over law students I assume to compensate for this?

Am I right in assuming that this means non-law students not required to do the PGDL at Baker Mckenzie? How would this impact someone later in their career, being a qualified solicitor without a qualifying law degree or PGDL? Is the legal foundations course and an sqe prep course enough preparation to actually sit the SQE? Is this all accomplished in one year as opposed to the 2, that many non-law students do?

As a non-law student it's an interesting idea, and would allow us to get working and started with our career sooner, but I can't help feel I'd be woefully underprepared for the exams.

Has anybody had any experience with this route or with Baker Mckenzie?

Got my grades for first and I'm seriously feeling concerned about Vac schemes. I scored 2:1's and high 2:2's(58-60%) consitently through all my internal assements in uni. But ended up scoring 44% in Criminal and 48% in Public Law. Property and Contract are better with 65% and 61% so 2:1's.
But I think this screws up my chances of attending winter vac schemes with my first year grades in December.

Other Things I have being doing:
Mooting: quarter finalsit
Debating Comp: Semi-finalist
Client interviewing(Client): semi-finalist
Negotiation comp: quarter-finalist
Represented my uni in a national UK wide negotiation comp : Finalist in the same
Worked a pro-bono placement and have one good work experience

I don't know if I could balance out the 2 bad module grades with this though. Please advise

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I want to use this thread as a form of de facto accountability as I take the leap of a career change/ re-route into the legal sphere. For context, I recently graduated with First Class Honours from a good (non-RG) University in a non-law, non-humanities subject: Accounting and Finance. I have 2 years experience across 2 roles in finance and consulting (in energy sector) through a placement year and an internship.

Having been through 2 application cycles already, I know the arduous task that they can be - and Law in particular has some heavy applications, coupled with many more firms to apply for… I start my PGDL in September and trying to plan ahead with a goal to be successful in some vacation scheme applications with the ultimate hope being a TC for 2027.

If anyone has any advice/tips etc for me - they would be tremendously appreciated. I will hope to share some unique insights that will drive my personal application process in my first legal cycle.

I used to think this unconventional, and unique background would be a disadvantage for TCs but I now believe that is actually a strong advantage. I think I have some strengths, especially regarding commercial awareness and current affairs, probably driven largely by some good experience in commercial settings over 2 years.

My main concern is truly elucidating my thoughts of "why law" in a way that doesn't give lingering doubts in both applications and interviews. For context: my three A-Levels were maths/accounting based as well. Now, I do have a genuine passion for the law, and I am an avid reader but due to certain reasons I boxed myself into finance/analytical aspects and thought perhaps I couldn't escape. Alas, I now know this is not the case and I am excited to get applying but this question is my greatest fear so any tips on how to approach this given my background - I would again be appreciative.

I hope to update this page on at least a weekly basis, not only for my own benefit of accountability, but also as a potential future resource for people with less conventional routes into law on how to successfully (fingers crossed) become a commercial lawyer. I think mainly, I will discuss how I am preparing ahead of time: both for the application cycle juggling with the PGDL but also how it's going once it is underway. I guess an added benefit of this - is that it will allow me to ramble some musings in long form which actually is a superb way of taking the mind out of decision paralyses.

Thanks - and good luck to everyone on their own paths towards the presumably shared goal of a TC.

Hello,

I’ve had a number of family emergencies in my final year of university, which has led me to need to first sit two exams and resit one in the supplementary period.

I’ve been told that if I pass 2/3 of the exams (leave the resit as 26% and end up with a 2:2 or a third), I will still graduate with honours.

My question is will this still be a qualifying law degree or will it make me ineligible to sit the SQE?

I have a lot of caring responsibilities and work responsibilities, so I would love to be able to not do the resit and have a lower grade.

Hi everyone,

If anyone has done the Macfarlanes online assessment, please would you be able to give me an insight on what to expect?

Additionally, if anyone has any tips for SJTs, please let me know - I really struggle with them (even whilst following the advice of looking at what each specific firm is looking for in a trainee and taking the middle ground option). If anyone has any resources/advice, I'd be so, so grateful.

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I've been a long time lurker here, and thought I'd finally make an account and my own thread. It's still early days for me, but I'm going to be making my first vac scheme applications in the coming months, of course with the end goal of a TC. Like many of you, I will be trying to update this thread regularly over the next few years to track my progress and hold myself accountable.

Background
So a little background on me. I'm going into my second year of a Biological Sciences degree, studying at a (mid tier?) russell group, think Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds. I have sub-par A-levels (ABC) but I'm not letting that deter me, will just have to work harder and target certain firms. I averaged 69.85% in first year (still peeved about that 1 mark lol), which I'm hoping will count in my favour.

Non-legal experience:
- 5 years experience working in retail and hospital
- 6 months hospital volunteering in sixth form
- and in this coming year, will be vice president of the biosci society at my uni, will also be a course mentor to first years.

Legal Experience
- A 1 day virtual workshop with a city firm
- and in this coming year, will be a Legal Cheek campus ambassador. Though this might fall more under non-legal.

Plans for the next year
From September I plan to make some vacation scheme applications. Being a penultimate year non-law student , and with my a-levels, there are a limited number of firms available to me. Though still more than enough. I aim to make a solid 5 applications, but I've got around 10 firms in mind if I have the time. The dream of course would be to get vacation scheme offers for next spring and summer, successfully complete schemes and get a TC offer. But at the very least I would like to use this year to get more practice at the application process, more commercial awareness, more legal experience. Vac schemes aside, I will continue to work at my job and I would love to join a sports society (perhaps tennis). I'm also gonna try my best to average a 1st. Of course a 2:1 would be more than great, but since my second year is worth 1/4 of my degree, I'd like to get some good grades in the bag!

Plans for the summer
Trying to relax after a stressful end of term. Will be working a few shifts a week, and on the side doing a little research on some firms, reading up a little on the application process, some watson glaser practice and forage maybe. Certainly my immediate focus is relaxation and getting back into the gym though. Having said that I am already getting bored so I'm sure I'll be diving right in soon!

Hi all!

I am planning on starting the LLM (SQE 1 and 2) in March 2025 at Ulaw. I was wondering if anyone could share their timetable from any previous March intake - need to figure out some logistics/figure out the structure and when holidays are. I am an international student, so need to figure out if the non-term dates align with VS or work placements. They do not have anything on their website for the upcoming March intake.

Am unsure to go for BPP OR ULaw for PGDL ONLINE study, can anyone share experience comparing the teaching & program quality of the two?

Hi! I am graduating this year and planning on self-funding the LLM SQE at ULaw. Is anyone taking this course full-time and would you recommend it? Is a job manageable alongside the course?

I want to secure a legal role however, I am reluctant to apply for paralegal roles, as full-time study will limit my availability. Is part-time study a better alternative?

Or shall I wait to complete QWE after completing the course?

Hi wanted to hear opinions on first year grades (RG uni) for VS applications...

Contract: 67
Public (Part 1): 63
Public (Part 2): 60
Tort: 58
Our uni's law intro module: 73
Crim: 48

Av is 62 but v concerned about crim and tort (no ext. circumstances). Is there any point applying for VS in second year, and, if so, which places are best avoided (such as Slaughters)?
Don't have extenuating circumstances and got onto several first year schemes so feel like I've bottled it with these grades!

Would be grateful to hear any thoughts!