New Threads

I wanted to determine at what point my concerns might sound whiny versus being legitimate. My case wasn't very serious, but I was hospitalized during my mid-semester exams, which constituted 25% of my total grade. This affected my ability to study and write some of the papers. I'm trying to figure out if I should consider this a mitigating circumstance.

Hi all, I have recently been invited to attend the Shoosmiths Assessment Centre and have only ever participated in a half-day AC with another firm, so I have limited experience and insight.

If possible, does anyone have any insight into the Shoosmiths AC specifically, or if anyone can offer advice generally for the following:
- Written exercises (drafting + proofreading)
- Pair exercises
- Group exercises
- Presentations
- 1-1 interview with Partner or Senior Associate

Further, if anyone has any free resources, I would be very grateful Thank you!

Hello! I’m entering my second year in Law this September and I want to know if the open days that law firms host are marketed towards first years or second years? I didn’t attend any in my first year.

I am also intending to apply to vacation schemes. Would it be a smart idea to apply to both in the same year?

I am hoping to find someone who has worked within citizens advice and managed to get it signed off as QWE. How did you go about doing it if so, and was it a difficult process? For context, I have worked with them for 4 years, but no one in the firm is a current solicitor, so unsure if I can just evidence my experience to another solicitor I know outside of the organisation.

Any advice would be really appreciated!!!

Hi everyone, I'd just like some advice and an international perspective on how to move forward with my law career.

I am about to get my BA LLB degree from a top 6 law school in India with First Class Honors. I am also an upcoming Masters student at QMUL to pursue my interests in International Dispute Resolution. I am pursuing this LLM mostly due to my interests and I also partially had hopes for working in the UK.

Please do not judge me when I say that I had a very rude awakening a few days ago when I realized that firms in the UK need you to apply 2 YEARS in advance for training contracts and the 2026 cycle is nearing its end. Most applications have closed for 2026 save a very few and I read several stories about how competitive TCs can get and with my 0 prep I don't stand a chance for 2026. It isn’t this way in India and I did not foresee this at all. I just wanted to somehow get qualified in the UK, with my SQE costs covered as I cannot ask my parents to bear more costs for my education, and perhaps return to the UAE, where I hold a residence visa with my family. I would have loved to return to the UAE right after my LLM however nobody in the UAE really wants to hire a law grad with no qualifications. They prefer lawyers with a few years of PQE under their belt (and I sadly did not take Arabic seriously enough in school, I can read and write but lack basic conversational skills).

Now I feel very lost and not to mention extremely stressed about my future. I have done about 4-5 online internships with Indian firms during COVID and 3 in-office construction disputes internships with UK-based companies in the UAE, including at Dentons (not under Vacation Schemes), and yet I was stupid enough not to look into how training contracts work. I’ll complete my LLM in June 2025 and I have no idea what to do with regard to my job prospects. I would like to qualify in the UK as that leads to better employment chances anywhere in but I don’t know what I’ll do till 2027. That is assuming I get a TC in my first round of applications which I’ve heard is difficult. The TC process is just crazy with several rounds of interviews and I have just started to familiarize myself with them. Not to mention, many of them require me to come down to the UK for Assessment (assuming i even get there lol); however, that will not be possible until I join QMUL in September. I don't know if I should put an effort into Vacation Schemes because I would have to go for a Graduate UK visa at my own expense, not knowing whether it's going to pay off. I would love to work in-house too but I have been told they prefer lawyers with Big Law experience. I know beggars can’t be choosers, but I did not think I would have to consider being a paralegal after having done an LLB and LLM.

Another option I was thinking of is to return to India after my LLM, get qualified there and work for at least 2 years to exempt myself from SQE 2 and try for UK/UAE firms while I work. I don't know how successful I will be with this, and it will kinda mean that my LLM money was partially wasted and my parents will be disappointed because they want me to work "abroad" and I would too, but I would like to know from some experienced professionals if this would be a better option.

To anyone that can help me get some clarity of mind please do. I feel like I am at a dead end for some reason. I wish to start working immediately and I would love to in the UK. Please suggest practical routes I can take. I will try for TCs this year although it’s very overwhelming and I feel aimless given the distant joining dates and my prep. If you made it till here thank you! I would also love to get in touch with anyone who's in a similar position as me.

I’m currently doing a law conversion course (the MA Law on the SQE route) and I just received my first semester grades. I got 58 for one and 51 for the other one. I am devastated. Although these are only 2 exams so far, it feels like I’m now at a significant disadvantage and I feel discouraged about continuing the degree. Will these two grades reduce my chance of getting a training contract?

Hi Anyone has experience for online test of Flex Trainee? They said it includes 4SQE style questions? Does anyone know which law area they are about?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks to the lovely people at Upreach I now have a mock AC coming up at Macfarlanes later this month. Does anyone have some guidance on how to best research and prepare for such an AC. If it is of relevance it is in person and quite lengthy at 8 hours.

I also have some extra questions.

1) Are Macfarlanes treating this more as a way to recruit trainees or like a diversity open day?

2) What is the best way to plan for non-interview tasks?

3) Is it best to apply for a 2026 TC before or after the mock AC?

Thank you!

.

This is my first post on here. I've read through some threads on here and I've been taken back by how supportive this forum is.

A brief history of me, I am 29 years old and currently a Head of subject at a secondary school. Before teaching, I did a years research after achieving a first class Chemistry degree from RG uni.

I enjoy teaching but I'm looking for a change. I've spent a while looking into different options and law has really stuck out for me. In particular, anything that can use my science background would be a big plus (like patent law).

I've begun the process and applied for 2 training contracts that have deadlines soon/just passed.
One has got back to me saying I've progressed to the graduate partner recruitment panel - I'm not sure if that is a standard thing that happens after they've ensured I have the correct grades.

I am very unsure if my lack of law knowledge will hold me back. Any advice on where I could start learning some "basic" law knowledge would be great. If by some miracle I get invited to assessment centres, I would feel massively under prepared currently.

In the applications I've done so far, in some of the questions they ask like "talk about a time in your life that's helped define who you are", I've spoken a lot about my childhood and I don't know if that is suitable. In summary, I spent a lot of my childhood in and out of the care system, homeless and was formally abandoned at 14. Despite this, I threw myself into my education and made it to University etc etc....
For me, my background defines me and is a huge part of who I am as well as highlights my resilience and self-motivation. But is this too unprofessional to mention in these application questions?

I aim to update this thread with news on this journey!

Hi all,

I am about to interview with a City firm for a paralegal position in an advisory practice.

I applied through a recruiter and the interview is to be conducted by a senior lawyer at the firm. Should I expect this to be structured similarly to a VS/TC interview, or is it going to be significantly more random? I am particularly curious about what questions I should expect.

Thank you!

Hi all! I've been a lurker on these threads for a while, so decided to start up my own.

I think maybe I'm a little early to start one of these as I've just finished my first year at a RG uni. I was previously working a full-time job in a different sector but decided to leave it and pursue law. This will be my first cycle. In my first year I took part in some Aspiring Solicitors events, attended an open day and was lucky enough to attend a number of insight schemes. One scheme I got on was Freeths' early talent pathway, and I'm pleased to say that I have converted that into work experience in the summer of 2025.

My plans for the summer and beyond...
- Aspiring Solicitors Access Programme, which is taking place in July
- Forage virtual work experience programmes
- Stay up-to-date with the news to work on my commercial awareness
- Practice some WGs
- Use the summer to research firms.

When applications open later in the year, I'll update with stats etc to keep track of my VS applications!

Hello, community! It's noice to join the forums c:

Hello,

Has anyone done the Burges Salmon online tests? If so, do you know if the SJT and verbal reasoning tests can be done in different sittings or whether they have to be done at the same time?

Thanks,
Isobel

Greetings! My name is Sofia Rinvil, and it's nice to e-meet you all!

I have a specific question regarding my TC interview at the end of an upcoming VS.

I had a vac scheme last year and was not offered a TC. I have heard that in my upcoming vac scheme that they will want to hear how I have developed since my last vac scheme and why I am ready for a TC now. Is it enough to say that I had not taken the time to research what types of firms, law and training I wanted and I realised that the last firm was not right to me? Or should I focus on specific skills that I have developed? And if so, what types of skills should I address that doesn't make me look bad but highlight how I have grown? I have developed my commercial awareness but I don't know if that is enougb

Hi I’ve opted for BARBRI as my course provider for the SQE has anyone had a recent experience with them for the SQE prep and any advise u can give .

Hi I’ve opted for BARBRI as my course provider for the SQE has anyone had a recent experience with them for the SQE prep and any advise u can give .

Hi, hope everyone's good I have the Vacation Scheme at HFW coming up next week. V excited, and v keen to convert this VS to a TC. Does anyone have any experience of the firm, or any advice on performing well during the VS? Thanks!

I have an invite to a VI from Howard Kennedy and was wondering if anyone has done one of these with them before? If so, what were the questions like? Would really appreciate It if people could share their experiences of it too!

This may be a stupid question but can someone please explain the SQE timings with a potential TC. I just graduated my fourth year at the Uni of Edinburgh with a non-law degree, and am currently looking at applying for TCs and Vac schemes (decided on law only recently). I would need to apply to firms who were willing to help fund my SQE as can't self-fund but I don't understand whether I need to apply for a TC first and then apply for an SQE course or apply together? Can I apply for an SQE course at any point throughout the year? My problem is I don't have the current funds to finance the SQE and would want the security of a firm funding it first

I have just received results for my assessments and will likely finish my degree with a solid 2:1.

Sadly, I have no training contract or even legal role lined up at this moment but I have secured work experience for 3 days at one of the Big 4 and a mock assessment centre at a London firm.

Should I be thinking of postgrad study or the LPC/SQE or is it better to sit out a year?

There is a Ulaw within commuting distance but it is rather pricey and the deadline to apply is in 3 weeks.

I have applied for one Paralegal role of AG. After I submitted the application, I directly received one email about one assessment (next stage of application)

Does anyone know what kind of this assessment is? Is it WG? What things can I do to prepare for it?

Appreciate for every experience sharing.

Hi guys hope you are all well, I am new to this forum so I apologise if a question along the same lines has already been posted here!

I am a PPE student just finishing second year and I have failed an econometrics module worth 20 credits so will be resitting it in the summer. Aside from this my lowest grade this year has been a 70 and I'm doing well enough that I think I can still come out with a high 2.1 for the year and maybe even a first. Obviously I believe I can still get a first overall in my final year, I am wondering if this failed module would be a problem when applying to vac schemes/TC's? I understand some firms are more stringent than others, which firms are these? Or is there a list somewhere of places I should definitely avoid applying to?

Tangentially related to this is what can I be doing this year to make my application as comprehensive as possible? I have only recently begun to consider law as something I'd enjoy and be good at so I worry I am a bit behind. I am at university of Manchester so I plan to join the law society in the new academic year, aside from this what should I be doing? Any things with "low barriers to entry" that I could get into without being a law student? I already volunteer at unrelated things and have done since first year but I'm unsure how I could relate it to law, and I have a part time job but again it is only hospitality work.

Thanks everyone! Looking forward to hearing from you all

Hi everyone!

(Apologies if this is not the right thread where to post this)

By way of introduction my name is Marek and I am currently completing the LPC on a part-time basis.

I have also been working as a corporate/commercial paralegal for a private aviation company for the past 5 years and my experience ranges from PE acquisitions, corporate restructuring, negotiating airport licences/leases, intragroup loan agreements to drafting general aviation commerce contracts.

I currently find myself in a bit of a precarious situation at my company as we no longer have an in-house solicitor who is registered with the SRA, and I am therefore unable to commence my training contract at the said company.

Frankly speaking, panic has been setting in ever since this was communicated to me considering that law firms are gradually phasing out the LPC route to qualifying.

In the past few days, I got organised and created a spreadsheet with all the current TC application deadlines/events etc.

However, the issue is that I do not really have any experience in drafting answers to application form questions and have not networked with any law firms – which I think is really important especially in my case.

Unfortunately, I have obtained a 2:2 in my undergraduate degree due to an illness and the fact that I have been working full time since the first year of my undergraduate studies.

I have been following the TCLA almost since its inception (but never really got involved apart from a couple of instances) and find it to be an invaluable source of information and guidance.

I do plan on going full steam ahead and applying to law firms this autumn even those whose minimum requirements are a 2:1 – one needs to try anyway.

Any tips and pointers in the right direction on which TCLA courses to take and/or other guidance especially in terms of networking/application help & how to stand out will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read my rant/cry for help.

Regards,

Marek