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Hi all,
I am planning on taking the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1 and 2) full-time in London beginning Sept 2024. I wondered if anyone who is currently studying it (from the Sept 2023 course) has the timetable and could share it with me. I just wanted to see how the course is structured and when holidays are etc. They only have the part-time timetables on their website for this course. Thanks!

Hello!

I need some guidance on what the general deadlines for securing TC in within law firms. As a 2nd-year student in a five-year law program based in India, I am keen on understanding the timeline typically associated with applying for TCs for 2027 cycle.

Could anyone kindly provide insights into when law firms generally open their applications for vacation schemes / TC positions and the deadlines for submission? Additionally, any advice or recommendations on how to best prepare for this process would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all well. This is my first time writing so openly on this forum but lately I have been feeling really low and wanted to share my experience, and hopefully get some direction about where to go from here.

My background

I am a law graduate from RG Uni (with 1st) with masters in law. I have not completed LPC or SQE because for me it is too expensive to self-fund. It has been a while since I graduated - I am now 26 - and I have a full time job too. This is my 6th (!!!) application cycle and while some of the previous cycles might not feel as well prepared as some later ones, I am starting to lose hope on getting a TC.

My TC approach is very strategic. I have utilised TCLA for the past 5 years, I have completed almost ALL the courses (some of them 2 or 3 times), I have used the application review service and the mock interviews many times. For some of the OGs, I have been mock interviewed by Arun who has also completed the PE course. Now you can tell what type of dinosaur I am in this platform. I only apply to firms that are very special to me and match my interest, work experience and my masters. I have a very extensive CV with legal and non-legal experience and I speak 9 languages (not fluent in all of them but surely that is a bit impressive right?).

My journey

I want to share mostly the past 3 cycles of applications I have done and maybe get some insights and recommendations. For these cycles I focus on firms that are smaller, with a small trainee intake and without tests. I have taken SJTs and WG tests and honestly, despite the preparation, I have received inconsistent results from firms at the same cycle. So I narrowed down my aim to law firms that are smaller and have a straightforward app process. Some of these law firms I have applied 2 or 3 times so they can probably see my previous applications and notice improvements in my writing and in my experience as I progress. Yet, and despite using TCLA's app review service multiple times for the same application, 90% of my applications get rejected.

Don't get me wrong, I have had applications pass before - usually I do 10-15 applications per cycle and only 1-2 applications pass. It might be a numbers game but I think it is a low rate considering the effort I have put in. I have been to two assessment centres before, one was interview only and the other was an 8-hour all in assessment centre with interviews, debates etc. I did not manage to progress further than these, the feedback I received was that in my interview I sounded too rehearsed and in the assessment centre I was not very good at the written exercise. I am working towards improving both of these, but my applications still do not make it past that stage for me to even consider proving my worth.

This year I have applied to direct TCs only. I made this decision consciously because I am much older than the average candidate. So far I have applied to 6 firms and I have another 4 lined up to do, while 4 are pending. The un-success rate is about 40% so far, which is very demotivating.

In comparison to many brilliant people in this platform, I have not applied to 30 firms in one cycle, I have not done 10 ACs, I have not done ANY VSs. I have a lot of internships and work experience (legal and non legal) which I hope compensates for the lack of ACs or big law names in my CV. I know my applications are good because a) TCLA reviews them and I get feedback on where I lack and b) some have actually made it before. However, this cycle I feel very demotivated and the fact that I am older than lots of candidates is really playing in my head.

It has been really hard to see these rejections coming through considering that I do not have many options left. I have been wanted to become a lawyer since I was 12 years old and the past year is making me feel like I need to completely give up. I know that maybe my approach is not correct seeing as less applications means definitely less success rate but I have little motivation to pursue this when none of my applications go through.

If any of you are able to offer insights on how to continue or what you felt works for you when you apply, I would be really interested to hear. You are all big motivations for me but it's honestly really hard to not feel down and sorry when there is no positive news for months and months.

I am currently looking at self-funding my SQE LLM. I was looking at Nottingham Law School, University of Law, or BPP. I was wondering what type of preferences law firms have between different SQE prep course . master's providers etc? Furthermore, is it perceived differently if I take it online? As I wouldn't be able to relocate to London whilst taking the course.

Hey, I‘m 28 years old and a non-traditional student from Germany. In Germany I wouldn’t meet the entry requirements for law school, so I decided to study UK Law.

To fulfill the requirements for LLB I enrolled for Higher National Diploma in Law at London School of International Business 1,5 weeks ago. Unfortunately the down side is, that the School won’t allow students to connect with each other to form study groups but I can study best when I actually have others to talk about the topics and to share study tips, notes and motivate each other when being stuck.

That’s why I‘m looking for fellow Students (preferably first to second years) who study UK law for a WhatsApp Study Group.

If you mind to share your number there are other messengers too, I’m completely open to any suggestions.

Is there anyone up for it? If yes, please let me know. Apologies if this topic isn’t allowed here.

- LegallyConfused

Hey guys! Did anyone hear back?

*Edit --> Sorry guys I changed the name of the thread. Spoiler alert I never managed to apply for Clifford Chance but I couldn't pass up the pun. Apologies to those who have been misled.*

TLDR: I got a training contract!! and just passed SQE 1!! Sat SQE 2 in July 2025.

Intro:

Hello, I'm Lilly. I joined the TCLA at the start of this round of applications and in my head, I was going to have a TC before the cycle was over. I realise now that I was a little bit delusional but I'm a law student, so it comes with the territory.

I realise that it is rather late in the day to be posting this, but idk I didn't feel like I had anything to post about until now and have decided to share my story in case people ever feel like they aren't going to get anything either. Also, I am slacking on my applications at the moment and need something to get me back on track. I do not think for a moment I'm going to be the next legal influencer of the decade but here's to hoping.

Plans for the thread.

• I think I also want to use this thread to share some of the tricks I have learnt. I know my strengths and my weaknesses.
• All the feedback I have ever gotten has said that I interview well, I think it is often why after the app stage I can make it to the final rounds when I fall at the written tasks.
• I have developed a few hacks throughout my time for this which I thought I would share.
• Throughout this journey, I know that I need to develop my written skills. My downfall has always been the written tests. I'm a slow writer and I like to redraft things or else they are riddled with errors. My feedback confirms it.
• So I hope to share any tips I learn along the way as well.

A bit about me (sans some pesky details).

• I studied law for my undergrad and got ok grades. It's nothing special but what can you do about it?
• Did a masters because I thought why not and got a distinction which was nice.
• I wanted to go to The Bar up until the end of my third year when I failed to get any mini-pupillages.
• I made two applications at the end of my third year for training contracts. Got offered one and made it to the AC stage for another.
• I ultimately couldn't accept the TC offer. I know thimaster'ss sounds awful but it didn't have a department in the area I was interested in, it was a small firm which would have required me to self-fund the SQE which I couldn't afford. It also wouldn't let me defer a year. I have wrestled with this decision over the last few months, thinking about whether this was the right one. I think it was, especially after the mess that happened with the SQE 1 this year but at the same time I really want a job.
• This year I have fully committed to the solicitor route and have picked out a few firms I like the look of.
• I try and only apply to firms where I know they have done at least one famous case in the area of law I am interested in.

Applications: (As of July 2024)
I have so far made 10? applications
A mix of TC and Vac Scheme. It appears that once I get past the written application I make it to the end and I have more success on the direct TC route where the firm does not have a VS.

I have decided that some of these firms are very niche and it would be very easy to discover who I am from them. So I have assigned them aliases from Suits and The Goodwife in italics.

1. Russel Cooke Direct TC - PFO
2. Wakefield Cady TC - PFO post-final stage.
3. Boodle Hatfield VS and TC - PFO
4. PMC VS - PFO
5. Bratten Gould TC - PFO post-final interview.
6. Farrer and Co VS - PFO
7. Mills and Reeve VS - PFO
8. Irwin Mitchell - VS - OFFER TRAINING CONTRACT OFFER
9. Rand Caldor Zane TC - PFO
10. Pearson Hardman VS - First Interview Invite VS OFFER. TRAINING CONTRACT OFFER
11. Wedlake Bell TC: PFO
12. Withers: Test done. PFO

I am a final-year law student and, despite a few ACs, I haven't been able to secure any training contracts. I am a little worried about the way forward and what to do when I graduate. I have the opportunity to paralegal at a small regional personal injury firm. However, I wanted to know how this type of work experience is received by big firms. Would it be a boon or a burden to my applications in the next cycle? I also have another tutoring role that I would be able to do full-time, giving me more time for applications. Which would be a better option if I want to work in commercial law in the city? (Personal injury paralegaling or tutoring and applying myself more to applications.)

Sorry for this basic Q. As an international applicant, please may I have guidance on a basic question of the UK legal recruitment market? Unfortunately I can see the deadlines on Chambers Student but not the opening dates.

When do these application windows typically open? (for regions and London law firms)

1. Vacation scheme applications (ie what is a popular deadline for Vacs Scheme that can lead to 2025/26/27 Training contracts?)
2. 2026 TC applications
3. 2024/25 paralegal applications
   
   
4. If someone wanted a TC asap (2024/25) - what is the best route to follow? (Ie any specific locations to target, any alternate positions like paralegal/vacs scheme to follow?) e.g. in Hertfordshire, trainees are recruited just a year in advance or in the same year as their joining date.
   
   As an international applicant, the joining date is more important. I am not picky on the region, training, and culture as I have family everywhere in the UK. I see my career in decades, and these points will be a second-level DD - I am sure firms generally will be good.

Hi,

I'm looking for another person to practice my oral exam skills with for the upcoming SQE2 (i'm doing my oral exams in early May).

Particularly looking for someone to schedule a video call with to practice some Interviewing mocks that I have. I'm studying with ULaw and I have about 3-4 mock cases to do. Willing to return the favour and play the client for anyone that also needs the extra practice!

Thanks!

Hi guys,

I have an interview with Fieldfisher and I know they tend to ask questions like if you were on a train and you could hear the other side discussing it what would you do. I was wondering what the best way to approach this kind of question would be?

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone has applied for this position and progressed to the video interview stage?

Hey everyone, so I got invited to complete a Stephenson Harwood video interview, among some other tests, but the interview is what I'm really preparing hard for. Does anyone who's done this know how best to approach this? Kinda my last chance to get a TC in what has been a terrible cycle quite frankly so would appreciate the help

Hi anyone received updates after the group interview on 15th April?

Hello everyone,
I'd like to get a second opinion on what seems to me a solution to my current predicament. I am an international student with a bachelor's degree from a civil law country. I have applied to study an LLM program at a RG university, and got an offer.

The LLM is niche, I would say, and aligns with what I am doing now and planning to do in the future. At the same time, I would like to try to get into UK law firms. No MC ambitions, but I really want to transfer from my current in-house role to a firm as it looks more fulfilling to me now.

I know the general sentiment here and in many other forums is that LLMs are almost useless for TCs or job applications.

Nevertheless, I would really like to do the LLM I applied for, I am very aligned with the courses and it allows networking and even a chance to get QWE (which, I believe, would be harder to secure if I was on a self-funded PGDL). Thus, I came up with a plan to enrol in said LLM but at the same time enrol in a PGDL online course by UoL or BPP. I have checked the solution with UoL, they told me it was doable, BPP wasn't so sure.

Why do I want to do all at once? It's more of a psychological issue, but I feel like I'm on the clock. I'm in my late 20's, and I don't feel that I have 2 years to do both things while staying unemployed or not even trying to secure a job. I could just do an LLM and go on with my in-house stuff, but I do not feel like getting anywhere beyond "we'll get outside counsel do this" and stretching my area of responsibilities to blunt project management.

What do you think? Am I out of my mind for even thinking that this is manageable, am I missing something? Would be grateful for any type of feedback.

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has had success when applying for paralegal roles speculatively (particularly at US firms).

(For reference, I completed my LLB in 2018, MSc in 2022 and have 2 years work experience in non-law roles).

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I'm currently a first year student studying history and politics at the University of Warwick, I plan on doing a law conversion after graduation. Right now, I feel like I'm struggling in that direction. All of my first year scheme applications have failed and right now, I just don't see how I could get into a vacation scheme or training contract in the future. I have a decent amount of work experience, the only issue that most of them don't really correlate with law, they're more like applicable skills. This whole thing is confusing me. I try getting into internships and nothing works. I have entered into a few events which gave insight but they weren't like law firm schemes. I want the truth here, have I failed already?

Hello!! I am having trouble deciding which route to go down. I will be graduating this year with a degree in Scots law but I know I want to practice down in London eventually. Everyone I know is applying for the Scottish Diploma in Legal Practice but I am now questioning whether I should apply for the SQE preparation course?? I have not applied for any internships or training contracts as I have been so unsure and each course option ends up being similar costs and length? I am so undecided, Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you - also another question, how long does it take to complete SQE 1 + 2?!

Hi guys,



Be kind,

Hi everyone. So I’m a recent law graduate hoping to secure a training contract at some point in the future but in the meantime I’d like to get some work experience.

I recently managed to secure two job offers - one as a paralegal in the research and development department at a global pharmaceutical company, and one as a junior finance analyst at a consulting firm. To be honest I never thought I’d find myself in this position as when I was applying I was fully expected to be rejected by both!

I know that the paralegal option may seem like the obvious choice, but the thing that’s making me hesitate is that the subject matter of the finance role ties in more with the sector I’d hope to specialise in as a solicitor, ie., capital markets, securities, etc.

So basically I’m trying to figure out what i should focus on more. the relevant sector, ie finance, even though that wouldn’t be a legal role at all, or the paralegal role which wouldn’t necessarily tie in with the sector I’m interested in but would give me explicitly legal experience, working closely with contracts, NDAs etc?

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but I just know what a competitive market it is out there and so I really want to make the choice now that would boost my chances of securing a tc later down the line. I’d say both jobs are similar in terms of salaries and atmosphere. Would really be so grateful for any input!

Hi everyone. So I’m a recent law graduate hoping to secure a training contract at some point in the future but in the meantime I’d like to get some work experience.

I recently managed to secure two job offers - one as a paralegal in the research and development department at a global pharmaceutical company, and one as a junior finance analyst at a consulting firm. To be honest I never thought I’d find myself in this position as when I was applying I was fully expected to be rejected by both!

I know that the paralegal option may seem like the obvious choice, but the thing that’s making me hesitate is that the subject matter of the finance role ties in more with the sector I’d hope to specialise in as a solicitor, ie., capital markets, securities, etc.

So basically I’m trying to figure out what i should focus on more. the relevant sector, ie finance, even though that wouldn’t be a legal role at all, or the paralegal role which wouldn’t necessarily tie in with the sector I’m interested in but would give me explicitly legal experience, working closely with contracts, NDAs etc?

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but I just know what a competitive market it is out there and so I really want to make the choice now that would boost my chances of securing a tc later down the line. I’d say both jobs are similar in terms of salaries and atmosphere. Would really be so grateful for any input!

Hello,

I have resat a module in first year which resulted me getting a 2:2 in first year
do law firms consider this especially magic or silver and will it affect my applications what if u get 2:1s in 2nd and third year but also have alot of experience with it?

Hi I just created this thread to discuss the upcoming summer Amex internship. Has anyone heard back for an interview?

I have a threatened IP infringement matter against me where i inadvertently bought and resold copyrighted material (resold once off). Will this affect my character assessment? Based on my reading of the SRA guidelines, it appears that this is a matter to be pursued in the courts and is not investigated by SRA. Could anyone please advice?

Has anyone participated in the summer internship one-way online interview for Fragomens? If so, would anyone be willing to shed some light on what came up so that I can prepare!