New Threads

Hi everyone,

So I find myself in a situation in which, having confirmed my attendance of an AC at firm A, I received an AC invite at firm B, taking place at the same time. I already know that firm A cannot reschedule, while firm B said they have no available dates for other ACs at the moment but that they will let me know if anything changes. I assume this means that they could accommodate another AC only if a space opens up as a result of another candidate not being able to attend. The issue is that I cannot wait to see if this happens, as the scheduled AC is very soon, so if I choose to attend at firm A, I have to accept the risk of another place not opening up for me at an AC for firm B. The problem is that if I have to decide between the two, I'd rather go for firm B.



So if there's someone who knows about firms' general rescheduling capabilities, or if there's someone who has been in the same situation: if I inform firm B that I cannot attend the scheduled AC, how likely is it that a place will open up for me on another date? For reference, firm B is a US firm with a relatively small trainee intake - but I do think they run a number of ACs.

I mistakenly did not include a non-law module that does not count towards my degree classification. Do I need to communicate this to recruitment teams and if yes how?

Hi all
I have run into a peculiar (potential) problem - if I am lucky and Skadden offers a VS , they want proof of residence within 3 days of offer. As an international student, I don't have DL/Mortgage proof/Credit card proof/Council tax (its free as a student), Utility bill (its in my flatmate's name). The only thing I have is an online santander bank statement and they wont sign and stamp to certify ! Skadden's requirement is that they want the online bank statement signed and stamped.

Any idea how to go around this problem ? All this is irrelevant ofcourse if I get a PFO !
Thank you.

Hi,

Recent English Lit graduate trying to decide whether to study the post graduate diploma in law at ULaw or BPP (both in-person in Manchester).

From looking at other forums it seems pretty mixed as both universities seem to be overpriced and mismanaged? Does anyone have any preference or opinion specific to the PgDL course in Manchester?

Any guidance or insight would be much appreciated.

Hi All - to any candidates who took a while to get passed the application stage - do you have anything inspiring to tell? Looking for some inspiration as starting to lose the will after applying for a while now.

Thank you.

Hi this September 2024 I'm due to start the SQE at BPP as part of the City Consortium Program. Does any one have any information on what the term dates (start date, holidays etc) are for 2024, or what they were for 2023? Trying to plan ahead! Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am excited to join TCLA and this my first post requiring some serious advice for myself in deciding for future applications!
It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could please provide me with some feedback on the possibility of getting a TC/VC.

To begin with, I have obtained both an undergraduate/masters degree in political science from a RG university - (1st class/2.1 class, respectively).
Initially, I did not consider working in law, and so i pursued career in a different industry(finance), working for an investment bank in Asia(~2.5 years).
Interestingly enough, I had many chances to work with English lawyers/law firms due to cross-border nature of the various deals I was involved in, which really made me think about career change. However, I am now wondering if it is possible at all to have a shot at obtaining a TC or VC, considering that I have only spent time studying in the UK for 4 years(rather than say, working in a professional environment). As for the visa(I do not hold British citizenship), I am going to apply for 2 years working holiday visa, which I presume will buy me some time for VC(if I can manage one at all). I am more than willing to move/work in the UK, and but since I do not have any legal experience (although I did work primarily with English lawyers in drafting financial documents, say MTN notes, or SHA/SPA and so on) and I have spent most of time out of UK for my work experience, I may not be in a position to compete with other applicants.

It would be appreciated if anyone could provide some objective feedback on my prospect (and whether it is reasonable to make career change, considering the thin possibility of getting one : (
Thanks a lot in advance,
PS: I was thinking of applying for next cycle, but I wasn't sure if I could get anywhere at all/whether it is worth applying

@Jessica Booker have taken the gold membership. Can you please activate my access to premium database and any other premium service ?

Thanks.

I've been doing the LPC at the University of Law for the past 3 months online and I was wondering if anyone was studying alone too and wanted to get in contact for any study support?

Hey guys, has anyone recently attended the video interview of Addleshaw Goddard, specifically Edinburgh/Glasgow office? I did mine at 6th, but haven't heard anything back. I don't know if that means a rejection (coz I saw someone posted in 2019, and the candidate received the interview invitation on the same day as me, but heard it back on Jan 10th).

And has anyone done Dickson Minto interview online for corporate summer placement before? What kind of questions they tend to ask (they have pointed out it won't be a motivation-competency based interview)? Any advice would be mostly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Hi everyone, I am a second-year non-law (PPE) student, and I am looking for help with writing vac scheme applications, specifically questions relating to Why law?

Now, the struggle I am having with this question is that my interest in a career in law only properly developed in September, so I do not have much relevant history with law. I know that this is not too major of an issue, and I know mentally why I want to work in law; however, I am struggling with putting these thoughts onto paper. I am curious what other people in my situation have put to show why law and any advice in general of ways to phrase my interest would be much appreciated.

Any help would be much appreciated.

I recently did an application and submitted half an hour late. the application window did not time out & it still accepted my application, i also received an email saying my application had been successfully submitted.

I’m a bit confused because i’ve seen comments on here saying it has to be submitted by 23:59pm, but from my experience here it seems like the application just has to be started before that point.

I recognise it wasn’t great to leave it so last minute, just want to know whether this will effect my chances. Does anyone have any experience of a late application being successfully submitted but then being rejected for being late at the application review stage?

Hi - I am resuming my TCLA premium membership having been a member a year ago and wondered if someone can answer my questions as follows:-

1. Is there a deadline when my law degree and LPC will no longer be considered/accepted when applying for a training contract? I graduated from studying my law degree in 2011 and for the LPC in 2021.
2. I am limited to what law firms I can apply to on salary and looking for law firms not heavily focused on corporate and banking. I can't take a drop in salary due to having financial commitments. Will law firms accept me reapplying to them the following year if I am not success first time round? Also, what do they tend to look for in those that reapply?
3. I am a mature candidate with lot of legal work experience being a legal PA. Do firms not favour legal PAs applying for a TC? I have heard mixed feedback on this that they are only looking for fresh graduates. I cannot see this to be the case when law firms are open to career changers with transferable skills from other industries. I can only see that I am at an advantage with lots of knowledge of how law firms operate, etc. The firm I work currently at have graduates working as admin assistants to gain legal experience too.

I am getting very worried if I am unable to obtain a TC in the next year or so on the basis of my law degree getting dated now. I am also worried in terms of the limited firms not accepting me reapplying to them. I aim to apply to as many firms as I can this year with TCLA's help. However, I am wondering if I am the ONLY one with an old degree still applying and will my qualifications not be considered fresh/new compared to new graduates applying.

I have been successful in getting to the 2nd stage by one law firm after I attended that firm's open day. I was hoping attending law firm's open days would be my way into getting through the stages of other law firms. However, most only offer insight schemes to first year or second year graduates studying. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Thank you very much

Has anyone here taken the SQE 2 exams or planning to take them in 2024? I’m taking the Barbri prep course and planning to sit in April/ May. So far, I’ve made my own SQE 1 knowledge notes to fit the format of the SQE 2 exams.

Hey all,

Has anyone applied for the graduate solicitor apprenticeship at CMS? Have you received your AC invite?

Thanks!

Hi all

I thought I would give in a create a thread to post little updates on my search for a training contract mostly to be accountable, but also because I want people to tell! I am going through this process pretty incognito (only my partner knows) and I need a place to let it all out sometimes.

Background
For background, I'm someone who graduated a few years ago. In my penultimate year, I made 2 applications for TCs (didn't even know about VSs at the time) and was interviewed for 1 which I completely bombed. By that point I had already decided that if it was a rejection then I would be going down a different path.

A few years later, I'm ready to get back into it all and pursue the dream goal. I live in Scotland and so only applying to firms with offices here (in Glasgow or Edinburgh). I also haven't yet completed the Diploma (DPLP) but plan to apply this year to start part-time in September, so I can still work part-time alongside it.

I made the firm decision to make applications and pursue this at the end of November and so I have been rushed since then to get applications in and hopefully get somewhere with it. I tried to apply for a wide range of firms that I could see myself working at, but because it's my first proper round of applications I also fired off some apps I really don't think I'd get a place for, but used the application as a way to practice and, if any further steps come around, can use those as much needed practice too.

I'll post the firms, application date/deadline and ongoing updates in this thread!

Hi, does anyone have any tips for the TS summer vac scheme cover letter?

Also for the unspecified word count - what should I be aiming for? (is 1 side of A4 enough?)




Thank you greatly

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I feel this would be a good interview screening question to see if you have the right personality for a really slimy american firm

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I am a career changer (3.5 year in the industry) and currently 28. Managed to secure a training contract and a vac scheme so all good. However, recently, I have been having doubts whether I really want to be going to a law school at the age of 28...

The GDL and SQE sponsorship fees are not enough for me to allow me survive in London so I will have to work part-time - probably some coffee shop or sth. Again, after close to 4 years on a very comfortable salary, do I really want to be working on a minimum wage for 2 years? Also, what if I don't like the type of job - although I guess the vac scheme will help me to answer this question.

Anyone in a similar position? Anyone had similar questions? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi everyone.

I’m a trainee due to finish my TC in October this year. I’m starting to think about doing an early assessment and I’m worried I won’t be admitted after all my hard work due to my credit situation.

Long story short I have two CCJs showing on my file, and I am making payments towards them both. I also have defaults which have been passed to debt collectors. This all stems from a very abusive relationship, being a single parent due to said relationship and then when I’d finally found a stable one with my current partner, he was made redundant during covid and we had to rely solely on my income as a waitress at the time. I have also had struggles with mental health, particularly during my old relationship and in the two years following. This can be evidenced by my medical records presumably.

I am now actively paying towards my debts and I hope to be completely debt free by October at the latest. I can supply references for my personal circumstances at the time of my defaults.

Do you think good references are enough to outweigh this? My credit rating is still showing as poor.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all

as you can see from my account I am relatively new here, although I have browsed this forum many times before.

for a number of reasons, I have decided to sit SQE1 independently, with only Revise SQE materials. I did use Bridgitte's Notes but unfortunately found multiple spelling errors / other inaccuracies that dented my confidence in the materials.

I have tailored my revision to the specification found on the SRA website, and although I would say the Revise SQE materials are mostly helpful, I have noticed the odd error and in some instances I have used the internet to find more information, for example specific sections on the Companies Act 2006.

FLK1 and FLK2 are now not long away at all and I'm really worried I haven't prepared properly. I have spent lots of time going over the specific sections within the CA 2006, and other legislation, to get the precise sub-sections to incorporate into my notes. However, I am unsure if I am going into too much detail here? And because I have spent lots of time doing that I am worried I have neglected other topics. The amount of stuff we need to know is overwhelming me.

so my questions are:

1. do we need to know specific sections / sub-sections of legislation like CA 2006? I have spent a very long time crafting a perfect procedure plan for incorporating a company from scratch, directors duties, loans to directors for example - and I am worried that actually the sections are not required knowledge (rather, just the steps). Given I have effectively a week left until the exams, I'd like to know if I can abandon trying to recall the sections etc and just focus on the actual law itself in outline.

2. as I am self-studying I have relied on the specification. however I am worried that it is overly vague and much of the terminology is vacuous and so open-ended. For example, "company decision-making and meetings: procedural, disclosure and approval requirements" to me is pretty vague - going back to point 1, I have no idea if they expect us to know the sections verbatim, or generally how much detail they expect us to go into. Any clarification re the specification would be much appreciated - can anyone tell me what the course providers' specifications/learning guides say? do they provide any clarification or do they just revert back to the specification?

To anyone who replies, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. good luck to all sitting shortly.

has anyone heard from AG for London?

Has anyone completed Weil's VI?