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Jenny,
A number of points to make here:
First, the quality of the university counts for a lot. However, at the risk of incurring the wrath of the various students on here who are off to, or are already at, London universities I do not think that it is worth you going for UCL etc over Bristol or Brum. It is essential that you obtain an excellent grade at university and if your best chance of doing that is to live at home and attend a university close by, then go for that. As explained on previous posts I am not as familiar as I used to be with the merits of the various universities - however Bristol always used to have a good reputation and is supposed to be an excellent city. I am not familiar with glos or south wales unis.
As for work experience - that needs to be relevant to your career. It will not count for much if you have simply been working as a shop manager (for example) for a couple of years. If, however, you can demonstrate that you have learnt certain skills which will be of benefit to a law firm then great. When pointing to "work experience" you have gained you need to show you have gained good experience of the relevant industry rather than the fact that you have just been working!
Employers will want to know why you didn't take your A-levels earlier and decided to become a manager etc. They may see this as a disadvantage so be prepared for that.
If you have any other Qs then drop me a line.
Chalks.
A number of points to make here:
First, the quality of the university counts for a lot. However, at the risk of incurring the wrath of the various students on here who are off to, or are already at, London universities I do not think that it is worth you going for UCL etc over Bristol or Brum. It is essential that you obtain an excellent grade at university and if your best chance of doing that is to live at home and attend a university close by, then go for that. As explained on previous posts I am not as familiar as I used to be with the merits of the various universities - however Bristol always used to have a good reputation and is supposed to be an excellent city. I am not familiar with glos or south wales unis.
As for work experience - that needs to be relevant to your career. It will not count for much if you have simply been working as a shop manager (for example) for a couple of years. If, however, you can demonstrate that you have learnt certain skills which will be of benefit to a law firm then great. When pointing to "work experience" you have gained you need to show you have gained good experience of the relevant industry rather than the fact that you have just been working!
Employers will want to know why you didn't take your A-levels earlier and decided to become a manager etc. They may see this as a disadvantage so be prepared for that.
If you have any other Qs then drop me a line.
Chalks.
Vit - congrats on the sidley's job. Very powerful firm, particularly strong in the debt/equity cap markets and securitisation work. They've made a number of recent lateral partner hires - I think they're looking to start doing some competition work out of Brussels which could be interesting as that's not necessarily what I'd expect them to be doing. My concern with the US firms is that they're not necessarily going to be able to offer a well-rounded amount of training experience esp in areas such as litigation where those firms are traditionally weak. But, hey, they'll pay you a fortune.
Chalks.
Chalks.
Large international firm in Sydney. Used to work for a top ten City firm for 4 years after completing TC. You will appreciate that as a practising lawyer I would rather not divulge details of the actual firm I work for (or worked for in the past). Most people here seem to be genuinely interested in finding out more about the law and the profession and I'm pleased to be able to assist those people. However, it only needs one person with a grudge, or wanting to stir up trouble, for me to be seriously embarrassed professionally.
Sorry! You'll just have to take my word for it that I know something about the recruitment process, training contracts and life as a City lawyer.
Chalks.
Sorry! You'll just have to take my word for it that I know something about the recruitment process, training contracts and life as a City lawyer.
Chalks.
Hello Sir!
A couple of questions!
Im doing Law with French Law at the LSE and I have just completed my first year.
Ive been thinking that I would maybe like to get a job for a few years after I graduate in the Metropolitan Police Service before finally settling down to qualify as a lawyer (probably as an advocate) with a bit of my own capital behind me and not my parents'!
I have a keen interest in both Criminal and European law.
Firstly, would experience working in another professional field be acceptable to those who select pupils for their chambers?
Secondly, would working in the police spoil the neutrality that barristers have to have in the criminal law field? (I know separation between police and the CPS is often a concern)
Thirdly, if I eventually want to specialise in European law, do solicitors firms offer internships in France or Germany for 2nd year law students and are they extremely difficult to get into?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
(If my questions arent clear enough, just say!)
Ruth
A couple of questions!
Im doing Law with French Law at the LSE and I have just completed my first year.
Ive been thinking that I would maybe like to get a job for a few years after I graduate in the Metropolitan Police Service before finally settling down to qualify as a lawyer (probably as an advocate) with a bit of my own capital behind me and not my parents'!
I have a keen interest in both Criminal and European law.
Firstly, would experience working in another professional field be acceptable to those who select pupils for their chambers?
Secondly, would working in the police spoil the neutrality that barristers have to have in the criminal law field? (I know separation between police and the CPS is often a concern)
Thirdly, if I eventually want to specialise in European law, do solicitors firms offer internships in France or Germany for 2nd year law students and are they extremely difficult to get into?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
(If my questions arent clear enough, just say!)
Ruth
Hi Ruth and thank you for your questions. Don't worry - they're plenty clear enough!
The two areas of law you mention are quite different (crim and EU) - you will need to make a decision between those two fairly soon.
I think the idea of joining the police force with a view to moving into criminal law is very interesting. I can't speak for those who grant pupillages at barristers' chambers - as you know, I am a solicitor. However, I would have thought that your potential experience would be viewed positively. You will gain a good grounding in the law of evidence which is crucial for advocacy of any sort. Likewise, you should gain a good understanding of criminal procedure. Personally, I wish I had done something like join the police force! There are many of us who have been working in the profession for a while who wish we'd done something a bit different.
As for "neutrality" - a barrister isn't expected to be neutral. He is expected to fight for his client whether that be the defendant or the Crown (in criminal matters). He is not giving expert evidence for his client in which case he would be expected to be neutral and independent. He is there to present his client's evidence in the very best possible light within the bounds of the law, court procedure and his ethical obligations to the Court. Therefore, a barrister's past career should be of no relevance to his ability to represent his client.
There may be some vacation placements available in certain firm's Brussels' offices etc. However, these will be very few and far between and will, I imagine, be extremely difficult to get into. You might want to consider the possibility of working for one of the institutions themselves or even one of the lobbying organisations that operates there. Use your imagination!
Hope that helps
Chalks.
The two areas of law you mention are quite different (crim and EU) - you will need to make a decision between those two fairly soon.
I think the idea of joining the police force with a view to moving into criminal law is very interesting. I can't speak for those who grant pupillages at barristers' chambers - as you know, I am a solicitor. However, I would have thought that your potential experience would be viewed positively. You will gain a good grounding in the law of evidence which is crucial for advocacy of any sort. Likewise, you should gain a good understanding of criminal procedure. Personally, I wish I had done something like join the police force! There are many of us who have been working in the profession for a while who wish we'd done something a bit different.
As for "neutrality" - a barrister isn't expected to be neutral. He is expected to fight for his client whether that be the defendant or the Crown (in criminal matters). He is not giving expert evidence for his client in which case he would be expected to be neutral and independent. He is there to present his client's evidence in the very best possible light within the bounds of the law, court procedure and his ethical obligations to the Court. Therefore, a barrister's past career should be of no relevance to his ability to represent his client.
There may be some vacation placements available in certain firm's Brussels' offices etc. However, these will be very few and far between and will, I imagine, be extremely difficult to get into. You might want to consider the possibility of working for one of the institutions themselves or even one of the lobbying organisations that operates there. Use your imagination!
Hope that helps
Chalks.
Thank you so much!
That is the most useful advice anyone has ever given me!
xx
That is the most useful advice anyone has ever given me!
xx
I'm getting to the stage of applying for vac schemes next summer before trying to secure a training contract the year after.
Obviously the good A-Levels, and extra-ciricular stuff goes without saying and is always spoken about. Its also well known that a 2.1 is needed.
My question is thus:
Do firms look at the modules you've taken, and if so how much weight is given to them?
In my first year i did Criminal, Constitutional, Roman, Tort.
This forthcoming year i will be doing Land, Contract, International, Sentancing and the penal system, and criminal evidence and procedure,
and i intend to do Equity, EU, Company, Family, and Administrative next year.
Would any firms make any judgements about these? Especially as CPE and SPS are considered 'easier' that Labour and others for example.
regards,
Obviously the good A-Levels, and extra-ciricular stuff goes without saying and is always spoken about. Its also well known that a 2.1 is needed.
My question is thus:
Do firms look at the modules you've taken, and if so how much weight is given to them?
In my first year i did Criminal, Constitutional, Roman, Tort.
This forthcoming year i will be doing Land, Contract, International, Sentancing and the penal system, and criminal evidence and procedure,
and i intend to do Equity, EU, Company, Family, and Administrative next year.
Would any firms make any judgements about these? Especially as CPE and SPS are considered 'easier' that Labour and others for example.
regards,
I don't think firms will look too closely at your options. Provided you're demonstrating that you're able to achieve the requisite grades then you should be fine. Plus, you're doing EU and Company next year which could be said to be the ones of most relevance to a City type firm (if that's who you're applying to).
Of greater importance is the stuff that goes on the application forms themselves and anything which demonstrates that you have a real interest in the law and commerce/business in general.
As for getting a vac scheme - don't worry if you don't get one. It's even more of a lottery to get on one of those than to get a TC itself.
Chalks.
Of greater importance is the stuff that goes on the application forms themselves and anything which demonstrates that you have a real interest in the law and commerce/business in general.
As for getting a vac scheme - don't worry if you don't get one. It's even more of a lottery to get on one of those than to get a TC itself.
Chalks.
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