Training Contracts 2014

Hi

has anyone read/used this book: http://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/Catalogue/ProductDetails.aspx?recordid=4209&productid=344821

If so, what did you think of it?

Generally, what do you guys think of these types of books? Will it just be stuff I should already know/freely available on the internet etc?

Or do you think they can actually be helpful?

Yeah, I've read it. It didn't really tell me anything that I didn't already know from my research, but it's nice to have some of the information all in one place I suppose. I think it'd be more helpful for someone who had just started at Uni rather than someone at the TC application stage. I did find this book helpful though for commercial awareness.

PLEASE HELP NEED GUIDANCE ASAP!

I'm currently in my second year of the MLaw (Exempting) Degree at Northumbria University. This degree comprises the LLB and LPC in a 4 year course, and has been spoken of highly by some academics/legal magazines etc...

I've noticed firms have begun to form partnerships with law schools - mainly BPP and College of Law.

I still have the option of studying a 3 year LLB at Northumbria and could apply to study the LPC at the College of Law or BPP law school.

From a recruiters perspective, via which route would I be better presented as an applicant?

Also - I must decided whether to study the 3 year LLB or 4 year exempting degree in March so if (IF) I secure a training contract in this cycle, by offer stage I will have already made my decision re LPC...!

Whilst I appreciate the 'up and coming' course that Northumbria offers, I honestly fear that the LPC at eg College of Law is simply better and more focused...

ADVICE PLEASE

Unfortunately, I don't know if this MLaw degree is as respected as you think. I imagine the better route - by a considerable distance - is to do your LLB at Northumbria (which isn't a target university for most large firms, so you'll need a lot to attract their attention in the first place!) and then do the LPC in London.

You'll be surrounded by people who have been through / are going through the same process from a variety of different undergraduate universities and you'll be in London which will make any interviews / networking vastly easier (particularly as most firms are cutting back on the universities they send recruiters to).

The only downside is the cost will be huge compared to doing one more year in Northumbria - whether your target firm will retrospectively repay your LPC fees and provide you with maintenance should probably factor into the decision.

Freshfields app and verbal reasoning test submitted.

FYI anyone who is planning to apply - the personal statement section says it accepts up to 850 words. What it doesn't tell you until you try to enter your ps is that it also can't be over 5000 characters (which relates more closely to 800 than 850 words...) Just a heads up!

Freshfields app and verbal reasoning test submitted.

FYI anyone who is planning to apply - the personal statement section says it accepts up to 850 words. What it doesn't tell you until you try to enter your ps is that it also can't be over 5000 characters (which relates more closely to 800 than 850 words...) Just a heads up!

What difference does it make if you apply for both vac scheme and training contract together or apply for them separately over a period of months? Thanks!

Some people say that it's actually harder to get on the VS than the TC. I can see where this comes from as some big firms might have fewer VS places than training places, and some firms recruit either exclusively from the VS or take "most" of their trainees from the VS. Personally, I have no idea if this is actually the case, but it sounds reasonable.

Unfortunately, I don't know if this MLaw degree is as respected as you think. I imagine the better route - by a considerable distance - is to do your LLB at Northumbria (which isn't a target university for most large firms, so you'll need a lot to attract their attention in the first place!) and then do the LPC in London.

You'll be surrounded by people who have been through / are going through the same process from a variety of different undergraduate universities and you'll be in London which will make any interviews / networking vastly easier (particularly as most firms are cutting back on the universities they send recruiters to).

The only downside is the cost will be huge compared to doing one more year in Northumbria - whether your target firm will retrospectively repay your LPC fees and provide you with maintenance should probably factor into the decision.

Is it acceptable to quote the firm brochure (referring to particular attributes etc) when answering the question ''why this firm''?

Is it acceptable to quote the firm brochure (referring to particular attributes etc) when answering the question ''why this firm''?

I would avoid quoting the firm's brochure. Likewise, I don't think you should quote the programme manager for the student law centre, as you've suggested you would in your earlier post.

Application form questions aren't like English lit or law essays where you're expected to support your arguments by quoting from texts, or citing judgments. Your responses to the questions should be self-supporting i.e. they shouldn't need to be bolstered by quotes from other material.

Some people say that it's actually harder to get on the VS than the TC. I can see where this comes from as some big firms might have fewer VS places than training places, and some firms recruit either exclusively from the VS or take "most" of their trainees from the VS. Personally, I have no idea if this is actually the case, but it sounds reasonable.

Just a quick question:

If a firm offers open days and your intention is to apply for a TC, is it perfectly acceptable to just go ahead and submit a TC app? Or by ignoring the open day option, does it perhaps create the impression that the applicant is simply firing off one of many TC apps without taking the (specifically designated) opportunity to experience what the firm has to offer firsthand?

I'd also like to hear people's thoughts on the above question with regard to VS' rather than open days...

Thanks.