[theobald]

What I want to know is-
1. Is there any hope of me getting a career in law?
2. What sort of firms would be realistic for me to aim for?
3. What can I do to improve my chances?

I'd really, really appreciate it if anyone could help me out at all or offer any advice.
My situation is as follows:
A Levels: BBBB
Uni: 2:1 in English Lit from MMU
GDL: Pass
LPC: Pass
Exracurriculars: None
Work exp: 6 months paralegaling at a decent North West firm, and 2 weeks work experience arranged with them (at a different office) this summer.

I don't really feel like I have a chance at the moment, but I'm not sure where to start improving my prospects. I'd really appreciate any guidance anyone can offer.

[h-g-1]

1. Since you have already had paralegalling experience, it shows that there is hope for you to have a career in law. But I think you mean do you have a chance to have a career as a solicitor. The answer to that is not so clear. No one here can say categorically one way or the other.

2. Your A-Levels will unfortunately mean you will not meet the grade requirements for most the top / large City firms. I don't know about regional firms so I hope someone who has experience can give you a balanced perspective. From my own experience, your A-Levels will mean it is a struggle for you to get pass automatic grade filters. Therefore, I would suggest you research firms that look past requiring candidates to have AAA/AAB even before they get to the application.
You haven't specified what department you paralegalled in and whether you enjoyed it. Nor what kind of area and what kind of firm you want to work for either. Did you enjoy the working environment of your NW firm? Would you want to work somewhere bigger? Were they specialists in something or very corporate? It's much better to start with what you know you want or at least what you don't want / like and work from there where it is likely you could get your foot in.
Is there no chance of getting a TC at the firm you're paralegalling at?

3. Your extra-curriculars - this none is quite worrying. Given that your grades are not particularly outstanding and by that I mean, it's not terrible but just average and bearing in mind how many applications firms are getting, extra-currics is one of the ways to stand out. Not being able to put anything down will make you stand out but probably not in a good light. Therefore, just wondering whether you have done anything at uni; the usual volunteering spiel? Is there something either hobby or sport or something that you're interested in and can pursue which just gives you more of a personality?

Don't be despondant but equally it is a tough market out there so be realistic with expectations especially considering how long it can take to qualify and "start" the career.

[nulli tertius]

(Original post by theobald)
What I want to know is-
1. Is there any hope of me getting a career in law?
2. What sort of firms would be realistic for me to aim for?
3. What can I do to improve my chances?

I'd really, really appreciate it if anyone could help me out at all or offer any advice.
My situation is as follows:
A Levels: BBBB
Uni: 2:1 in English Lit from MMU
GDL: Pass
LPC: Pass
Exracurriculars: None
Work exp: 6 months paralegaling at a decent North West firm, and 2 weeks work experience arranged with them (at a different office) this summer.

I don't really feel like I have a chance at the moment, but I'm not sure where to start improving my prospects. I'd really appreciate any guidance anyone can offer.

Look at the plus points.

You have funded and passed the LPC. That immediately puts you ahead of all the people only looking for training contracts with funded LPCs because door is now open to all of the firms that won't fund the LPC.

You best chance of a TC is obviously the firm where you have worked. Is that feasible?

If not, you are looking somewhere else. You have paralegalling experience and so you may be able to get through the door into another paralegal role. If you cannot get a TC directly, try and maximise your chances of an opportunity through another paralegal role.

Look for a paralegal role, that isn't a drone in a conveyancing or PI factory. You are much less likely to be offered something as one of 50 whose only interaction is with a computer program, than if say you are court clerking in a legal aid family practice or collating disclosure bundles in a commercial practice or submitting SDLT forms and land registry applications in a traditional conveyancing firm.

Moreover look for a firm that takes trainees and look at the background of the partners and the current assistant solicitors. Do they look like you?

Think about doing the FILEX exams. That is a back door by which you can become a solicitor by passing exams and 5 years paralegalling, with no need to do a TC.