Part time training contract?

Hey guys, two things initially:

1) I am dead set on a career in law, whether in-house or at a firm - it's the only career I am motivated to pursue.

2) I am aware these are very far and few between

However, I suffer from chronic fatigue - I am on an upward trajectory (Final year at Nottingham university), projecting ahead I can't say with certainty that I will in 2/3 years time say I will be able to work FT work and therefore a FT TC wouldn't be possible - without negotiation of hours worked within the week.

As such what are my best chances of getting a PT TC after GDL & LPC completion? I was currently planning to work whether part time within a firm/consistently accrue experience at a law firm, as an in, willing to work as a PT paralegal perhaps with the proviso that a PT TC would follow (the once they know me approach) any come back would be good.

I am just currently contingently thinking about my future, and obviously you cannot say with certainty what level my energy will be at by then.

Honestly, I think you will struggle to find a part time training contract. I know of a very few people who have done them whilst simultaneously studying the GDL and/or LPC (this was under the old training regulations). I don't know of anyone who has done one for medical or other reasons. I think your only route in is likely to be via paralegalling but even then I don't tend to see part time paralegal positions advertised. The profession is pretty behind the times when it comes to part time and flexible working.

I doubt any of the standard law firms in the City will allow a part-time training contract. There are far too driven by profit and I've never heard of such, unless the TC was completed alongside the GDL and LPC. There are some more progressive firms (at least that is what they claim) who encourage you to disclose your disability (CFS would be classed as one) so that they can make reasonable adjustments. In reality, I'm not sure how genuinely open or compassionate the big law firms are about this. Also bear in mind the number of TCs which firms offer to their own paralegals is extremely low. Some firms will tell their paralegals from the very get go that they will not be offered a TC.

Even as a trainee, the hours are long and there is probably very little room for negotiation unfortunately. The reality is that law has long hours and the people who can't hack that, for medical reasons or otherwise, will not succeed. In corporate practice areas, the hours are notoriously long and unpredictable. You're best bet is to look at smaller firms/ high street firms or in practice areas where the hours are more consistent. Good luck.

Hello there, and thank-you for your response. I am not gunning for a large city firm, or for even a big salary, it's purely the only job that motivates me. My plan was to aim for small/medium sized firms, then follow either paralegal with some conditional placed on a TC within a time period t. Or perhaps through connections, experience within a medium sized firm, be able to demonstrate enough value to be given one.

Reflexively it's obviously easier if you become ill after you've been practicing, but unfortunately, life doesn't work out that way.

Hey guys, two things initially:

1) I am dead set on a career in law, whether in-house or at a firm - it's the only career I am motivated to pursue.

2) I am aware these are very far and few between

However, I suffer from chronic fatigue - I am on an upward trajectory (Final year at Nottingham university), projecting ahead I can't say with certainty that I will in 2/3 years time say I will be able to work FT work and therefore a FT TC wouldn't be possible - without negotiation of hours worked within the week.

As such what are my best chances of getting a PT TC after GDL & LPC completion? I was currently planning to work whether part time within a firm/consistently accrue experience at a law firm, as an in, willing to work as a PT paralegal perhaps with the proviso that a PT TC would follow (the once they know me approach) any come back would be good.

I am just currently contingently thinking about my future, and obviously you cannot say with certainty what level my energy will be at by then.

It must be very difficult coping with CFS but I seriously admire your determination and passion. That will serve you well in your search for a legal career.

Through connections is the only way I have heard of people gaining part-time TC's (although these were done alongside the GDL/ LPC at very small firms in niche areas). Just remember that most people who paralegal do not ever get offered TC's and stay at that level. If you prove yourself to excel at what you do and have stellar intellect and social skills, then maybe you can convince others to bend backwards for you. Good luck!

I dont think you can formally apply for a p/t tc or at least ive never seen them advertised.

You would have to get into a firm and have some strings pulled for you at partner level. I dint think it would carry much weight in a large firm as they have so many paralegals these days. Everything is geared towards f/t.

The problem you have is how do you broach the fact you have chronic fatigue without them getting concerned of how it wll affect yours and by default other peoples work? A small firm that knows you cna make allowances for that, but a commercial medium or large firm I think will have less time for you. I'm sure some people must do p/t, but I vet they have been at their training firms a long time.

That raises the issue of how you are going to fund your GDL and LPC? Are you intending to try and become a paralegal without them?

Any chance you will make a recovery? Thats where my focus would be.