Desperate! Law work experience

Hey Law bods, I have a similar problem.

I've recently decided I want to do a law conversion after I finish my degree this summer (with a years out first to go to China). I really need sponsorship otherwise I will have to fund myself by working and taking the GDL part time - not a pleasant prospect but at least an alternative.

The problem is I have no experience. There is a long-winded explanation as to why I couldn't / didn't do an internship in my penultimate year (basically switching to Joint Schools in my second year and condensing my new subject from 4 years to 2, meaning that I had to spend my summer in Wales a) learning more Welsh to make up for not taking the 'compulsory' year abroad and b) completeing some research at Welsh libraries and writing a coursework essay which one is usually given the year out to complete) but I really don't suppose anyone gives a ****.

So, is work experience on my CV and application forms essential? I have obviously missed all the deadlines for summer schemes at city firms and I live in a godforsaken backwater that would make working for free for smaller London firms unviable. On the plus side my boyfriend's dad runs some chambers in the city so I could get some work experience there in a few weeks but will it look bad that my work experience is at a barristers firm when I am applying to be a solicitor?

This law business is very complicated...

dont worry, a lot of firms want second year law students for work experience. if youre only in sixth form i doubt you could be that much help, and if you do get work experience theres a chance you could get stuck with the secretary doing filing. but if you really want to do it, then phone round everywhere in your area, im sure there will be somewhere that will take you on, and someone suggested the local courts, thats always a good idea. and just sitting and watching a trial can be interesting if you get a good one.