2:2 with a Training Contract

I got a high 2:2 for my LLB, but I could provide evidence that could support my poor performance. I got a 2:1, a high 2:1, in my first year, though. And my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in my second year. She also divorced my dad shortly after. I wouldn't want to admit it, but this has affected me mentally. I wasn't in my best mental state at that point in time.
I just received an unconditional offer to pursue a Banking and Finance Law LLM at QMUL starting this September.
I was just wondering if, if I were to get a High Distinction in my LLM, would my LLM grade (kind of) prove my competency and my ability to excel in academics? I know quite a number of firms have removed the minimum grade requirement recently. So, I need to know what my chances are.
Also, I wouldn't mind doing a second degree (Bsc Finance) to aim for a 2:1 or 1:1 so I could leverage it to strengthen my application.
Can anyone please give me any advice on this?

I got a high 2:2 for my LLB, but I could provide evidence that could support my poor performance. I got a 2:1, a high 2:1, in my first year, though. And my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in my second year. She also divorced my dad shortly after. I wouldn't want to admit it, but this has affected me mentally. I wasn't in my best mental state at that point in time.
I just received an unconditional offer to pursue a Banking and Finance Law LLM at QMUL starting this September.
I was just wondering if, if I were to get a High Distinction in my LLM, would my LLM grade (kind of) prove my competency and my ability to excel in academics? I know quite a number of firms have removed the minimum grade requirement recently. So, I need to know what my chances are.
Also, I wouldn't mind doing a second degree (Bsc Finance) to aim for a 2:1 or 1:1 so I could leverage it to strengthen my application.
Can anyone please give me any advice on this?

I hope that your mother is OK.
I won't say that "degree washing" never works, and it might work for you because of the particular sad circumstances which you mention, but in general a good result in an LLM course won't sufficiently offset a bad result in a first degree course. The level of competition for training contracts is such that law firms are likely to choose the candidates with firsts and 2.1s in most instances.
Having an LLM or BCL is a bit like icing on the cake for the strongest candidates. Someone who applies, for example, to a magic circle firm or a set of barrister's chambers and who has a first in law will be more or less expected to have an LLM or a BCL as well, but other candidates won't be expected to have one.
Taking a second undergraduate degree would be expensive.
If you provide details of your circumstances in your applications, you might get a chance, but I fear that your 2.2 might see your application discarded during the initial sift.
If you target small to medium sized firms you might do better. Best of luck.

I agree with this. Most firms will take into consideration your extenuating circumstances.

I think firms will take extenuating circumstances into account if there is some evidence to support that those circumstances affected an applicant's studies e.g. that they raised it with their University and/or they were diagnosed with some form of medical condition that impacted on their work. There will be a healthy dollop of scepticism if an applicant refers to circumstances with nothing to evidence the impact.

I hope that your mother is OK.
I won't say that "degree washing" never works, and it might work for you because of the particular sad circumstances which you mention, but in general a good result in an LLM course won't sufficiently offset a bad result in a first degree course. The level of competition for training contracts is such that law firms are likely to choose the candidates with firsts and 2.1s in most instances.
Having an LLM or BCL is a bit like icing on the cake for the strongest candidates. Someone who applies, for example, to a magic circle firm or a set of barrister's chambers and who has a first in law will be more or less expected to have an LLM or a BCL as well, but other candidates won't be expected to have one.
Taking a second undergraduate degree would be expensive.
If you provide details of your circumstances in your applications, you might get a chance, but I fear that your 2.2 might see your application discarded during the initial sift.
If you target small to medium sized firms you might do better. Best of luck.

What about for firms without academic requirements? If I were to be able to demonstrate the quality they’re looking for, do I still stand a chance or will I be eliminated in the very early stage due to my poor grades?

Hi, yes I did raised it with my uni. So they sort of delayed my exams to the second sittings. Not sure if this would be an evidence? I could also submit medical reports that prove my mom’s condition.
I’m thinking that maybe I could do a second degree? Will that counteract my 2:2 grade if I got like a high 2:1 or a first?