∂ Law For Non Law Students Darren Johnson Careers Adviser.
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Transcript of ∂ Law For Non Law Students Darren Johnson Careers Adviser.
∂A Degree other than
Law
Graduate Diploma in Law
Full-time = 1 yearPart-time = 2 years
If you intend to
be a Solicitor
If you intend to
be a Barrister
Legal Practice Course
Full-time = 1 yearPart-time = 2 years
Training contract
2 years including Professional Skills course(Up to 4 years if taking the Part Time Study Contract
Admission as a Solicitor
BPTCFull-time 1 yearPart Time 2 years
Pupillage
6 months non -practising & 6 months practising
Practise as a
barrister
How to become a Lawyer in England & Wales
∂
Scotland /Northern Ireland
• www.lawscot.org.uk• www.advocates.org.uk
• www.lawsoc-ni.org• www.barlibrary.com
∂
Considering A Career As a Solicitor /Barrister
Exploration:
• Occupational Role – skills and qualities • Organisation – size/specialism's/location/clients
• Self
Make comparisons - be realistic
Weigh up the Risk – competition and potential cost of postgraduate training (BPTC/LPC)
∂
Competition
Solicitor 2008 6,303 training contracts 7,606 LPC passes
Note: Up to a ¼ of T.Cs go to conversion (mainly Bar) and still previous LPC candidates applying
Barrister – 34% of successful BPTC candidates obtained pupillage
Hence the importance of vacation scheme/mini pupillage/otherlegal related experience
∂
Barrister – Ask Yourself
Are you comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people?
Can you get your point across clearly?
Can you think quickly enough to respond to challenges?
Are you able to improvise?
Could you take knock backs in court without showing too much emotion?
Do you inspire confidence in others?
Could you cope with lots of travelling around the country to different courts? Are you comfortable with initial financial insecurity ?
∂
Solicitor – Ask Yourself
Happy with a great deal of teamwork
Comfortable with large amounts of client contact and
ability to develop good client relationships over time
In “City” firms willingness to travel abroad when necessary
∂
For Both
Good interpersonal skills
Stamina , willingness to work antisocial hours
Enthusiasm and commitment
Good judgement
Attention to Detail
Good written and research/analytical skills
An interest in learning about new areas and
providing practical advice to clients
∂
Researching Firms/Employers
International “City” Firm
National/Regional Firm
High Street/Legal Aid Firms
CPS/GLS
In-House i.e Barclays Capital/Tesco
Research – www.lawcareers.net/ Law Fair 23rd/24th November
∂
Areas of Law for Solicitors
Banking & FinanceCommercial LitigationCommercial PropertyCompany/Commercial & CorporateConstructionCorporate TaxCrime
EmploymentEnvironmentEU/CompetitionFamilyHuman RightsInsuranceIP/ITPersonal InjuryPrivate ClientShippingTMT
∂
Timetable - Solicitor
Final YearBefore Xmas and into New Year (many deadlines by
31st January, some earlier) apply for vacation schemes – don't forget Open Days too!
Epiphany Term /Easter Term up to July 31st (majority of law firm deadlines) research and apply for training contracts
Conversion Year – apply to LPC by Dec 1st www.lawcabs.ac.uk
∂
Researching Barrister profession- Types of ChambersSupersets – examples No5 Chambers/St Phillips Chambers
Regional Sets - outside of London (Birmingham/Bristol/Leads/Liverpool/Manchester)
Niche Sets – i.e Construction/I.P/Tax Law
∂
Barrister specialism's
Admiralty ChanceryCivilCommercialCommon LawConstructionCrime EmploymentFamily
HousingHuman RightsIPInternationalMediaPersonal InjuryPlanning and EnvironmentProfessional NegligencePublic LawRevenue
∂
GDL/PGDL/CPE
www.lawcabs.ac.uk
For full time courses
Part time apply direct to institutions
Current Deadline February 1st
Guaranteed Places Scheme – College of Law /BPP/–conditions apply
∂
Choosing the Law Conversion CourseConsider:
Location
What are the teaching and assessment methods? Do they suit your
needs/preferences?
Facilities
Staff levels
Cost (£2,900 – £8,100)* – some firms will sponsor
Pass Rate
Accommodation
Extra – Curricular
Visit institutions to help confirm where is best for you to study
* 2007-08 data
∂
Law Conversion
Intensive – consider your motivation and self discipline
Get legal work experience before the course to confirm interest
Seven compulsory foundation subjects:
Law of contract
Law of tort
Criminal law
Property law
Public law
Equity and Law of Trusts/Law of European Union
∂
Choosing a Training Contract
Research: Rotational Seats on offer (minimum 4 , some offer more for a broader experience, less time spent in each, or option to spend more time in one area)
Do you have an area of specialist interest you would like to have the opportunity to practise in after qualifying?
What are the support mechanisms – buddy e.t.c
Do you want the possibility of sitting one of your rotations overseas?
∂
Training Contracts/Pupillages What do employers want?Strong academics – Achievement – drive and determination
Soft Skills- persuasion/negotiation/customerfocused/attention to detail/problem solving/teamwork
Commercial Awareness
∂
Useful Sources for Vac Scheme/Mini Pupillages / Training Contract/Pupillage Limited Copies At Law Fair:
Training Contract and Pupillage HandbookTarget LawChambers and Partners
www.lawcareers.netwww.solicitors-online.comwww.chambersandpartners.comwww.pupillages.com
∂
LPC/BPTC
LPC ratings at www.sra.org.uk –commendable practise /confidence in provision/failure to meet required level of provision
Skills Developed :
LPC – legal drafting /interviewing and advising skills/advocacy/legal research
BPTC – advocacy/case prep/interviewing skills/negotiation/drafting/opinion writing – Life At The Bar –pass rate and number obtaining pupillage
∂
Timetable Barrister
Final Year
Michaelmas /Epiphany Term – research and apply for mini-pupillages (lawcareers.net)
Epiphany Term – apply to chambers who recruit 2 years in advance (www.pupillages.com)
Apply for Inn of Court Scholarships for GDL
Apply to join an Inn of Court
∂
Barrister Timetable
GDL Year
Michaelmas – Apply for BPTC (bptconline.co.uk)
Apply for Inns of Court Scholarships by 1st week of November
Epiphany – Apply for pupillages (www.pupillages.com) – OLPAS / Non OLPAS
Attend pupillage fairs & apply to chambers recruiting 1 year in advance
∂
Useful Events
• A Day In The Life of a Trainee 18th November ( Nov ER142, 5.30-8.30pm, Senate Suite, University College )
• Law Fair – 23rdth and 24th November 12pm-3.30pm, D.S.U
∂
Prepare For The Fair
Research the firms attendingMake a list of who you want to target Plan RELEVANT questions to ask- creates a professional and lasting impression- builds rapportYou gain maximum benefit from your interactions
Practise asking questions
Demonstrate a positive attitude
∂
Help from CAS
• Applications Advice• Quick Queries• Guidance Consultation• Events• Lunchtime Talks CV/Applications/Interviews• Information
∂
Careers Advisory Service
49 New Elvet (next to D.S.U)Term Time – 10am – 5pmVacation – 10am – 1pm 2.15pm – 5pmTel: 0191 334 1424/1437careers- [email protected]/careers-advice