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Law For Non Law Students

Law For Non Law Students . Darren Johnson Careers Adviser. How to become a Lawyer in England & Wales. Legal Practice Course Full-time = 1 year Part-time = 2 years. Training contract 2 years including Professional Skills course (Up to 4 years if taking the Part Time Study Contract.

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Law For Non Law Students

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  1. Law For Non Law Students Darren Johnson Careers Adviser

  2. How to become a Lawyer in England & Wales Legal Practice Course Full-time = 1 year Part-time = 2 years Training contract 2 years including Professional Skills course (Up to 4 years if taking the Part Time Study Contract If you intend to be a Solicitor Admission as a Solicitor Graduate Diploma in Law Full-time = 1 year Part-time = 2 years A Degree other than Law If you intend to be a Barrister BPTC Full-time 1 year Part Time 2 years Pupillage 6 months non -practising & 6 months practising Practise as a barrister

  3. Scotland /Northern Ireland • www.lawscot.org.uk • www.advocates.org.uk • www.lawsoc-ni.org • www.barlibrary.com

  4. 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)

  5. 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/other legal related experience

  6. 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 ?

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Banking & FinanceCommercial LitigationCommercial PropertyCompany/Commercial & CorporateConstructionCorporate TaxCrime EmploymentEnvironmentEU/CompetitionFamilyHuman RightsInsuranceIP/ITPersonal InjuryPrivate ClientShippingTMT Areas of Law for Solicitors

  11. Timetable - Solicitor Final Year Before 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

  12. Researching Barrister profession- Types of Chambers Supersets – 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

  13. Admiralty ChanceryCivilCommercialCommon LawConstructionCrimeEmploymentFamily HousingHuman RightsIPInternationalMediaPersonal InjuryPlanning and EnvironmentProfessional NegligencePublic LawRevenue Barrister specialism's

  14. 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

  15. Choosing the Law Conversion Course Consider: 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

  16. 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

  17. 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?

  18. Training Contracts/Pupillages What do employers want? Strong academics – Achievement – drive and determination Soft Skills- persuasion/negotiation/customer focused/attention to detail/problem solving/teamwork Commercial Awareness

  19. Useful Sources for Vac Scheme/Mini Pupillages / Training Contract/Pupillage Limited Copies At Law Fair: Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook Target Law Chambers and Partners www.lawcareers.net www.solicitors-online.com www.chambersandpartners.com www.pupillages.com

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. Prepare For The Fair Research the firms attending Make a list of who you want to target Plan RELEVANT questions to ask - creates a professional and lasting impression - builds rapport You gain maximum benefit from your interactions Practise asking questions Demonstrate a positive attitude

  25. Help from CAS • Applications Advice • Quick Queries • Guidance Consultation • Events • Lunchtime Talks CV/Applications/Interviews • Information

  26. Careers Advisory Service 49 New Elvet (next to D.S.U) Term Time – 10am – 5pm Vacation – 10am – 1pm 2.15pm – 5pm Tel: 0191 334 1424/1437 careers- advice@durham.ac.uk www.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice

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