Law Special Edition 2009

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Contents IN THIS 2009 issue

On the cover

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Up front

Features

6 Perfectly presented They say you can tell the quality of a man by the cut of his cloth and a person wearing a tailored suit is still seen as having authority. Our feature tells you how you, too, can dress for success

10 Case studies We’ve been out and about talking to graduate trainees in law so you can see what working in the sector is really all about

34 Law – the third way Studying to be a legal executive is now a nationally recognised alternative to studying the law in the traditional way.

16 All change Changes to the way solicitors and barristers are trained are on their way. Real World gives you the latest information on what to expect

38 The north south divide There are some substantial differences between the law north and south of the border.

If you are considering practising law in Scotland read our special report

8 Becoming a lawyer Think you could make it in the world of law? We explain the different routes into the law for law and non-law graduates alike. Including case studies with graduate trainees z

23 Raising the bar What do barristers do apart from stride around looking angry? Hannah Davies explores what happens when you are called to the Bar and what really goes on in the world beneath the wig z 24 Working for the public good If you would like to do something tangible for your country then you should explore joining either the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the Government Legal Service (GLS). z 28 Converting to law Even if you studied something other than law at university, you can still take a conversion course. See if you could be one of the 30 per cent of new trainees who do just that 30 Join the paras If the cost of training to be a lawyer or barrister seems prohibitive, you could opt to become one of the growing band of paralegals

42 Well schooled Demand for postgraduate courses in law is currently very high, so we show you what you should be looking for before applying z 47 Law career fairs Serious abour practising law? We provide details of law career fairs across the country 48 Recruiter Files A round-up of law firms with training contracts on offer and law schools offering courses that will help you progress in your legal career Jobs in your inbox For hundreds more graduate jobs have a look at our website: www.realworldmagazine.com.

Register and receive the latest jobs by email

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Client Services Manager Marie Tasle Managing Director Darius Norell Real World 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Telephone: 020 7735 4900 Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 info@realworldmagazine.com www.realworldmagazine.com for job vacancies, careers advice and case studies. Copyright © 2008 Cherry Publishing.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Living by the law

F

irst, the good news; you don’t necessarily have to be studying a law degree in order to go on to a career in law. In fact, 40 per cent of trainee solicitors and a significant proportion of pupil barristers qualify after taking a law conversion course, having studied everything from geography to maths at university. Second, even better news; trainee solicitors and barristers are paid significantly more than graduates in most other sectors. If that’s got your interest then read on, for this issue of Real World is packed full of other facts, figures and information on why the legal profession is so exciting and inviting, and why it could be the career for you even if you’ve never considered it before.

The law in this country constantly changes with new legislation appearing on an almost daily basis. That’s why the features within this issue do not just concentrate on the traditional roles of the solicitor and barrister, but also on the fast emerging roles of the paralegal and the legal executive. As training contracts and pupillages become harder to find, these new routes into the profession are becoming more attractive and there are now 500,000 paralegals in the UK as opposed to 132,000 solicitors and barristers. Find out whether they could be the career for you from page 30 onwards.

If you want to enter the legal profession in order to serve your country, then you should consider a career in either the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the Government Legal Service (GLS). The CPS is the main prosecuting service in England and Wales, while virtually all UK regulations are the work of the GLS and together they employ over 4,000 lawyers and barristers. Read our feature on pages 24 and 25 to find out more.

Elsewhere, you’ll find information on how you can convert to law, what to look out for when choosing a law school, and last but most certainly not least, Real World’s popular case studies with recent graduates already out there working in both large and small law films. We hope you enjoy what they have to say and you can find even more case studies, news, and those all important job advertisements online at www.realworldmagazine.com

Dee Pilgrim, Editor dee@realworldmagazine.com

Contributors HANNAH DAVIES Hannah Davies took German and Russian at Cambridge. She stayed on to do an Mphil in European Literature before becoming a journalist. She joined the Real World team in 2007 in the position of editorial assistant, writing features and conducting case studies.

MADHVI pankhania Madhvi is an English graduate from Somerville College, Oxford.

She worked for the Student Union as a sabbatical officer before joining the Press Office at Real World Magazine, working on the Real World Awards.

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PERFECTLY PRESENTED Why you should dress smart for success

In these days when even multibillionaires wear jeans and trainers, you’d think people would no longer judge a person by their appearance.

But no, not a bit of it, for as a recent survey of over 3,200 office workers by Reed Employment demonstrates, 51 per cent of people still believe dressing smartly helps win promotions, while 87 per cent would always wear a suit to work.

A

ccording to Personal Branding guru Lesley Everett, they’d do well to make the effort because keeping up appearances is still vital to your success. She explains: ‘Many companies don’t want to go down the smart/casual route because it loses their corporate identity. I think companies should get on the right track of having an appropriate dress code and educating employees to understand what appropriate actually means.

The key things to think about are who is the client or the audience today? What are their expectations? What is the situation or environment? And finally, what are my objectives?’

perfectly presented | dressing the part

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

Lesley says these are really important guidelines, because if an interview is quite formal and your objective is to sell yourself in the shortest possible time, then a suit is always appropriate.

‘You must wear a jacket. That can be tough for graduates coming into their first interview because they don’t necessarily have a smart suit. However, there are plenty of shops that sell suits and jackets at reasonable prices. I totally believe people should be individual, but it is also about what you are trying to project of yourself in the corporate or business world. You have to make a prospective employer comfortable that you will be projecting their brand in the way they need it to be projected. You just need to put a bit more thought into it. Even if you are a casual person you can’t be that casual in a corporate environment.’

‘

you have to make a prospective employer comfortable you can project their brand.

’

a coloured bra under a white shirt – you can get away with it in the fashion world, but do not do it in the corporate world or for an interview, and make sure your buttons do not gape. That’s a complete no-no, it looks sloppy. Buy a size bigger.’

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS Borrowing a suit really isn’t appropriate because they won’t fit well and you end up looking as if you shouldn’t have bothered.

She says one of the easiest ways to judge what is appropriate is to stand outside the building of a prospective employer at lunchtime and see how the people who work there are dressed.

You don’t always have to go for black, grey or brown, but bear

TOP TIPS FOR MEN ‘Men tend to get it more wrong than women. It’s not that they don’t care, but more because they genuinely don’t think about it. Good fit is a really important element; I say buy a moderately priced outfit but make sure it fits really well. It is well worth it to get alterations done so sleeve and trouser leg length are absolutely right. It’s also worth it to go for a size bigger and have it altered than squeezing into something that is too small.

in mind dark shades always convey more authority, so if you are looking for work in a Law firm go for darker shades. Whatever

Accessorise with a well chosen, good quality tie, cufflinks, or shoes that can lift the outfit. Shoes don’t necessarily have to be

you do, don’t wear trainers. Smart shoes are the order of the day and all shoes should be well looked after and polished.

the formal brogues or Oxford styles; Jeffrey West at M&S has got some great styles that are slightly unusual, yet still look smart

TOP TIPS FOR WOMEN ‘You must wear tights or stockings in hot weather. Bare legs are one of the biggest ways of destroying professional credibility.

The more flesh you show, the less credible you become. The same goes with strappy, open-toed sandals, just don’t wear them, wear shoes. Yes, you can wear boots with skirts, they are very fashionable now. Do watch the backs of your shoes because if you drive a lot they can get scuffed and it gives a very bad impression. Also, don’t wait until they are really worn down to get them reheeled. There’s nothing worse, no matter how much time and effort you put into the rest of your outfit. If your shoes are looking tired it will really let you down.

‘Don’t overdo it in terms of the number of accessories you wear. Don’t ever wear more than eight at any one time. One well-chosen, dramatic necklace, if that suits your style and personality, can be very effective.

‘It is very important to wear the right underwear. Do not wear

and formal for younger guys. In a corporate environment having leather soles is really important. Non-leather soled shoes never go unnoticed and leather soles last forever, so don’t underestimate the impact they have.’

THE BIG DAY It may sound like over-doing it, but having a wardrobe rehearsal before your interview can really help. Everthing should be cleaned and ironed and you should make sure you feel comfortable, as Lesley says: ‘Comfort is important because if you don’t feel comfortable with what you are wearing, you are never going to look that confident.’

Lesley Everett is an internationally acclaimed professional keynote speaker on personal branding and perception management. Her clients include several FTSE 100 companies including Barclays Bank, Lehman Brothers, BT, GE and Tesco.

She is the author of Drop Dead Brilliant - dazzle in the workplace with confidence and panache. n

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becoming a lawyer | introduction

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becoming a lawyer | introduction

becominga lawyer

‘A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools,’ according to Thomas Jefferson. Even if you have a law degree, you’ll need further training to work in the legal sector. Real World sets out the different routes into law.

By Hannah Davies SOLICITORS

Getting Started If your undergraduate degree is in a subject other than law, you will need to undertake the one-year law conversion course known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). The GDL is sometimes referred to by its old name, the Common Professional Exam (CPE).

Those who have completed the GDL or who hold an undergraduate law degree then embark upon the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The LPC currently lasts for one year of full-time study or two years part-time. This is the vocational phase of the training and comprises two stages: stage one is for compulsory modules, then during stage two students choose three specialist subjects. The range of elective subjects on offer varies depending on the course provider, so make sure you do your research. There are also ‘pervasive’ elements, common to every course, which include ethics and advocacy.

The cost of the course varies significantly, with fees

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

ranging from £5,000 to £9,000 or more; you also need to factor in living costs and additional expenses such as

Competition for places is fierce. Bear in mind that many larger law firms fill their training contract places two years in advance. Salaries vary depending on the type of firm.

ILEX You can also qualify as a solicitor through the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) pathway. This involves taking the standard ILEX exams as well as some extra qualifications.

BARRISTERS Getting Started Following either the GDL (see Solicitors above) or an undergraduate law degree, future barristers must take the one-year Bar Vocational Course (BVC). There are compulsory modules including civil litigation and professional ethics, as well as two optional subjects. Practical skills, such as drafting and advocacy, form an important part of the course. Following successful completion of the BVC you are ‘called to the Bar’ – that is, you become a qualified barrister.

However, you must undertake a pupillage in order to practise independently.

The cost of the BVC ranges from £8,000 to £12,000 or more. You must join one of the four Inns of Court before you register for the course. What’s more, you are required to complete twelve ‘qualifying units’ (such as attending education days or dinners) through your Inn before being called to the Bar. The Inns also offer a variety of awards and

textbooks. Some law firms offer sponsorship as part of their training contract package, and there are bursaries available

scholarships for the BVC.

from the Law Society.

Applications for LPC courses go through the Central Applications Board. Before starting the LPC, you must become a student member of the Law Society; this is organised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Pupillage The final stage is an ‘apprenticeship’ at a set of chambers and usually takes one year. Pupillage is divided into two six-month periods, known as ‘sixes’. During the first ‘six’ you will spend most of your time shadowing and assisting a senior barrister. If this goes well, you will receive a Provisional Qualifying Certificate. The second ‘six’ should see you dealing with your own clients and court work, albeit with your supervisor’s permission. The sixes will not necessarily be spent within the same chambers.

OLPAS is an online application service for pupillages.

There are two recruitment seasons: summer, during which the larger chambers tend to advertise, and winter. You can apply to up to twelve chambers per season. Not all chambers advertise via OLPAS. Visit www.pupillages.com for further information. The competition is intense however, work experience, in the form of ‘mini-pupillages’, should put you

The Training Contract The training contract is the final stage of qualifying as a solicitor, and involves working at a law firm for two years. This is the time for trainee solicitors to put their knowledge and skills into practice, supervised by a qualified solicitor. The SRA requires that you cover a minimum of three areas of work. At larger law firms your training contract will be divided between several different departments; these periods are known as ‘seats’. Your experience of the training contract will vary to an extent depending on the type of law firm. You must also complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC) during your training contract.

Law firms are obliged to pay for their trainees to take the PSC.

at an advantage, and persistence is key.

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

cult 1990’s TV series This Life. Thinking I wanted a piece of this fast-paced, non-stop party lifestyle cemented my choice of career!

Matt Braithwaite Age: 27 Degree: LLB with honours from Coventry University (1999 – 2002) Post graduate. Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC) from the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) (2002 – 2003). Diploma in Trust and Estate Administration from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) (2007 – current) Job title – Assistant Solicitor, Stone King LLP, Bath. Area of law – Private Client (Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts) Can you describe exactly what you do? A typical day will involve meeting a client to discuss their Will and take their instructions. I will then draft their Will and send it to them for their approval. If they are happy I then ask the client back into the office to sign the Will. I also deal with the administration of estates which essentially means dealing with someone’s affairs when they have died. This will include meeting with the personal representatives, gathering together details of their estate, calculating inheritance tax and income tax, obtaining probate, paying legacies, drafting accounts, and making distributions. I act on behalf of trustees of trusts by preparing accounts and tax returns, working closely with financial advisors to make sure they are making the right investments for the beneficiaries, and fulfilling their obligations. This is where a real grasp of equity is essential. I also draft trust deeds and other trust documentations. Part of my job involves advising elderly clients, in particular appointing attorneys on their behalf to deal with their financial affairs or, where they are incapable of giving instructions, making applications to the Court of Protection for the court to appoint someone to deal with their affairs on their behalf.

Were you always interested in law as a career sector? Yes. I was able to gain work experience at a high street practice where my mum worked as a legal secretary whilst I was studying for my GCSEs in 1995. I enjoyed the diversity of private practice (as well as the photocopying and tea making!). Perhaps rather superficially my interest in pursuing law as a career became stronger thanks to the

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What factors made you decide on your particular university/degree? If I am honest, I was led by my A level results. Although not bad by most people’s standards, law is a popular subject and many of the top universities demand the top grades. This limited my choice of universities. I also wanted to go to a university which offered a good course in a place which offered lots of social activities, and at the same time retained a campus feel. Attending the open day was enough to convince me that Coventry was the place for me.

Would you undertake further study to help your career progression? I am currently studying for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ Diploma in Trust and Estate Administration which is essentially the ‘bench mark’ qualification for my area of the law.

The diploma involves studying four papers in different areas of practice. It was my choice as to whether to study for the diploma. The studying involves a lot of hard work and dedication of my own time outside of work, but the benefit of knowing the theory behind what I do every day is invaluable.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy the contact I have with clients the most. I see people for different reasons every day. Whether it is to make a Will, or discuss some tax planning, or to discuss the administration of an estate.

Social events can involve going out to lunch, or being invited to networking events.

A more challenging side to the job is visiting clients in hospital to make Wills, when they only have a matter of days to live.

Christie Charlton Age: 24 Degree and university: LLB Law (2:1), Manchester University Job Title: Trainee, Addleshaw Goddard Why did you decide on a career in law?

Having dabbled in debating and enjoyed critical and analytical subjects throughout

school, the law seemed a natural choice.

Early work experience and my law degree confirmed that I was more suited to the higher levels of team work and client contact associated with solicitors rather than the Bar, and so I then turned my mind to what area I thought would tick the right boxes for me. I took the time to attend open days and vacation schemes across the board - from large regional, to small specialist, and international and City firms - and chose to apply to Addleshaw Goddard on the basis of this experience.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I’m currently in Corporate and am involved in a huge variety of work. The team makes sure trainees get a taste of everything that being a corporate lawyer is about, so to date I’ve been involved in share issues, bond issues, and company sales. The kind of work that lands on my desk day-to-day includes board minutes, due diligence, verification, and company reports.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? There’s never a dull moment! I enjoy being busy and being challenged, and the intellectual work out is exactly what I came into the law for. Solving client problems is hugely satisfying, particularly when you’re really getting down to the nitty gritty elements of a deal. The key thing for me though is the people. On the one hand there are the clients who I’ve been able to work alongside -- be they from banks or companies, or from my case in-house on secondment which saw me jetting off to Cameroon -- and on the other hand, the faces that I see in the office on a daily basis. The firm is growing through attracting and retaining lawyers who genuinely enjoy working here, but who realise that there’s more to life than the day job, and that’s massively important to me.

Particularly at the trainee level, and probably more so in transactional seats, unpredictable working patterns can be rather frustrating. There is no such thing as a normal hours job in a City firm, although usually you can get a good handle on when you’ll have to knuckle down and put those extra hours in. Of course, extra long hours usually mean extra big celebrations at closing!

What strengths do you need to succeed? The ability to think critically and commercially with regards to long and short term outcomes because an issue will never be as black and white as the client would have you believe!

Interpersonal skills are fundamentally important, both in terms of day-to-day work within your team and also working alongside clients. Clients and colleagues should feel able (within reason) to ask you anything. As a trainee this is hugely important; the ability to remain enthusiastic and self-motivated isn’t an easy task, but one that makes a huge difference to everyone when you can still crack a smile at two in the morning!

becoming a lawyer | case studies

‘

real estate litigation revolves around something really tangible as many of the buildings are wellknown locations in central london.

Ruchdi Maalouf

’

Degree and university: Law in France for a law degree at Université Paris 1, Panthéon Sorbonne, and in London for an LLM at SOAS, University of London.

Work title: Tokyo Projects Team, Herbert Smith Why did you decide on a career in law? For a long time, I hesitated between a career in journalism and a career in law. What decided it for me was the work experience I

gas, electricity, and infrastructure sectors. We represent Japanese and other clients in their international transactions outside Japan (the UK, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia, to name a few). The type of transactions varies a lot. Some consist of the purchase of an interest in a petroleum field, others in the review of the projects documents relating to the development of an electricity plant (including contracts to build railways and contracts to supply the electricity to the grid for example).

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are there any downsides? What I love about my job is the international opportunities it has offered me. My dream was always to work overseas, and to learn more about other cultures and continents. Japan is a fantastic place to live in. Its culture and the quality of life here exceeded my expectations. As there was an opportunity to stay in the Projects team after qualification, I applied, and now look forward to beginning my career as an associate in Japan.

There are downsides to every job. A job that comes with increasing responsibilities and a good salary is bound to be demanding, and there are occasions when we have to work long hours.

What skills do you think you need to succeed as a solicitor? In order to be a successful commercial lawyer, you need to work hard to achieve two things: technical excellence, and commercial excellence.

You need to know the law relating to your area of practice inside out. You also need to understand in-depth what your clients are doing: this is necessary to communicate effectively with them, understand their needs, and provide them with practical legal advice they can use.

Sara Keag gained in a law firm in Paris. I was trying to save some money to travel to China and found a job in a law firm as a paralegal. I enjoyed the work very much, and realised that a legal career could be exciting and intellectually rewarding.

What did the application process involve? For me, the application process was a bit more lengthy than usual. I decided to embrace a legal career several years after graduating and began as a paralegal. After several years of legal work, I applied for training contracts and obtained one at Herbert Smith.

After that, I completed a law conversion course (because I had a French law degree and not a UK one). I completed it over two years through distance learning while working full-time. Following that, I enrolled in the Legal Practice Course (LPC) full-time in London.

What type of work are you currently doing?

My current seat is in the Tokyo Projects team.

Projects involves work relating to the oil and

Age: 26 Degree and university: Law and French, Trinity College, Dublin. LPC: College of Law, Chester Job title: Trainee, Olswang Why did you decide on a career in law? When I was 17, I brought a successful case in Belfast High Court, which judicially reviewed a decision taken against me by my orchestra.

Following that I shadowed a barrister as part of my school work experience. Both experiences helped me realise that one day I would like to become a solicitor.

What did the application process involve?

Following university I spent a year in Japan, on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme. The summer between returning from Japan and commencing the LPC was spent applying for training contracts. I found that Olswang’s application process was the least aggressive out of all the schemes I applied to and interviewed for. The first stage is to submit a CV and covering letter.

Following this I was called for a 30 minute interview with a representative from HR. Also at the first interview I completed a short psychometric test, and a written exercise. The second round interview consisted of an interview with two partners, a case study, and a written test.

What type of work are you doing on your current seat? I am currently in the Real Estate Litigation department. Olswang’s Real Estate practice consists mainly of landlord clients. Legislation protects tenants from being evicted from their premises except in exceptional circumstances. Upon renewal of any particular lease, the landlord needs to decide what its strategy might be for the premises – whether they would like to enter into a renewal lease with the tenant; whether they would prefer to regain possession of the premises; or perhaps the landlord might try to negotiate a new lease with the tenant on more favourable terms. A trainee’s job is usually to commence these negotiations with the tenant by drafting the appropriate notice. Other aspects of Real Estate Litigation work involve serving schedules of dilapidations on tenants, recovering arrears from tenants, and dealing with insolvent tenants.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? As a trainee in Real Estate Litigation I have had exposure to every stage of the litigation process. I have commenced and drafted defences to claims, progressed those claims through to trial, and I have even been engaged in the inevitable post trial process of determining who pays whose costs. For me, the fact that Real Estate Litigation revolves around something tangible keeps the work really interesting as more often than not the buildings are well-known central locations in London.

Normally I have about 30 current matters at any one time. Often I find that it is difficult to know how to prioritise those matters that should take precedence over others. In these circumstances it is interesting to learn from supervision how best to deal with the situation. I am confident that knowing how to prioritise is a skill that develops as you become more experienced.

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Your Your perspective perspective

Multiplying your potential

×

Our world

“It’s exactly how I wanted my career to develop.

I’m working in a global, multi-cultural setting, on high quality deals with blue-chip clients, and all within a welcoming and supportive environment. It’s about helping me to develop my experience and enabling me to be the best lawyer I can be.”

Emily Carlisle, Associate, Corporate

Do you want to multiply your potential? www.multiplyingyourpotential.co.uk

becoming a lawyer | case studies

‘

an ability to communicate and argue is key. language is central to being a lawyer -- you have to be able to use it well.

’

William Samengo Turner

Age: 25, Degree and university: History at Oxford.

Work title: Trainee solicitor, Allen & Overy.

What do you actually do? It’s fairly difficult to give a comprehensive list of what I do as the work differs from department to department.

At my level there’s obviously a lot of document management, particularly on large deals. Trainees are often the first port of call for research tasks and simple drafting, but we’re also expected to take minutes at meetings, help out with recruitment and marketing events, and get involved in charity work for the firm.

Why did you decide to go into the financial sector? The area in which I work is quite sharply focused on commercial and financial law and, to be honest, when it came to choosing a career I had very little interest in areas of law such as crime, family, and immigration. The slightly more academic

legal training is managed for you. In terms of further training, I would definitely spend time improving my foreign languages.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I’m lucky in that I get to work right in the thick of it on relatively high-profile matters; getting to see what’s going on behind the headlines is always interesting. Moreover, these deals will often be the first of their kind – solving problems that haven’t been considered before is always satisfying.

All jobs have downsides. Obviously the hours can be annoying but I think anyone considering a career at a City firm knows exactly what to expect on that front. You have to focus on a decent balance between work inside and outside the office.

What skills do you think you need to succeed? An attention to detail is invaluable, particularly as a trainee, but as far as I’m concerned an ability to communicate and argue well is key.

Language is central to being a lawyer – you have to be able to use it well.

System and assisting on a feasibility study for a transport infrastructure project.

I have prepared preliminary advice for clients on a range of EU regulatory issues such as compliance with energy efficiency, food labelling legislation, requirements for car manufacturers and airlines operating within the EU, and in matters related to governments giving state aid to public authorities.

What advice would you give graduates coming into this sector? Get as much experience as you can on open days, vacation placements and seminars - there is a huge selection of firms in London so make sure you take enough time to pick the one that suits you.

‘

Isi Ewah Age: 26 Degree and university: Economics BSc University of Birmingham Job title: Trainee solicitor, Berwin Leighton Paisner Why did you decide on a career in law? I chose law because of my interest in the business world and its objectives of success, growth, and income generation - knowing that law forms the fabric of commercial interaction between people and institutions on a global scale. I knew that I wanted to work alongside hard working and talented people, and apply myself to challenging work.

aspect of working in the City which being a Commercial Lawyer brings appealed to me – I like to be able to see the workings of a particular transaction.

What did the application process involve?

After submitting a successful application, I attended an assessment centre at the firm, which involved a presentation, an in-tray exercise, letter drafting, and a negotiation exercise followed by an interview with HR. I then completed a two week vacation placement in the summer, at the end of which I was interviewed by two partners.

Would you undertake further training to enhance your career? As a lawyer you can’t really avoid training – changes take place every day, and you need to be coached in new procedures and disciplines. The beauty of working for a firm such as A&O is that your

What are you doing in your curent seat? EU & Competition Law Team, based in Brussels. I am currently working on a large competition investigation researching EU environmental policy, in particular the integration of the aviation sector into the EU Emissions Trading

i knew i wanted to work alongside hard working and talented people, and apply myself to challenging work.

’

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are there any downsides? I like the fact I am required to learn about not just the law, but a variety of industries and sectors. The work is serious and important to the client, and thus I like the feeling of having a lot of responsibility. I like that law evolves and can never be fully mastered. In my current seat the interaction between law, economics, and politics is very apparent and fascinating.

The downside is thinking of the training contract as a two year interview - which I try not to do.

What strengths do you think you need to succeed? Drive, diligence, intelligence, and clarity of thought. Organisational skills.

Interpersonal skills. Finally, a robust personality.

What advice would you give graduates considering Law as a career? Get as much practical experience as you can of the industry e.g. pro-bono, vacation schemes, work experience. Pick the firm that is right for you, which is why vacation schemes are all the more valuable.

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Be involved !OSTA "EIJING "ERLIN "IRMINGHAM "RUSSELS (ONG +ONG ,EEDS ,ONDON -ADRID -ANCHESTER -ILAN -UNICH Paris. One of six challenging seats. International transactional work and great use of my french law qualification. Total involvement – every day.

Hammonds’ commitment to corporate social responsibility provides the opportunity and platform for my role as Chair of the Birmingham Trainee Solicitors’ Society.

JENNA CARR | LAWYER | MANCHESTER

HARJINDER SAMRA | LAWYER | BIRMINGHAM

0ARIS 2OME 4URIN

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

Katie Mitchell Age: 24 Degree and university: Law, 2:1, Newcastle University, LPC: Sheffield University Work title: Solicitor, Mills & Reeve Why did you decide on a career in law? I studied languages at A-Level and did not enjoy the courses. I wanted to choose a degree that allowed me to keep my options open, and law was suggested as a gateway into more careers than just becoming a solicitor or a barrister. I enjoyed my degree and the variety of subjects covered and I decided to continue with a career in law, and to become a solicitor. Even having made this decision I knew that there were many different types of law that I could qualify into, and each one could offer something different.

What did the application process involve? The application processes for the law degree and the LPC were fairly straightforward. The application procedure to gain a training contract was more arduous and daunting. I got my training contract at Mills & Reeve through the paper application, which is now online, followed by an interview day. Many trainees gain their training contract after completing a vacation scheme, and I would recommend this process as it allows you to experience what it is like to work in a particular firm.

What do you actually do? I have very recently started my third seat in the projects department. Basically, the team work on large projects such as the development of new hospitals, student accommodation, and schools. In this department it can be difficult to take on large amounts of responsibility due to the size and complexity of the projects.

Commercial property was my last seat, and despite many trainees’ perceptions of this area of law, I would recommend this department. With supervision, I was able to take on and manage my own files which involved more responsibility but was much more rewarding. I found that by applying logic and common sense with a bit of property knowledge you can be a valued member of the team.

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are there any downsides? I find that the best part of this job is having the opportunity to use your brain. It is a very rewarding feeling when you are able to apply your knowledge to a real transaction or deal. I also really enjoy working with the staff from Mills & Reeve. As trainees we move departments every four months which can be daunting having to get to know new people, and new ways of working, but the fee earners are friendly, down-to-earth people.

As with most jobs there are downsides such as having to work late on short notice, but your efforts are always appreciated. As a trainee your workload is dictated by the other members of the team and sometimes this means that you can have a quiet day followed by a very busy day, and it can be difficult to predict what you will be doing the following day. Having said that some people find that this is a benefit to the job.

What strengths do you need in order to succeed at law? Once you start work you realise that understanding your area of law is taken as a given in this career, and you are expected to use that alongside many other attributes. To name but a few, you will need strengths such as attention to detail, strong communication skills, an understanding of clients’ commercial needs, and assertiveness.

What advice would you give graduates coming into the law sector? Make sure that you know what processes you are required to go through before embarking on lengthy and expensive courses. Obtaining a training contract is not as easy as it may seem.

‘

being one of only four solicitors in the department means i have an integral role to play in the work undertaken.

’

worth individual clients, whether on their personal or business matters.

What did the application process involve?

The first stage was an online application.

The second stage was a written test and a first-round interview with one partner.

This gave me a chance to show my knowledge and interest in the firm and its work, as well as an opportunity to discuss my social interests and activities. The final stage of the process was a second-round interview before two partners. The presentation provided a good opportunity to demonstrate my verbal skills, particularly in subsequent questioning from the interviewers. Both interviews provided ample opportunity to ask questions about the firm, from the training provided at Withers, to the social events organised by the firm. After the second round interview, a current trainee showed me around the London office, and was happy to answer any other questions I had about the firm. Withers continued to make me feel welcome at each visit to the office, and this made a lasting impression when choosing my training contract.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I am currently sat in the small but specialised property litigation team.

I work on a wide range of property disputes, including landlord and tenant disputes, enfranchisement claims, failed property sales, defective building works, and boundary disputes. Being one of only four solicitors in the department means that I have an integral role to play in the work undertaken, and meet/speak with clients on a regular basis. I also draft letters and court applications on a daily basis, as well as attending court hearings.

Richard Hinwood Age: 23 Degree and University: Oxford Jurisprudence LPC: Cardiff Work Title: Trainee, Withers Why did you decide to study law? I wanted a career that would be both stimulating and challenging. Working at Withers provides me with ample opportunity to advise and problem solve for high net

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I like the high level of responsibility and client contact. I spend a significant amount of time doing fee earning work on files, rather than photocopying and filing. I have great work colleagues. Withers is a firm full of genuine and approachable people, from the support staff to the partners.

Withers also has a true open door policy that makes it easy to approach people to ask for advice whenever needed. I also like the training. We are encouraged to go on training courses including presentation and drafting skills, and we also have the opportunity to attend language classes.

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all change | law changes

all change The training to become a solicitor or barrister is changing. Real World looks at the most important developments.

By Hannah Davies

SOLICITORS LPC The LPC, the vocational training stage of becoming a solicitor, is changing. In essence, course providers will have more freedom to tailor their training to particular areas of law and to students’ interests. There will also be important structural developments.

The LPC is currently a one-year course, with participants taking various compulsory modules in stage one, and three elective vocational subjects during stage two. Under the new system, students will be able to skip straight to the training contract after the first stage of the LPC, and take stage two at a law firm, or with a different law school. This means that future solicitors can spread the cost of their training. The changes will be in place from September 2010; there are currently no plans to make it compulsory for students to split the LPC year.

For details, see the Solicitors Regulation Authority website: www.sra.org.uk

expected to be in place starting from September 2010.

Pupillage Currently, students who

Training contracts Around 6,000 future solicitors enter training contracts each year, according to the Law Society. That sounds promising, but don’t be fooled: competition for training contracts is fierce, and approximately 2,500 would-be lawyers fail to secure a place by the time they finish the LPC. Help may be at hand in the form of Work Based Learning, a new scheme from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The scheme will allow LPC graduates without a training contract to work towards qualification as a solicitor. Those on the scheme would work as Paralegals at participating law firms, but would also participate in a structured training programme. The pilot starts in September 2008, and if successful, will be rolled out across England and Wales in 2011.

BARRISTERS BVC The Bar Standards Board is conducting a review of the BVC, including entry requirements, course content, and cost. This should be completed by summer 2008. Any changes are

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complete the BVC are ‘called to the Bar’, that is, qualify as a barrister. However, in order to practise as a barrister, BVC graduates still have to complete a one-year pupillage. The Bar Standards Board had planned to defer the stage at which BVC graduates are called to the Bar until after pupillage, starting from September 2008. This has not, in fact, come into force, due to objections from many within the legal profession.

At the time of going to press, no final decision had been made.

For details, see the Bar Standards Board website: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk n

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

‘

first day and Mark, my boss, gave me the details of a potential complaint. He asked me to draft the complaint and to let me know if I needed any help. I finished the week and he offered me a job!

Caroline Parks

Can you describe what you actually do? Most of my work is general commercial with IT/IP aspects and is overseen by the senior lawyers. I handled a lot of our clients’ domain name complaints initially. More recently, I’ve looked after website design and hosting contracts, exclusive distribution agreements, R&D agreements, outsourcing agreements, and I’m now starting to have a hand in some of our contentious matters.

as my boss told me on my first day of work experience “the devil is in the detail”. all aspects of work must be thoroughly considered.

’

Age: 25 University and degree subject: University of Manchester, BA Geography.

Job title: Real Estate Team, Eversheds Why did you decide upon a career in law?

I felt that my key skills were suited to a career in law as I am organised, hard working, driven and pro-active. I enjoy being challenged and I want to have a profession but also be part of an active, thriving business. I thought that the opportunities to push myself within law were limitless. The career also appealed to me as it is orientated around the business world and the economic climate and I really wanted to be involved in this kind of environment.

What did the application process involve?

Following an online application to my firm, I then had an initial interview in the second year of my geography degree to gain a place on the vacation scheme that was being held during the summer. Having been successful with this and being granted a place on the vacation scheme, I spent two weeks at Eversheds, the first week based in the corporate team, and the second in property.

This two-week process was very useful as it gave me a real feel for the type of firm that Eversheds was and also an insight into my career potential. During the two weeks we undertook a negotiation exercise, a pitch, mock court room scenarios cross examining a witness, networking with lawyers within the firm, and also gaining hands on experience within the departments.

Following these two weeks I was then invited to Eversheds in September to formally be offered my position as a trainee. This was a key moment in my career and I vividly remember being handed a glass of champagne and a contract and not looking back from then on. The next three years involved Christmas and summer socials and keeping in touch with the firm in preparation for my training contact that was to begin three years later.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I am currently based in the Real Estate Development Team in the Manchester office. I am involved in large scale developments across the country in residential, commercial, public and private

sectors. I have been lucky enough to draft various key documents, participate in client meetings, learn about pitches, manage my own files, and also be involved in the marketing and networking side of the team.

The firm has given me the responsibility to drive matters forward, but has also given me the supervision and motivation necessary to stop me feeling out of my depth.

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I like the atmosphere. I know ‘being a team’ is a cliché but we really are - I can always rely on my colleagues if I need advice or a hand in one of my matters. Plus, they’re a diverse bunch which makes for a really interesting and exciting group. On the work side it’s enriching. Shipley’s constantly raise the bar, always ensuring I develop. I don’t think there are any downsides - I’m very happy here.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Life as a trainee solicitor is definitely not dull!

Every day presents new challenges and the learning curve throughout your training contract is very steep. Meeting the clients and seeing the whole picture from start to finish is very rewarding, and the market awareness and general business acumen you obtain is very useful.

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates considering a career in law?

Primarily I would say ‘think ahead and be one step ahead of the game.’ I managed to secure my job three years in advance and in doing so received very generous financial maintenance from Eversheds, and the firm also paid all the fees for my two legal courses.

Generally, all the larger firms will be recruiting two years in advance. In addition to this be prepared to work hard as the competition for the jobs is steep, and the pressure once you get there doesn’t stop!

Mark Corran Age: 25 Degree and university: Undergraduate law at Sheffield University, Master’s in International Business Law at Liverpool University. Currently doing the LPC at John Moores University.

Job title: Adviser, Shipley Solicitors Why did you decide on a career in law? I didn’t, it was an accident. I’d decided I never wanted to practice because of the hours you were expected to work - I didn’t want to work for someone who would work me to death.

What did the application process involve? A week’s work experience. I turned up on my

What skills do you think you need to make a success of Law? As my boss told me on my first day of work experience, ‘the devil’s in the detail’ - I think that a crucial skill is ensuring that every single aspect of any piece of work, even the most minor, is thoroughly considered. Related to this, I believe finding original points of view is essential. If you try to consider each and every angle, then you’ll find novel perspectives which you can then turn to your client’s advantage. Finally, in my mind, the most important skill is to find ways of delivering more than your client expects - most of our clients require legal advice; I look to give them business advice, providing ways for them to use the law to their best advantage.

What advice would you give to graduates wishing to enter the Law sector? Consider what you want from life and whether a career in law will help you to get there.

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

attention to detail. Good skills to have are the ability to remain calm and focused when you are under pressure.

What advice would you give graduates coming into the sector? Undertake as much work experience as possible within different areas of the legal sector to get an idea of which you will be best suited to - I did two mini-pupillages before deciding that the Bar was not for me.

Adedayo Ajibade Age: 29 Degree and university: University of Leeds, Chinese and Japanese Studies (First, with a distinction in spoken Chinese) GDL & LPC: BPP Law School, London

Briony Worthing Age: 23 Degree and university: University of Manchester, Law Title: Trainee Solicitor, Lovells LLP What do you actually do? I am halfway through a two-year training contract with Lovells LLP, an international business law firm. Completing the two years will enable me to qualify as a solicitor. To date I have spent time in the Real Estate, Financial Institutions, and Litigation departments, and the work has varied considerably between them. However, typical trainee tasks include undertaking legal and financial research, attending and taking notes at client meetings, and producing first drafts of advice letters and legal documents.

Why did you decide to go into law? At school I enjoyed logical subjects involving problem solving and the law seemed a natural choice.

How did you find out about your course? I reviewed various league tables and the Manchester law school had an excellent reputation. I was particularly impressed by the wide range of legal modules available to students.

Would you undertake further training to enhance your career? Yes, if it fitted in with my career progression. I have already undertaken the Legal Practice Course (LPC) following my degree. All prospective solicitors are required to complete this to receive training in some of the more practical skills required.

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I like working on high profile matters as part of a large supportive team. But life as a trainee does occasionally involve low level tasks such as proof reading and photocopying.

What skills do you need to succeed at what you do? You need the ability to constantly re-prioritise work and you have to pay

Why did you decide on a career in law? I chose a career in law because, having done languages to degree level, I wanted to be in a profession which could be as international as possible. I did investigate the other City professions, but with my background in languages it just made more sense to play to my strengths and do something where the use of language, not numbers, was the most important thing.

What did the application process involve?

When I joined, the application process for a training contract involved an online application and then interviews at the firm one with a managing associate and then one with a partner. That has changed a bit now - there is a critical reasoning test and a first interview with a managing associate, followed by a case study that forms about 20 minutes of the second interview with a partner. All candidates get a half an hour to prepare for the case study before the partner interview.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I have just come to the end of a

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‘

go to as many open evenings as you can to get a feel for the type of people each law firm hires (although it may not seem like it from the literature, each firm does have a general type).

’

seat in the Investment Management Group which does a lot of work relating to the setting up and listing of funds, and also advising clients on investments into funds. A large part of my time in the seat saw me being involved in the setting up of a fund to invest in Indian real estate. The transaction was a good mix of both technical drafting to reflect the commercial intent, and legal advisory work to make sure the transaction didn’t fall foul of any regulatory hurdles.

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are thee any downsides? The most enjoyable thing about the job is the constant challenge. This is especially so at the moment as the credit crunch forces people to look at new markets in which to expand, or new deal types to exploit.

The work is challenging so sometimes the hours can be challenging as well. However, you will constantly be mentally stimulated, and at the end of day, you’ll never be asked to stay late for no reason.

What skills do you need to succeed? A good eye for detail; the ability to look at the wider transaction, not just the document you are drafting at the time; communication skills, and when it gets busy, stamina!

What advice would you give graduates wishing to come into this sector? Definitely go to as many open evenings as you can to get a feel for the type of people that each law firm hires (although it may not seem like it from the literature, each firm does have a general type). There’s nothing worse than working late in the office with people you dislike, because then the hours go by a lot more slowly.

Don’t choose a career as a City solicitor if you think that it will be an easy ride. The clients can be demanding and there will be times where you are personally under pressure to deliver results. Do choose a career as a City solicitor if, despite all that, you’re still game and up for the challenge - there are few professions which will give you an intellectual work-out like this one will.

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

Valerie Woodford Age: 23 Degree and university: Balliol College, Oxford, and studied the LPC 2006/2007 at BPP, London.

Work Title: Trainee - Project Finance, Lovells What do you actually do? I share an office with my supervisor, who provides me with work on a daily basis and helps me to manage my workload when other associates ask for trainee assistance.

I have primarily been involved with the legal side of financing large infrastructure projects.

I have seen two deals close in my first couple of weeks; I had the opportunity to become involved with last minute amendments to documents, the signing process, and post-close activities.

I have carried out company searches and due diligence to find out more information about companies and assets being bought. I have also been asked to draft board minutes and several clauses in agreements, and have had feedback from my supervisor at each stage. Other work so far has included commercial and legal research, and sending documents to clients.

Why did you decide to go into law? Law gives me an opportunity to be in a commercial environment, where solutions have to be legally viable but also commercially efficient.

I enjoy client contact and problem solving, and wanted a challenging career that would be interesting and varied.

How did you find out about this particular position? I started my law degree thinking that I might like to go to the Bar. After completing a mini-pupilage and two vacation schemes (one at Lovells), I realised that I wanted to pursue a career at a corporate law firm instead.

Would you undertake further study to enhance your career? Absolutely - Lovells offers a comprehensive training programme, and I understand that there is an opportunity to study for an MBA in the evenings.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I really enjoy client

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contact, and the opportunity to be part of a transaction team. The people I work with are very approachable, and I feel very comfortable asking questions if I need to, or asking to become involved in different types of work. The projects all involve tangible assets, and I find it more interesting to be thinking about financing a school/hospital/ motorway, rather than general banking.

Although ‘project finance’ is in the finance stream at Lovells, it involves a huge amount of corporate work - I feel like I am getting the best of both! In addition to the client work that I have experienced since starting at Lovells, there has been lots of scope to become involved with business development activities.

I have even represented my own client in court on a pro-bono basis, and am encouraged by the work-life balance I can see in the department.

Trainees are an important part of the team, but there are some less stimulating jobs that will pass your desk. However, the ‘process’ jobs will give you a better understanding of the project, and that will make you feel more competent in general. If you can do the important but less interesting work well, the people you work with will feel more confident in giving you challenging tasks in the future.

What strengths do you need to succeed?

Confidence when communicating with colleagues and clients; an interest in business and the type of work involved at a City law firm; an eagerness to take on more responsibility and to be pro-active, and attention to detail.

‘

if you can do the important but less interesting work well, the people you work with will feel more confident in giving you challenging tasks in the future.

Sara Kingdon

’

Age: 24 University: Cardiff University Degree: LLB in Law and German from Cardiff University (2:1) and LLM in German Law from the University of Trier, Germany (Cum Laude).

Undertook the Legal Practice Course at The Centre For Professional Legal Studies at Cardiff Law School.

Job Title: Trainee, Eversheds Why did you decide on a career in law?

I decided on a career in law after undertaking various legal work experience placements

and attending several law fairs and careers talks to get a better insight into the legal profession and what working as a solicitor would involve. I found the work to be interesting, challenging and rewarding exactly the kind of characteristics I was looking for in my future career, and the chance to work directly with clients also appealed to me as I have always welcomed the opportunity to meet new people.

What did the application process involve?

I applied directly for a training contract at Eversheds via an online application form and was then invited to attend an assessment day at the Cardiff office. This involved a variety of tasks including an in-tray exercise, an interview and business analysis exercises with the opportunity to sit with a trainee for the rest of the afternoon. I also had to complete some online psychometric testing prior to the assessment day to test my numerical and verbal reasoning skills.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? At the moment I am working in our Legal Systems Group as part of the Complex Title Rectification and Professional Negligence Team. Our clients are mainly mortgage lenders and other financial institutions and I have experienced a wide range of contentious matters including general title rectification, subsidence, nuisance, and insurance cases to name but a few. There has been plenty of direct client contact, as well as the opportunity to attend court, draft witness statements, and prepare instructions to counsel along with other more general litigation tasks.

What do you enjoy most about your job and are there any downsides? Part of Eversheds’ vision is to be a great place to work and in my experience this is certainly the case. Even as a trainee you get the opportunity to have direct contact with clients and there is a real hands on approach to your training. The quality and range of work is first-class and as everyone is friendly and approachable all aspects of training are enjoyable. You also get as much responsibility as you feel comfortable with, but help is always at hand if you feel you need it.

»

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becoming a lawyer | case studies

Marsha Thompson Age: 28 Degree and university: BA (Hons) in Law and French. This was a joint major course during which I spent the third year studying French Law and French at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in Lyon, France.

Job Title: Trainee, Martin Searle Solicitors

Why did you decide on a career in law? One of my earliest childhood memories was watching the US based legal drama ‘LA Law’.

At a very young age I became fascinated by the legal issues and arguments that arose. As I matured, I began to realise that this glamorous portrayal of the legal industry was not an accurate reflection of the legal system.

My interest in the law continued to develop and whilst at secondary school I attended a careers workshop run by local solicitors. I was able to increase my knowledge and awareness of the industry. I also made enquiries as to how I could pursue a career in the legal field.

After my degree I worked as an advisor at an advice centre and also did clerking at a criminal law firm prior to commencing the LPC. Once I completed the LPC, I worked as a paralegal for a clinical negligence and personal injury firm before joining Martin Searle Solicitors in January 2007.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I have recently completed my final training seat in the employment department. I assist the Head of Employment on a range of contentious and noncontentious issues. I frequently deal with unfair dismissal and race/age/disability discrimination cases, and we act for both employer and employee clients.

What do you most enjoy about your job and are there any downsides? The aspect I enjoy the most about my job is interacting with clients on a day-to-day basis. I also get great job satisfaction especially when I have been involved in the successful outcome of a case.

The only downside to my job is that on rare occasions I have to deal with difficult clients.

However, this comes with experience and makes the job more challenging.

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What skills do you need to be a successful solicitor? A successful solicitor needs to be organised, personable and have excellent oral and written communication skills. A solicitor also needs to pay great attention to detail, and have a good sense of commercial awareness.

What advice would you give graduates wishing to have a career in Law? You will need to think very carefully about whether this is what you really want to do. The route to becoming a solicitor is very difficult, expensive, and should not be entered into lightly. I would also urge graduates to obtain as much information as possible to enable them to make an informed decision as to whether they want to pursue a career in law.

Once the decision has been made, I would advise graduates never to give up, and not to stop until your goals have been achieved.

Is there anything you would like to add? Good luck to all those searching for training contracts. It can take a very long time but if you are determined, motivated and persevere, you will get there in the end. Get whatever work experience you can while waiting for a training contract. Also, it is very important to ensure that your application is tailored to the firm to which you are applying.

Three-quarters of applications for the training contract I got were irrelevant to the firm.

‘

the route to becoming a solicitor is very difficult and expensive, and should not be entered into lightly.

’

Victoria Sugden

Age: 24 years old Degree and university: Law at Durham University. LPC at Nottingham Law School.

Job Title: Trainee EC/Competition, CMS Cameron McKenna Why did you decide on a career in law?

Having done various work experience placements at a young age, including shadowing a criminal barrister, I was confident that a career in law would give me both the variety of work and intellectual stimulation that I needed. During the summer holidays of my second year at university, I undertook four vacation placements, which gave me the chance to gain an insight into the daily workings of different departments and different law firms. During this time I realised that a career in a City law firm would

give me the interaction with people I wanted, and varied career opportunities.

What did the application process involve? I obtained my training contract with Cameron’s after my second year at university. Initially I did lots of research into the firm before I sent off my online application form, and completed an online verbal reasoning test. I was then invited down to London to attend an assessment day at the offices. This involved a presentation, interview and analysis exercise in the morning, and then I was invited to stay on for a group exercise, and a partner interview in the afternoon. Although the day was tiring, the tasks enabled us to demonstrate a variety of skill sets.

What type of work are you doing in your curent seat? I am currently sat in EC/ Competition. It is quite a niche area of the law, but I have been able to get a mixture of different matters including cartel cases, procurement, EC mergers, and State Aid issues. My work over the last few months has involved a lot of research and usually involves me scouring several competition authorities’ websites on a daily basis to keep up with the developing case law, not only in the UK, but also throughout Europe.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to get involved in lots of different cases; it makes my days exciting and varied. In Competition I have enjoyed being given tasks and having to research various different sources in order to find a solution to a problem. I am also grateful to be working with some of the greatest experts in the legal field and learning from their experience.

What skills do you think you need to succeed? There are lots of skills people can develop during their career in law, including the ability to be diplomatic, confident, supportive, and approachable. Also it helps if you don’t take yourself too seriously and understand that your training contract will be a steep learning curve. Start applying for vacation placements as soon as possible. n

barristers | introduction

raising the bar

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What do barristers do apart from stride around looking angry? Real World takes a look at what’s beneath the wig. By Hannah Davies

etting paid to row with strangers: that is one way to describe a barrister’s work. Traditionally, barristers deal with courtroom advocacy – that is, arguing their client’s case in front of a judge. Barristers act on the instructions of solicitors, who occupy a more client-facing, advisory role. However, the number of disputes that make it to trial has been falling for several years.

What’s more, there has been an increase in ‘solicitor advocates’, and some barristers have been taking on advisory roles in an effort to diversify. The boundary between the two areas is therefore becoming blurred, but it’s not quite time for barristers to hang up their wigs: advocacy, whether in person or on paper, is still the mainstay of the profession.

Photography: Yang Ou

Working life The majority of barristers are self-employed, working out of shared offices known as ‘chambers’ or ‘sets’. Once a junior barrister has completed pupillage (see Becoming A Lawyer on page 6), the next step is to secure a place, or ‘tenancy’, at chambers. Despite the freedom of self-employment, the hours are usually long and antisocial, particularly for those just starting

Competition Blame Judge John Deed, or maybe Cherie Blair, or perhaps there are lots of wig fetishists out there; whatever the reason, the Bar is an extremely popular destination for graduates. If you want to become a barrister, you will need a great deal of determination. A recent report in The Lawyer revealed that the number of Bar Vocational Course (BVC) graduates offered pupillage has dropped by 20 per cent since 2000.

This is owing to a 32 per cent increase in the number of students taking the BVC. Even when a junior barrister does secure pupillage, the competition does not stop there.

Tenancies at the top chambers are fiercely contested. Some junior barristers find themselves extending the term of their pupillage – taking a ‘third six’ – as they have struggled to find a place in chambers.

Getting in To be in with a chance, you need strong academic qualifications: the minimum requirement is a 2.2 in any subject, but many chambers expect a 2.1. Yet your degree

out. Most barristers specialise in a particular legal area, such as tax or crime, and build their practice around this. Employed

classification alone is not enough to make you stand out from the crowd. Mini-pupillages – short periods of work

barristers work for private firms or for public institutions such as the Crown Prosecution Service.

experience in chambers – are an excellent way of strengthening your CV. These usually involve shadowing a

The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers. In addition, all barristers are members of one of the four Inns of Court: Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple, and Lincoln’s Inn. The Inns, based in Central London, are responsible for ‘calling’ barristers to the Bar, and are a source of socialising and training. However, this does not mean that you’re limited to the Capital. Almost a third of barristers, and half of all chambers, are based outside London, according to Bar Council figures.

Junior barristers in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds spend far less of their hard-earned money on general living costs, such as rent and travel, than those in the Capital.

Being a barrister is seen as a highly lucrative profession, but income depends on various factors. At the extreme, Queen’s Counsel (QC), the very top barristers, can earn in excess of £1 million a year, while junior practitioners at leading commercial chambers might take home £80,000 plus. Yet those who specialise in publicly funded areas such as family or crime can expect considerably less.

barrister, and will give you an unparalleled insight into the profession. You should also consider getting involved with your student debating society to demonstrate your public speaking skills. n www.barcouncil.org.uk

•N umber of students called to the Bar: 1,776 (51per cent male, 49 per cent female) • Number of practising barristers: 15, 030 (66 per cent male, 34 per cent female; 11.3 per cent ethnic minority) • Self-employed barristers: 12, 058 • Employed barristers: 2,972 • Geographic spread of chambers: 330 in London, 313 outside London • Main hubs for chambers outside London: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester Figures from the Bar Council, December 2007

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working for the public good

If working in the law sector while doing something tangible for your country appeals, then the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), or Government Legal Service (GLS), could be for you.

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working for the public good | cps

crown prosecution service It is the main prosecuting authority in England and Wales and works in partnership with other agencies such as the police and courts reviewing criminal cases in order to see whether there is a realistic chance for a conviction to be made on the basis of the evidence available. It advises the police during the early stages of the investigation, prepares cases for court, and presents those cases at court.

Ken Macdonald QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, says: ‘We are the biggest law firm in the country and we are increasingly designed to deliver justice to the community. I want a world-class prosecuting service at the heart of the criminal justice system helping to build a fairer and more decent society – a public prosecution service, respected and valued in those terms. This can only be achieved with the help, support and commitment of our staff.’ working for the cPS There are three main roles within the CPS: Prosecutors (lawyers) who review and prosecute criminal cases as well as undertaking advice work, case building and advocacy; CPS Case Workers who assist the prosecutors with their casework by attending court and liaising with witnesses and other organisations within the criminal justice system; Administrators who work within all the different departments of the CPS including Finance, Learning and Development, and HR.

training: LAW SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME Once employed by the CPS you can apply for the Law Scholarship Scheme, which offers a clear development route from Administrator through to Crown Prosecutor, and pays fees for the Professional Skills Course (PSC) for trainee solicitors.

For pupils it pays for the advocacy, forensic accounting, and advice to counsel courses, as well as travelling costs. Study can be part-time or distance learning, so you can still work while you learn.

If you’d like to ‘try before you buy’, work experience, mini-pupillages and job shadowing opportunities are available for prospective trainees. For details contact your local CPS office for details.

government legal service

TRAINING: LEGAL TRAINING SCHEME Training and professional development are both encouraged within the CPS, with the Law Society accrediting courses for lawyers. The Legal Trainee Scheme includes both pupillages, which last for one year, and training contracts, which last for two years. However, if you have relevant prior experience you

The Government Legal Service (GLS) has very close links with the CPS, as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Its only client is the British Government and virtually all UK regulations are the work of the GLS. It employs around 1,900 lawyers and trainees who advise government ministers on matters as diverse as education, tax, human rights, industry, and finance. The GLS litigates in all UK courts, as well as in the

may be able to apply for a reduction in your training period.

Because the CPS only deals in criminal litigation and trainee

European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

solicitors are required to gain experience in three areas of the law, they must undertake one or more secondments in private

TRAINING

practise outside CPS. However, pupils can serve the full 12

CPS: THE NUMBERS

The CPS was created by the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

months with the CPS, but are encouraged to spend a month of the first six in chambers. They then spend their last six months working as prosecutors in the magistrates’ courts. If you successfully complete your training contract or pupillage you will be offered a post as a prosecutor. The starting salary for trainees is £18,425 and is then reviewed annually. For more information about the Legal Training Scheme contact legal. trainees@cps.gsi.gov.uk

The CPS employs around 8,775 staff.

2,500 staff are lawyers.

30 per cent of employees are qualified prosecutors and more than 94 per cent of staff are engaged in frontline prosecutions.

Every year the CPS deals with more than 1.3 million cases in the magistrates’ courts.

Every year the CPS deals with about 115,000 in the Crown Court.

The CPS has three headquarters based in London, York, and Birmingham.

The GLS offers both training contracts, which last for two years, and pupillages, which last for a year. Annually, about 25 places are offered and you’ll need an upper second-class degree to be considered. Although your degree doesn’t need to be in law, you will need strong analytical and interpersonal skills. Non-law graduates have to complete the Common Professional Examination (CPE) and funding may be available for this. Trainee solicitors spend six months in four different seats over the two-year period before qualifying, while pupils divide their one-year pupillage between the GLS and chambers. The GLS pays your Legal Practice Course (LPC), or Bar Vocational Course (BVC) fees in full, as well as any other compulsory professional skills course fees and provides you with a grant of about £5,000 – £7,000 for the vocational year. Starting salaries for trainees in London are between £21,300 - £23,900, with newly qualified rates in London between £27,000 - £38,000. Please refer to the website at www.gls.gov.uk, or email glstrainees@tmpw.co.uk

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ULTIMATE LAW GUIDE Guiding tomorrow’s leading lawyers today The Ultimate Law Guide, are an organization of qualified solicitors, who trained at leading City law firms. We help would-be solicitors improve their chances of securing a training contract by using our first-hand knowledge of the training contract selection process.

Breaking into the legal profession is no mean feat, and like many other talented aspiring solicitors, we found it very challenging to secure a training contract at first. We could not find a useful source of reference for us to turn to for practical guidance at the all-important early stages of our careers. Now we have successfully entered the world of law we want to give something back by helping to inspire the next generation of lawyers to raise their aspirations, and empower students to strive to achieve their career goals. We want to help students by sharing our knowledge and experiences to make them more sufficiently informed about what is expected in order to achieve a training contract, and to then go on and enjoy a successful and rewarding legal career.

Our career guide, entitled the Ultimate Guide to Training Contract Success, assists aspiring solicitors by providing practical solutions to many of the challenges involved in trying to forge a legal career. Our Guide walks students through every aspect of the training contract recruitment process. It gives useful tips on how to write top-level application forms for the most competitive law firms, and offers an insight on what to expect as a trainee solicitor. There are chapters on

commercial awareness, networking and the questions asked at interviews and also case studies. We highly recommend that you read our Guide before you even think about applying! It will ensure you become better informed about what law firms are looking for and the legal landscape, which will increase your prospects of achieving a training contract.

We recently launched a Commercial Awareness Forum on our website www.ultimatelawguide.com in partnership with Practical Law Company (PLC). It provides students with free access to articles and podcasts on legal and business issues in order to keep abreast of commercial/legal developments during their studies, or on a gap year. This unique and innovative resource helps students (and current trainee solicitors) to understand the business of a law firm, and the environment in which law firms operate.

The Ultimate Guide to Training Contract Success costs £19.99 and is available to buy from the Ultimate Law Guide website at www.ultimatelawguide.com, and also from Amazon and leading book shops.

FREE COPIES AVAILABLE! The Ultimate Law Guide will be attending this autumn’s leading law career fairs and you can obtain a FREE copy of The Ultimate Guide to Training Contract Success by visiting their stand.

working for the public good | case studies

What skills do you believe you need to succeed? An incisive mind is essential. It’s important that you can quickly sift through information and identify the issues in any given situation. Once you have done this you then need to be able to apply the law in both practical and creative ways. You need to be flexible in your thinking, and able to see a problem from every angle. Most importantly you need to be resilient, both intellectually and physically. The law is a competitive field, and the hours of work can be very long. If you can get past that, the satisfaction after a good day’s work is worth it!

Becky Owen Age: 33 Degree and university: I initially studied Law at Brunel University, graduating in 1996. I then spent nine years in the IT Industry before attending the College of Law on a full-time basis and obtaining the Graduate Diploma in Law, and Bar Vocational Course qualifications.

Work Title: Second six pupil, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) What type of work are you currently doing? I am currently a second six pupil. This means I have a provisional practicing certificate granted by the Bar Council which enables me to exercise rights of audience. I spend three to four days a week in court, doing trials and remand lists. This can be anything from opposing bail for a defendant charged with a serious offence, to a multi-day trial for criminal damage. Although it’s a cliché, in the Crown Prosecution Service no two days are ever the same!

What do you enjoy the most about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy being an integral part of the criminal justice system. At the heart of everything I do is a person who has been the victim of crime. I put into practice the skills I learnt at an academic level, and work towards delivering justice for all victims. The sheer variety of work I do means that today I am prosecuting three defendants in the Magistrates Court for alleged criminal damage, and next week I might be preparing a case of actual bodily harm for the Crown Court. Each day is an intellectual challenge with a new set of facts to master, and a different body of law to apply them to.

The biggest downside to what I do is the pace. It really is non-stop. No sooner is one case finished than the next one begins. I can walk into Court in the morning expecting a trial to go one way, and by the end of the day it will have taken a different direction. That means I often have to think on my feet, and construct arguments and strategies to deal with the new developments quickly, and without much time to prepare.

‘

each day is an intellectual challenge with a new set of facts to master, and a different body of law to apply them to.

Shaun Round

’

Age: 25 Degree and university: LLB Law at University of Birmingham, Bar Vocational Course at Inns of Court School of Law Work Title: Pupil Barrister, CPS Why did you decide on a career in Law? I always wanted a career where I felt like I was doing something good for the community as a whole. I believed I could do this through a career in law as ‘law’ influences everything and everyone in every community throughout the United Kingdom. A career as a Barrister, I believe, allows me to really do some good by protecting the public and sticking up for those who are not always able to do so themselves.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? As a pupil barrister, my training is only for 12 months split into non-practicing and practicing periods of six months. The first six months is spent getting to grips with the work that the Crown Prosecution Service is involved with. This would involve observing charging decisions at the police station, completing case reviews in order to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed on the charges faced by the defendant, and also observing court proceedings including first appearances through to trial and even appeal. There was also opportunity in my first six months to practice my own advocacy skills in front of more senior lawyers.

The second six months is very much a learning curve, but an exciting one. Once I hit the six month mark, I was immediately put into the Magistrates’ Court to conduct court

proceedings. I initially dealt with the defendants’ first appearances before the court following charging at the police station.

This might involve dealing with the entering of pleas, deciding whether a case is more suitable for the Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court, and also whether the defendant should be released on bail or not. After a couple of weeks of this, I then progressed to dealing with traffic trials, and trials for offences which are non-imprisonable. During this time, I really learnt to sharpen my advocacy skills. My current responsibilities now include first appearances, traffic trials and also trials involving drugs offences, domestic violence, and theft which can include legal argument over admissibility of evidence. My court appearances are on top of the work I was involved with during my first six months, such as case reviews.

What do you most enjoy about your job and are there any downsides? It would definitely have to be the fact that I am in court four out of the five days a week. Being on my feet in court, arguing my case, was the reason I wanted to be a barrister and now I get to do that pretty much every day, whether it is a remand list or a trial. I also love the variety that comes with the job as every case is different, and also the responsibility that comes with it such as making decisions that could affect the way a case is conducted. I find that working in the legal profession is a continual learning experience as the law is constantly changing, particularly in the criminal sphere, which I see as a major positive; you will never get bored, which is one of my first aims when looking for a job. I also enjoy the fact that I get to be involved in some high profile cases (even if only on a very minor scale). I hope to be involved in more of these cases, when I have greater experience.

The Crown Prosecution Service is a fantastic employer, that offers great training, support and incentives to all staff. I feel that completing my pupillage with the CPS has given me a solid basis from which to build a career as a criminal barrister. I believe the opportunities afforded by the CPS, in terms of court exposure, are far more than I would have had at the independent bar. n

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converting to law Even if you’ve studied something other than law at university, that doesn’t mean you can’t train to be a lawyer. In fact, about 30 per cent of new trainees are non-law graduates who then go on to take a conversion course. If you’re considering a move into law read on to discover all about the Graduate Diploma in Law.

converting to law | the gdl

T

he Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is also known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE) and is offered by over 30 institutions in the UK. The minimum entry requirement is a 2:2, but competition for places is fierce and you may find you need a 2:1 to be considered. It’s an intensive, one-year foundation course and once completed, you then progress to either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) if you want to be a solicitor, or to the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) if you want to be a barrister. Obviously, because it is only a year long GDL does not cover all the subjects covered by a three-year degree, but it does include: • • • • • • •

law of contract law of tort criminal law equity and the law of trusts land law public law EU law

Depending on where you are studying, your course may also include other subjects.

‘

FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME? You can study for the GDL either full-time or part-time and one of the factors you should consider when deciding which to choose is the cost. Fees currently range from £3,070 to £7,450, and you should budget for a further £6,000 to £9,000 for living expenses and rent. If you know you simply cannot afford that you may like to consider the part-time route, which entails study being spread over two years, which would give you the option of working part-time in order to ‘earn as you learn’. Also, if your paid work is relevant to the law it can

of tuition. You’ll be studying for at least 45 hours a week, so you need to be dedicated and prepared to put in a lot of work. Most people take the full-time option and there are currently 4,600 full-time places on offer. You could get a

help improve your chances when applying for full-time jobs.

However, you need to be extremely disciplined in order not

Career Development Loan to help with the costs, or other possible sources of funds include a means-tested bursary from

to let your study slip.

The full-time course lasts 36 weeks, with at least 32 weeks

one of the individual Inns of Court, or getting sponsorship from a firm of solicitors as part of a recruitment package.

The full-time course lasts 36 weeks, with at least 32 weeks of tuition. you’ll be studying for at least 45 hours a week, so you’ll need to be dedicated and also prepared to put in a lot of work on your study.

’

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

However, you need to be prepared well in advance for sponsorship as most firms recruit two years ahead.

HOW TO APPLY If you think GDL is for you then take care over your application (applications for part-time courses are made via the individual institutions, for the full-time courses you must go through the Central Applications Board) for which you will have to produce a personal statement including the reasons why you have decided on a career in law, and previous experience. This is an excellent opportunity for you to really consider whether you have the stamina, determination, and drive to make a success out of a career in law. Finally, the GDL qualification is only valid for seven years, and if you haven’t gone on to do either the LPC or BVC after this time, your GDL will be invalid and you’ll have wasted all that effort and hard work.

For more information on where you can study for the GDL go to the Law Society’s website at www.lawsociety.org.uk n

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joining the paras

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paralegals | introduction

Getting into law can be a hard, financially punitive, slog. However, there is an alternative to training to become a solicitor or barrister. You could join the growing band of paralegals, whose position within the legal profession is becoming increasingly important.

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

A

lthough they are not fullyqualified solicitors or barristers, you will find paralegals working in law firms as well as many other institutions. Their expertise makes them invaluable to civil and criminal courts, to the public sector including Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the NHS, and to charities, trade unions, and commercial companies. They can take over surprisingly large parts of a lawyer’s workload including interviewing clients and witnesses, attending court, doing research, and preparing legal documents. In fact, the more experienced paralegals in law firms may do everything a solicitor does.

There are now 500,000 paralegals in the UK, as opposed to 132,000 solicitors and barristers, and according to James O’Connell, Chief Executive of the Institute of Paralegals, that figure is set to explode. ‘Paralegal is like the twenty-first

Para Positives According to O’Connell this is a great option to choose if you are looking for a less pressurised option where you don’t have to work ludicrous hours. It’s also great for LPC (Legal Practise Course) graduates who haven’t managed to get a training contract, and want to get a year’s worth of experience before retrying for a contract. In fact, many law firms are looking for permanent paralegals with the incentive of a training contract dangling in front of LPC graduates.

‘Being a paralegal can be a job for life, but it can also be a stepping stone to becoming a lawyer,’ he explains. ‘Also, this career gives you amazing transportable skills that will get you jobs in loads of other sectors.’

In order to succeed in this fast growing sector you need to be accurate, you need to be clear thinking, you need to be literate, you also need to have good social skills, and have a

century’s great stealth profession,’ he states. ‘This is an emerging profession and we’re going from being just junior

professional approach. A good business brain helps too.

Although paralegals do not earn as much as lawyers this is

employees in a law firm, to becoming a distinct role and career. Because we are in a transition stage nothing is set in

still a lucrative career. A recent salary survey by Hayes found graduates entering the profession in London could expect to

stone, however the paralegal profession is forming rapidly due to socio-economic pressures.’

In the UK, a lot of solicitors’ hourly charge-out rates have got so high (over £400 an hour) many people are just not prepared to pay any more. By getting some of the work done by a more junior employee law firms can charge less for his or her time. ‘Hard economics are forcing law firms to delegate ever more work downwards,’ explains O’Connell.

‘Also, handling cases can be broken down into distinct jobs many of which can be dealt with by paralegals. Another reason is regulatory; the Legal Services Act, the solicitors training framework review, and the reform of Legal Aid, are all pushing towards increased use of paralegals. The other reason is because these days we end up interacting with the law all the time – parking fines, employment tribunals – we are overwhelmed by law, especially if you are a business, and so it makes economic sense to use an inhouse paralegal rather than an outside consultant.’

earn between £20,000 and £23,000, rising up to £40,000 in a few years. ‘You could rise to the level of Associate Director, or even run your own legal practise as a paralegal. At that kind of level you can earn £90,000 a year,’ says O’Connell.

There are now a variety of specific qualifications available for paralegals and O’Connell says the key to a successful career in the sector is to just get your foot in the door. ‘Graduates will find they have to apply to a lot of firms. We suggest graduates should try approaching the legal departments of big firms in their local area. Our research shows that most PLCs have at least five paralegals working in their legal departments. Go and work for CPS, benefits fraud teams at the local council, or at the NHS doing litigation claims. Many people find these alternative employees pay better and give better training than the law firms do. There are half a million paralegals in the UK and nine out of 10 don’t actually work in law firms.’ n www.instituteofparalegals.org

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sardines salmon

Quality is clearly defined in everything we do. Whether it's the journey to work, the calibre of our clients or the opportunities we offer our graduates.

But we don't like to brag, so we'll leave that up to someone else: "The firm has managed to win work that other national rivals would kill for‌ with client wins such as EMI Group, Reuters and Coca Cola HBC, Burges Salmon has quietly built the elite firm outside London" LAWYER AWARDS. "Work on deals of all sizes and complexity is praised as 'impeccable' by a client base that appreciates the firm's blend of technical excellence and commercial nous" LEGAL 500.

For further information, please contact our trainee solicitor recruitment team on 0117 902 7797.

www.sardinessalmon.com

paralegals | case studies

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? In all honesty the best thing about my job is I’m doing what I love. Going to work is not a chore and I enjoy every minute even the ups and downs. I absolutely love the fact that every day is different, whether it’s in the office advising clients on the phone, out visiting clients, or attending tribunal. You could never say that this job is a nine-to-five desk role. I work with a fantastic bunch of people and they make the job so enjoyable each day just disappears.

Clare Louise Carter Age: 23 Degree and university: Studied at the University of Glamorgan, Law LLB (HONS) full-time and also the LPC. Job Title: I am currently an Employment Law Legal Advisor for MJL Business Support.

Why did you decide on a career in law? My Secondary School focused on Performing Arts so many of my friends went into that field as that’s all we knew. I loved my art, music and drama, but it just did not seem enough to build a career out of. I had never studied law and my Secondary School did not offer law at GCSE or A Level, so in all honesty I had no idea if I would like it or if I’d be good at it.

I knew that law would be hard work and a challenge, but the glossy prospectus pages detailing the elements of a qualifying law degree pulled me in, and I was set.

All I knew was a career in law would not be repetitive, and it would keep my mind young.

What skills do you think you need to make a success of what you do? I would say one of the most important skills that you need is determination. It’s a competitive world and you will find times when you just don’t seem to be getting interviews, and my advice is to carry on. If you have a true drive and passion for law no one can stop you doing what you love.

Once you get a job in the legal field you need to master the skill of listening. You need to have the ability to sit and detail everything your client is telling you so that you can provide the best service to that person, without allowing your personal feelings to get in the way.

What advice would you give candidates wishing to enter the law sector? The best piece of advice for anyone considering a career in law is not to underestimate the value of any work experience you can gather. Many companies provide unpaid placements which can be the tool to make you shine above all the other candidates.

A career in law means you never stop learning and it’s constantly changing, so you need to be prepared for ups and downs.

What did the application process involve? The application process for MJL Business Support involved a written application, consisting of my current CV and covering letter. I was then invited to attend an interview, where I met the Head of Department and two other Legal Advisors. I answered numerous questions ranging from my past experience, through to my studies, and how I would advise on certain situations. I was then invited to spend half a day in the role to see how I was in a practical situation, and how my skills shone in a working environment.

Can you describe what you actually do? I work for a HR and Health and Safety consultancy. My role within the company is as an Employment Legal Advisor. On a daily basis I advise companies on employment law issues ranging from contract queries to responses to ET1’s they have received. Our clients range from small local businesses, to huge franchises such as Domino’s pizza, and they can be anywhere in the country.

My daily routine is never the same; it can range from visiting clients to go through contracts, or I advise on issues face to face, or even attending tribunals representing respondents in Employment Tribunal Claims.

Jennifer Choi Age: 22 Degree and university: College of Law, Chester, Law LLB (2:1) Job Title: Insurance Assistant Legal Advisor, DWF Why did you decide upon a career in law?

I decided to pursue law because it makes use of both legal and non-legal skills I’ve

‘

you need to master the skill of listening. you need the ability to sit down and detail everything your client is telling you.

’

gained during my degree and work experiences. I was attracted to the fast-paced and competitive nature of commercial law, and I felt the variety of work from high-value corporate transactions to negotiations in contentious practice areas, presented interesting challenges. On my vacation placements, I found I enjoyed working in a legal environment and haven’t looked back since!

What did the application process involve?

The application process was initially a CV and covering letter, followed by a first-stage interview consisting of a verbal reasoning test and an interview with two solicitors.

Then, I was invited back for a second interview, which involved a presentation on a landmark insurance case in front of two partners and a solicitor.

Can you describe what you actually do?

Insurance is a huge department in DWF, and my team specialises in recovering what insurers pay out from third parties who contributed to the damage. We each have our own caseload, which means we are responsible for the ongoing negotiation up to the case being settled or going to court, while keeping our own clients updated. This area has a huge scope and we regularly handle cases involving all sorts of disasters ranging from subsidence and water damage, to fire and floods.

What do you enjoy most about your job and are there any downsides? DWF aims to maximise everyone’s potential and in the short time I’ve been there I’ve been allowed to take on a lot of responsibility. I’ve been the sole contact for policy-holders, brokers, and forensic experts alike. Whilst that might sound like I’ve been thrown in at the deep-end, everyone from partners and fellow advisors to secretaries has given me enormous support and advice. For me, it is this close-knit network which forms the highlight of working at DWF. What do you think are the most important skills you need to succeed in law? The ability to network and maintain relationships is a key skill for success, as it’s the one thing that will distinguish you from the masses of similarly qualified and competent lawyers. Being ambitious and responsive to market demands will stand your legal career in good stead. n

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law -- the third way | ilex

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law - the third way

'T

he wind of change is blowing through the legal profession,’ says Mark Bishop, President of the Institute of Legal Executives (ilex), ‘and the barriers that have traditionally separated the various branches of the profession are beginning to crumble.

‘I believe it is far from inconceivable that in twenty years’ time the distinction between legal executive lawyers, solicitors, barristers, and other legal professionals will have broken down.’

So what has being a legal executive got to offer the would-be lawyer? ‘We can offer a fantastic range of opportunities to people, including graduates,’ says Mark.

‘Membership of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), means you are a member of a leading provider of comprehensive legal education.’

ILEX offers a similar syllabus to a university law course and the option to ‘earn and learn’ - to earn a salary while working within the legal environment, thus avoiding being saddled with a big debt. You gain loads of experience in the process, which stands you in good stead in the very competitive jobs market that exists today.

‘If you are starting out we can offer full or part-time training at a higher education establishment, or distance learning via our own ILEX Tutorial College (ITC), which is probably one of the leading providers of distance-learning courses in the country,’ explains Mark. ‘We don’t neglect further training for graduates either. We offer a range of options for advancement beyond the ILEX Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law, which is our degree equivalent, through single subject courses, and further training for both law and non-law graduates.’

The Graduate Entry Diploma (GED) is an alternative route for law graduates to qualify as ILEX Members. The Diploma has been designed in conjunction with several university law departments and can be completed alongside, or after, a qualifying law degree.

ILEX also caters for anyone considering a late career change to law, and can offer study options for those who may find university is not an option at their stage in life. The flexibility in the courses to fit in with individual needs is a big plus for many. ‘ I believe the ILEX way is becoming more attractive to a growing number of graduates,’ states Mark. ‘The divide between the work of a solicitor and legal executives is narrowing all the time, and for all practical purposes there is now very little difference between the two.’

For information on ILEX go to www.ilexcareers.org.uk.

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Photography: © iStockphoto.com

If you don’t have the resources or inclination to study and practise law in the traditional way, then you should consider training to be a legal executive. Mark Bishop, President of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), explains the options and benefits.

Want a career in law?

No training contract?

Choosing to be a Legal Executive lawyer is a valued and prestigious career move: Latest salary surveys found jobs for up to £92,000 a year offered in London for Legal Executive lawyers who qualified with ILEX. Whilst salaries will vary according to location and your chosen specialist area of law, starting salaries are usually up to £20,000 a year, whilst fully qualified Legal Executive lawyers can expect to earn around £45,000 on average across England and Wales.

The status and standing of Legal Executive lawyers continues to grow, with eligibility to become partners in law firms and judges from 2009.

So if you want to earn whilst you learn and avoid further student debt, ILEX is your first choice.

Contact 01234 841000 or email info@ilex.org.uk or visit www.ilexcareers.org.uk

Postgraduate law opportunities Graduate Diploma in Law (new for 2008)

LLM Corporate Law and Strategy

The course gives non law graduates a route into the legal profession. It is also suitable if you are a law graduate without a qualifying law degree.

This course is ideal if you are a company director, a company lawyer, a shareholder or an employee and you wish to develop your practical and technical knowledge.

At the end of the course, you will have completed the academic stage of training required by the legal profession.

The course gives you a better understanding of the modern workplace from a legal and corporate perspective.

/THER COURSES INCLUDE s MSc Forensic Criminology s MSc Forensic Psychology

To find out more visit www.shu.ac.uk/law

>THINK DIFFERENTLY >COURSES THAT WORK FOR YOU

www.shu.ac.uk/law

ilex | case studies

mainly Criminal Litigation, Commercial property, Civil Litigation, and Probate. I was then required to complete the professional skills course, which I did successfully. I then qualified as a solicitor, and a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in January 2007, and was then employed as a Criminal litigator. I left Waldron’s in September 2007.

Balbir Paul Age: 32 Degree and university: University of Wolverhampton. I studied my LLB law degree for three years and also studied Ilex and became a Member of the Institute of Legal Executives when I was 25 years old. I continued to study Ilex and gained employment in a law firm and was offered a permanent position as a paralegal. I then went back to university to study a Postgraduate Diploma which was the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in order to become a solicitor. I continued to work in a firm as a conveyancer with my own workload being supervised by my supervisor. I worked whilst I built up my experience for five years dealing with my own case loads and went on to build my portfolio of experience and I sat the examinations and successfully completed the course. I was then able to apply for my Fellowship of the Institute of Legal Executives with the wealth of experience I had attained over the years.

What are you doing now? At present I am employed by a firm in the Black Country that specialises in Criminal Defence work. This firm is called HGH Criminal Defence Solicitors. I am employed mainly as a trial advocate in the Magistrates’ courts around the country. I work alongside very hard working Lawyers who are on call out 24 hours a day in case someone requires our assistance at the police station. The work that I undertake at the Magistrates’ courts ranges from defending clients who have been charged with summary offences such as road traffic offences, common assaults, to either way offences which are offences that can be dealt with at the Crown Court, for example theft, handling stolen goods, S47 assaults, and burglary.

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy advocacy the most because that’s what I do best. I enjoy trials where issues are not easily resolved, and I enjoy challenging evidence that gives rise to unlawful arrests, inadmissible interviews under S78 PACE, or any other procedural breach. I enjoy securing acquittals for my clients. It gives me great job satisfaction when I know justice has been served, and I enjoy meeting people from different walks of life.

Why did you decide on a career in law? I was inspired by my experience in a law firm, I had an ambition to become a solicitor at the age of 16 when I worked at this firm. I joined what was then a Youth Training Scheme and I was offered the job of administrator, typing letters for the lawyers. I developed my knowledge of how practical procedures were carried out, and was able to follow cases through to their completion. I then left my place of employment to continue my professional development in order to undertake the LLB law degree, ILEX, and thereafter the Legal Practice Postgraduate Diploma. I then went on to apply to firms for experience, and joined an agency whereby I assisted various firms as a paralegal.

Harbens Kaur

What did the application process involve?

Once I joined an agency I was interviewed and was offered a placement at several firms as a paralegal, and then was offered a permanent position in 2003 at a leading Black Country Firm, Waldron’s Solicitors, when I was offered the opportunity to undertake a training contract for two years. My seats involved

Age: 36 Degree and university: studied at Westminster University. I undertook ILEX Higher Level Six Diplomas in Contract Law, Tort, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Equity and Trusts, Land Law, Public Law, and European Law. I am currently halfway through the LPC at BPP School of Law, and will qualify as a Solicitor in 2009.

‘

i feel very strongly about the need for justice, and the right for everyone to have their case heard

’

Job Title: Legal executive, Homerton Hospital NHS Trust

Why did you decide upon a career in law? I have family who practice in law, and also due to the fact that I always had an interest in ‘people’s rights’, and access to a fair hearing, especially for the vulnerable. I feel very strongly about the need for justice, and the right to have your case heard.

What did the application process involve? I had completed an ILEX secretarial course, but my interest in legal learning had not been satisfied, so I enquired about the ILEX courses for qualifying as a lawyer via the ILEX website. I was sent the relevant information pack, which was informative, and described in a clear way the benefits of studying via the ILEX route.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat? I am a Legal Services/Claims Manager for an Acute London Hospital, working mainly on clinical negligence cases.

What do you enjoy most about your job and are there any downsides? I get involved in a wide range of different legal issues affecting the every day practices of our clinicians.

This can range from dealing with Mental Health Sections, to representing the Trust at a Coroner’s hearing. I attend court as an advocate for the Trust, and I meet with clinicians taking statements, so the work is very wide ranging.

What skills do you think you need to succeed? Determination and believing in yourself. You need to be focused and aim to be a credit to yourself and the profession.

You need to be approachable, so that clients can come to you with any type of legal problem big or small and know they have come to the right place, and that they’ll get the right support and guidance.

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates considering a career in law?

Have a firm idea about the area you want to specialise in, and move in that direction, make contacts by attending seminars and talks. Study via the ILEX route! There is so much competition for training contracts that it makes sense to become specialised in a particular area with ILEX, and then proceed straight to qualification once you’ve done your exams. n

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law in scotland | introduction

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

I

In England it is solicitors who undertake the widest range of legal work, while legal executives work in their own specialist areas such as litigation, property or probate alongside solicitors. Finally, barristers (also known as counsel) are specialist advocates with unlimited access to the courts. In Scotland the system is somewhat different.

Solicitors are the most numerous of the legal professionals with around 10,000 in Scotland and they must be members of the Law Society of Scotland and hold a current Practising Certificate issued by the society. They can give advice on all legal matters and deal directly with their clients. In the majority of cases they present their client’s case to the court. Since 1992 they have been able to apply for extended rights, becoming solicitor advocates (see below). Solicitors can also become notaries public who record certain transactions and sign specific legal documents.

Advocates are members of the Scottish Bar and so are equivalent to English barristers. Advocates must be members of the Faculty of Advocates, which in turn is part of the College of Justice. They have a right to appear in all Scottish courts, though most of their work involves appearing in the higher

PRACTISING LAW IN SCOTLAND Most people who wish to become solicitors in Scotland study a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree in Scottish law. The LLB degree can be studied as an ordinary degree over three years, or as an honours degree over four years. Once you have a Graduate Diploma In Law (GDL), the next stage is to apply for a postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practise available at Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Napier, Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian, Robert Gordon, and Strathclyde. This is the next stage in the process of qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland.

However, there is an alternative route which involves a three year pre-diploma training contract with a Scottish solicitor and studying for the Law Society’s professional exams. This is followed by a two-year post-diploma traineeship.

Non-law graduates from Scottish universities need to complete the GDL (one year full-time or two years part-time) and then proceed to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for solicitors, or the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) for barristers.

The BVC requires at least a lower second class honours degree.

Because of the differences in the law, a law degree from an English university does not form part of the qualification process in Scotland, and a Scottish law degree is not recognised by the Law Society of England and Wales. If you have an English law

courts and giving specialist opinions on legal matters. They are either junior

degree and wish to practise in Scotland (or vice versa) you have to acquire

counsel or senior counsel (also known as Queen’s counsel). They usually

dual qualification by sitting the Intra-UK Transfer Test. In the case of graduates

receive instructions indirectly from clients through solicitors, although they can be instructed directly by members of certain professional associations.

Solicitor advocates are solicitors with extended rights and this new position was created due to Scotland’s Law Reform (Micellaneous Provisions) Act, 1990. If a solicitor can prove to the Law Society of Scotland they have sufficient knowledge they can be granted the right of audience before the higher courts. Proof is usually provided through the means of exams, experience of practise, and further training. It is only solicitor advocates and advocates who are qualified to appear in Scotland’s higher courts.

with English law degrees this normally covers Conveyancing, Scottish Criminal Law, and EC Law. From this September Dundee (already the only Law school in the UK offering degree programmes in both Scots and English Law) is offering all its law students the chance to become qualified to practise in all of the UK’s jurisdictions. The course of study will allow them to take all the professional subjects required by the Law Societies of Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland as prerequisites for qualifying in each country. n For more information: www.dundee.ac.uk/law www.lawscot.org.uk

John Geddes Age: 24 Degree and university: LLB (Hons), Dip LP; University of Aberdeen; First year Work Title: Trainee Solicitor, Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace, Aberdeen.

Were you always interested in law as a career sector? No. I wanted to become an accountant until I did accountancy in sixth year and realised it wasn’t for me. After doing some work experience at my auntie’s law firm in Elgin, I settled on studying law; the clincher was sitting opposite a heroin addict in a court cell and hearing the story of how he had attempted to stab someone with one of his needles. For some reason this totally endeared me to a legal career.

What factors made you decide on your particular university/degree? Once I’d set my sights on becoming a solicitor it was clear that I had to complete a law degree. The law school at Aberdeen is highly regarded, I’m from Aberdeen, and the majority of my friends were staying in the area, so it made sense to go to university here.

Can you describe exactly what you do? It changes from department to department.

The advantage of working in a multidiscipline firm is the diversity of work on offer. I’m currently in the Corporate Department and have completed six months in Conveyancing, and have the opportunity to do seats in Commercial Property, Litigation, and Private Client.

Would you undertake further study to help your career progression? I have no plans to go back to university other than to complete the Professional Competency Course (PCC), which is a compulsory element of my traineeship. Five years of university followed by two years vocational training is enough for me!

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I love the diversity.

It’s great getting exposure to such a wide range of legal problems and not being stuck doing the same thing for two years.

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GDipL, BVC and LPC Programmes at MMU A £15million state-ofthe-art building, at the heart of the second largest legal centre in the country, and an excellent reputation for producing quality graduates.

The University for World-Class Professionals HP_MidxUni copy.pdf

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With a renowned academic team, the School of Law at MMU is well respected, and offers a comprehensive portfolio of legal studies, including undergraduate law degrees, with full and part-time study available.

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Whether you are a non-law graduate looking to succeed in legal practice, or are ready to proceed into working as a barrister or a solicitor, we can help you achieve your goals.

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We can offer various study options to suit your lifestyle; a wide range of optional subjects; regular feedback, personal tutors and careers advice; and friendly supportive teaching staff with close links to the legal profession.

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For more information contact: Telephone: 0161 247 2978 E-mail: law@mmu.ac.uk www.mmu.ac.uk/law

11:51:29

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The evidence is clear At Nottingham Law School you will be taught by qualified lawyers who work closely with some of the world’s leading firms. Our LPC is the only one to have received the highest rating from the Law Society every year since launch and we are one of only eight providers validated by the Bar Council to deliver the BVC. 98% of students who completed their GDL and LPC or BVC with us in 2007 have secured a training contract, pupillage or paralegal work. We offer a unique academic legal community and we are proud of our professional focus. You can choose to study in Nottingham or at our London campus, which has been set up in partnership with Kaplan Law School. So you won’t get a more authentic learning experience or a better start to your professional career. Case closed.

Law for lawyers, by lawyers. Visit www.ntu.ac.uk/nls3

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Discuss:

“The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.”

Jeremy Bentham, Philosopher and Legal Reformer

Wherever you are on your legal career journey, nd out why we’re rst choice for training that really gets you thinking.

GDL / LPC / BVC / LL.M Flexible full-time and part-time options available nationwide

Enquiring legal minds should visit: college-of-law.co.uk 0800 328 0153

well schooled

Demand for postgraduate courses in law is currently sky high, so it is advisable to start your research into programmes and providers as early as possible. Madhvi Pankhania looks at the options.

G

enerally speaking, most law students will go on to be solicitors or barristers and will require further training after graduating. Future solicitors will need to complete the Legal

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Even better news is they carry out regular individual assessments in six areas of provision; from teaching, support, and level of resources, to assessment and staffing. Each of these areas is given one of three grades: 1. Commendable practice

this is a good place to start your research.

Those wanting to train as barristers must complete the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) and must be admitted to an Inn of Court. Much like the structure of the LPC, every school that offers the BVC has been validated by the Bar Standards Board and monitored by the BVC

Practice Course (LPC) which usually runs for one year when studied full-time, and is

2. Confidence in the provision 3. Failure to meet the required level of

subcommittee of the Education and Training Committee, which assesses the

offered by more than 30 institutions in England and Wales. The good news for students is that all providers have to comply with written standards set by The

provision.

Impartial recommendations and clear, useful information about each institution can be found on www.sra.org.uk/lpc and

quality of provision and delivery.

Information about the ten accredited BVC providers can be found at www. barstandardsboard.org.uk.

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well schooled | postgrad study

‘

a staggering 40 per cent of trainee solicitors and many pupil barristers qualify after taking a law conversion course.

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

’

work in the City then electives such as advanced commercial litigation, debt finance, or private acquisitions may be more appropriate. If you haven’t yet decided on a path after study, have a look for schools that offer a range of different subjects.

The regulators can offer lots of useful resources to students, but which areas should students pay the most attention to? Final decisions should be based on the course and institution which best suits individual student requirements. Students should look at the teaching staff to student ratio, and the number of students on each course. This varies widely, as do class sizes and teaching methods.

Teaching may be provided in the form of workshops, small and large group sessions, and lectures. For example, Nottingham Kaplan offers both large (85) and small (18) group sessions; BPP law school provides lectures in groups of up to 252, small group work (18) and skills training (2-10); while the College of Law in Guilford has large groups (60) and two and a half hour workshops of 20 students that pay special attention to e-learning techniques.

It is also helpful to read comments made by the regulators about the support provision each institution provides for

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS Postgraduate law qualifications are not only restricted to the vocational BVC or LPC as there are many universities offering a range of more academic and specialised law subjects. Oxford has the largest graduate research law school in the English speaking world with 345 graduate students. Popular courses like theirs are oversubscribed - each year they receive an average of 800 applications for just 150 places on the Batchelor of Civil Law (BCL) or Magister Juris (MJur) Master’s degree, and there are an additional 40 places for research degrees. Teaching here differs from the LLM at other institutions in that students are given tutorials as well as the standard seminars and lectures. With these courses, graduates use their qualification directly in practice or in other employment after completion, but there are opportunities to take on a research project for another year and be awarded an MPhil in Law. Look out for specialised areas such as socio-legal studies, criminology, and European and Comparative Law.

students. The College of Law assigns a personal tutor to each student, has a

A staggering 40 per cent of trainee solicitors and a significant proportion of

student counselling service, and a ‘buddy’ scheme which is popular with students

pupil barristers qualify after taking a law conversion course, having studied an

without training contracts. The SRA also looks at learning resources. It notes that London’s Kaplan Law School is located in a ‘well-resourced and attractive office building located adjacent to the River Thames’ and mentions that The Oxford Institute of Legal Practice has well-stocked libraries, online resources, and good quality course materials.

Bear in mind that courses like the LPC and BVC not only have compulsory subjects but also electives designed to prepare students for work in different practice areas. If you are planning to go into high street or general practice, think about joining a law school offering relevant electives such as family law, or employment law. If you would rather

alternative subject at university. Many schools recognise the demand for conversion courses such as the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and offer these separately, or in conjunction to, their vocational studies. So for example, if you are thinking about going on to do the LPC, schools that guarantee progression to this course after conversion may be worth considering (the Bar Council do not allow a similar route for BVC students). Law firms welcome applications from non-law students because of the specialist knowledge and skills students can bring. Applications for the GDL are via the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk).

COST Costs vary enormously between schools with some charging £5,000 more than others for the same course. With limited finances available to students (there are no student loans), it is wise to pay attention to fees and to discover whether the high prices are worthwhile.

The highest fees for the LPC are £11,550, while barristers can pay as much as £14,150. The costs dramatically decrease outside of London where they can be less than £7,000, and the size of a school may also determine variations as larger institutions can offer more facilities per student. But higher costs do not always mean better services; be sure to see whether course materials are included in the price and if there are significant differences to justify the tremendously high costs. A source of finance may come in the form of sponsorship from firms who will offer to pay fees (both GDL and LPC) as part of their training contracts. There are a few scholarships available from the Law Society, Bar Council, Inns of Court and Law Schools and if costs are really posing a problem, then part-time courses may be a good solution.

»

FIRMS EXCLUSIVELY SENDING THEIR TRAINEES TO ONE PROVIDER FOR THE LPC

BPP Addleshaw Goddard CMS Cameron McKenna LLP Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Herbert Smith LLP Jones Day Lovells Macfarlanes Norton Rose LLP Simmons & Simmons Slaughter And May SJ Berwin LLP COLLEGE OF LAW Clifford Chance Linklaters Allen & Overy Berwin Leighton Paisner Barlow Lyde & Gilbert Baker & McKenzie Halliwells Wragge & Co Cobbetts Weil, Gotshal & Manges Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton Pannone

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law schools | case studies

Tracy Singlehurst-Ward Age: 23 University: Cardiff University (LLB Law) and Cardiff Law School, Centre for Professional Legal Studies (LPC) Work Title: Trainee in Commerical Litigation, Hugh James LLP Why did you decide on a career in law? I chose law as a career at quite an early stage, at the beginning of my GCSE’s. In part, this was because it was suggested to me by careers’ advisors who saw that I was good at academic subjects where the skills would be transferable, for example history and english. I was particularly attracted to it however, because I knew it would be a challenge, and would set out a career path and targets for me from the very beginning of my studies. I had not studied law, but it struck me as so interesting that it would be a job that would never be boring as there is so much to learn. I would therefore be involved in a stimulating career, which would involve working with a wide variety of people.

What did the application process involve? The application process is very in-depth. Getting to university and onto the LPC is not such an onerous task, but applying for training contracts certainly requires dedication. I was very fortunate and was offered a contract with one of the first firms I applied to, Hugh James.

However, even to get to this I went through assessment days with some firms (with everything from negotiation skills tests to psychometric tests), interviews, and being asked to do presentations. The application forms used by legal recruiters are far more in-depth than for some other jobs, which I think reflects the competition in the profession.

It was absolutely necessary to be ahead of the game and organise myself at an early stage as the firms I wanted to go to recruited two years in advance.

What are you actually doing? I am currently working in Commercial Litigation at Hugh

‘

vacation schemes are an ideal way of gaining an insight into the life of a solicitor, along with law fairs and also open days.

’

James. This seat has been immensely varied in the type of work I am able to get involved in. It ranges from simple debt recovery, to commercial and contractual disputes, professional negligence, intellectual property, education, and sports law. The tasks I am given are very varied, and enable me to play an important part in the cases I work on. Each day I am doing different things, so the seat is very exciting and interesting as well as providing an excellent knowledge base and learning experience.

What do you most enjoy about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy the variety and fast pace of my job. I don’t have time to get bored and each case is so different that they are all interesting in their own way. I particularly enjoy the fact this seat is contentious as it makes you feel very passionate about your work, and you can take pride in your achievements. I meet lots of different clients and enjoy the responsibility given to me. I get a variety of tasks each day ranging from interviewing witnesses, drafting, researching, and liaising with clients. Being a trainee generally is very exciting as you have the opportunity to try a variety of very different jobs.

As a trainee, you have to be flexible and ready to help out your team with all sorts of tasks which may be vital, or at times menial, but this makes it more varied and interesting, and I have not had a single case that I have not enjoyed or found interesting yet. Other than this, the only downside is that you have to move seats when you have just got the hang of what you were doing in the current one!

Nicola Gaukroger Age: 26 University: Trinity Hall, Cambridge, History and Social and Political Sciences (predominantly Psychology) GDL: BPP, London LPC: The City Law School, London (part of City University London) Job Title: Trainee Solicitor with Irwin Mitchell

What do you actually do? I am just about to complete my second seat which is in the industrial disease team. Most of the cases in this department arise out of asbestos related diseases, especially Mesothelioma. My tasks

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vary on a day-to-day basis but include the following: • Drafting Instructions to Counsel • Taking witness statements from clients or their family members • Reviewing medical evidence • Tracing former employers and their insurers • Issuing proceedings • Drafting Schedules of Loss • Writing letters of claim What did the application process entail? I made applications to about ten different firms and did vacation schemes at four of them. In order to obtain a place on the vacation scheme at Irwin Mitchell I attended an assessment centre. This consisted of a group exercise, a written task, a verbal reasoning task, and giving a five minute presentation to a member of the HR team. Having been successful at this stage I was invited to spend a week in the employment department in London. Following this I was interviewed by a Partner and a member of HR. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? The variety of the work I do and a sense of achievement when I have worked on a file which settles.

There aren’t too many downsides. Time recording can take a while to get used to.

There are also a lot of deadlines so diarising everything becomes very important.

What skills do you think you need to succeed?

The ability to build a good rapport with clients is vital, as is the ability to work well with other members of your team. Good writing skills are also crucial as you will be writing a lot of letters!

What advice would you give other graduates considering a career in law? To do as much research as possible and as early as possible.

The larger firms recruit two years in advance and if you are fortunate enough to obtain a training contract at this stage, your GDL and LPC fees may be paid. Vacation schemes are an ideal way of gaining an insight into the life of a solicitor, as are law fairs and open days.

These look good on a CV, and also provide an opportunity to test the reality against any preconceived ideas. n

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Conversion courses: • Graduate Entry LLB • Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE Masters in Law (LLM): • LLM International Commercial Law • LLM Housing & Environmental Law • LLM Media Law • LLM Criminal Litigation Professional courses: • Bar Vocational Course (BVC) • Legal Practice Course (LPC)

For more information on which is the best course for you, and to apply online today, please visit www.city.ac.uk/law Alternatively, please email law@city.ac.uk or call us now on +44 (0)20 7040 3309. Please quote the following reference when contacting us: Review01

Ethnic minorities in Corporate Law Interested in a summer internship at a top London corporate law firm?

Then why not apply through SEO London?

Towards the goal of diversifying the finance industry, SEO London offers students in depth training, high quality mentoring and extremely well paid summer vacation scheme placements with the leading corporate law firms in the City of London. Students participating in the programme will also have the opportunity to complete multiple vacation placements with different sponsor firms throughout Summer 2009.

Through its unique Seminar Series and SEO Networking, SEO London will provide every student with access to senior partners at all sponsors of the programme, including Magic Circle, Top 20 UK and US law firms. Every student participating in the programme will receive in excess of sixty hours of individually tailored pre-summer training to ensure they outperform their peers and maximise their chances of success. In addition, every participant will also be allocated a senior industry mentor to help guide them through their summer experience. Historically, as a result of this exposure and support, more than 80% of the students that have interned through SEO London have gone on to secure full time graduate positions with sponsor firms.

In 2008 191 students interned through SEO London and for Summer 2009 more than 250 corporate law vacation scheme placements and investment banking internships will be available. The programme is open to penultimate year and final year undergraduates from ethnic minority groups currently under-represented in the City, specifically from Black or Asian backgrounds.

“SEO is unique in all respects. It provided me with the expertise and platform to interact with some of the UK’s top business people. It gave me access to training and supporters that made the critical difference between me being offered a full time position and not. Above all, SEO provides you with a sense of belonging to a motivated group of people with one vision and one drive: success! I strongly recommend it!” Ronald Chirochangu, SEO London intern

SEO Claw_RealW.ad half.indd 1

To learn more about the opportunities available and to make an online application please visit www.seo-london.org The deadline for applications is December 15th 2008 but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Alternatively you can contact Carmen Wan, Programme Coordinator: Email carmen.wan@seo-london.org Tel 0845 450 7830

‘one internship, infinite opportunities’

19/8/08 2:00:08 pm

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Over 90 exhibitors including leading City, national & local law firms, course providers and professional bodies For training opportunities & vacation placements plus courses in the legal sector Open to law and non-law students and graduates from all universities

THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2008 12.30 - 4.00pm

In association with The Independent

For full details check out:

www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/lawfair

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LAW | CAREER FAIRS

LAWCAREER FAIRS2008 University of Aberdeen October 6th, 11am to 3pm Elphinstone Hall, Kings College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen University of Birmingham November 19th, 1pm to 3.30pm Great Hall, Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT University of Bristol November 12th and 13th, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol Cardiff Law School November 4th, 11am to 3pm The Cardiff Law Fair brings together a wide range of law firms and legally-related organisations. Recruitment to the bigger law firms takes place earlier than in other sectors, making this an ideal starting point for interested second or even first years.

City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff City University, London November 5th, 1.30pm to 5pm The fair will be primarily aimed at Law students but will be open to students from other courses as well, who are thinking of pursuing a career in law. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the recruiters within this sector and find out what opportunities are available, what employers expect from you and how you can make the most of your application to them. Companies attending include Withers LLP, Bar Council, and Allen & Overy LLP. Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB University of Dundee October 7th, 11am to 3pm The annual Dundee Law Fair attracts some 25 Scottish legal firms who are looking to recruit Scots Law graduates. The event is also open English legal firms and public legal bodies.

Bonar Hall, Park Place, Dundee, DD1 4HN Durham University November 24th and 25th, 12 noon to 3.30pm.

Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

University of East Anglia November 6th, 10am to 5pm, Sportspark, University of East Anglia University of Exeter November 26th, 11.30am to 2.30pm Over 60 employers seeking trainee solicitors will be exhibiting as well as Barristers‘ Chambers. This fair is particularly relevant for second years and students looking for Law vacation work.

Great Hall & Lower Examination Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PZ

University of Hull November 12th, 1pm to 4pm The annual Legal careers afternoon to be held on the Hull campus, giving students and graduates an opportunity to meet a range of solicitors, barristers and other legal employers. Lindsey Suite, Staff House, University of Hull

Addleshaw Goddard (London) CMS Cameron McKenna and College of Law (Birmingham).

East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

University of Leeds November 3rd and 4th, time TBC Exhibitors include representatives from a wide range of solicitors firms and institutions offering professional law courses. There will also be a presentation from lawyers representing different areas of the profession.

Parkinson Court,University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT

Queen’s University, Belfast November 5th, 2pm to 4pm The Fair is designed to help students network with potential employers, develop career awareness and access vacancies for Training Contracts and Vacation Placements.

Whitla Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN

University of Liverpool November 4th, time TBC Mountford Hall, Guild of Students Mount Pleasant University of Liverpool Liverpool LSE November 25th and 27th, time TBC There were 48 different organisations at last year’s LSE event and this year should be equally as busy.

Senior Dining Room and Common Room, Old Building Manchester University November 20th, 12.30pm to 4pm Over 90 exhibitors including leading City, national and local law firms, course providers and professional bodies.

Manchester Central (The G-MEX Centre), Manchester M2 3GX Newcastle University November 17th, 1pm to 3.30pm Newcastle Law Fair will take place at St James’ Park, the home of Newcastle United Football Club. Over 60 of the UK’s prestigious law firms, course providers and professional bodies will be attending.

Bamburgh Suite, Level 4, St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne University of Northumbria October 16th, 11am to 3pm This is a great opportunity for students to meet employers and organisations from the legal profession and related alternatives, including national and local law firms, barristers’ chambers and professional bodies.

Open to law and non-law students from any institution. Northumbria University, Newcastle City Centre University Of Nottingham October 23rd, 1pm to 4pm The Law Fair includes firms and organisations who recruit both law and non-law students and LPC/GDL course providers. Seventy six exhibitors will be there on the day including

Oxford University November 15th, 11am to 3pm Examination schools, Oxford

University Of Reading November 5th, 1pm to 4pm The University Of Reading School Of Law enjoys an excellent reputation and the number of law students attending has grown considerably in recent years. Traditionally at Reading, a high proportion of non-law graduates also decide on a career in law.

Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, RG6 6UR University of St Andrews Tuesday 7th October, 12pm to 3pm Town Hall, Queens Gardens, St Andrews, Fife University of Sheffield, November 26th, 1pm to 4pm: 75 organisations will be in attendance at this fair which is open to students from all universities (law and non-law students). The Fair provides the opportunity to meet lawyers and graduate legal trainees and to find out about professional courses, vacation work and training places.

The Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TQ University Of Southampton November 20th, 6pm to 8pm The Fair is run by the School of Law at the University of Southampton. Students from the University can discuss vacation and training contract opportunities with a variety of organisations.

University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ University of Sussex November 11th, 12 noon to 3pm An opportunity to speak to a wide range of legal employers (both London and local).

Conference Centre, Bramber House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QU University of York 28th October, 11am to 3pm There will be 30 exhibitors at the fair and a number of employer-led presentations throughout the day to give you an insight into getting ahead in the legal profession.

Goodricke College, Heslington, York, YO10 5DDw

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RECRUITER FILE | 2009

Allen & Overy LLP

COMPANY PROFILE Allen & Overy is an international legal practice with approximately 5,000 people in 29 major centres worldwide.

Our clients include many of the world’s top businesses, financial institutions, governments and private individuals. We are renowned for the high quality of our Banking, Corporate and International Capital Markets advice, but also have major strengths in areas such as Dispute Resolution, Tax, Employment and Employee Benefits, Real Estate and Private Client.

WITHIN THIS BROAD RANGE OF EXPERTISE WE OFFER A TRAINING CONTRACT CHARACTERISED BY FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE - OUR TRAINING PROGRAMME IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE BEST IN THE CITY.

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TRAINING CONTRACT Within this broad range of expertise we offer a training contract characterised by flexibility and choice – our training programme is widely regarded as the best in the City and continues throughout your career at Allen & Overy following qualification. There is also the opportunity for trainees to undertake an international or client secondment during their second year of training.

All our future trainees take the Allen & Overy-specific LPC at The College of Law in London. The course has been designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful solicitor.

The firm also now offers trainees the option of completing a litigation course.

This means that trainees will no longer need to spend time in the firm’s dispute resolution or employment departments to gain their contentious experience if they are sure their interests lie elsewhere.

VACATION PLACEMENTS & OPEN DAYS Allen & Overy offers approximately 100 vacation placements across winter, spring and summer, and a number of open days throughout the year.

As well as practical work experience with lawyers and partners, our vacation placements and open days include workshops, presentations and talks. These are aimed at informing you about our work and helping you to develop the skills you need to be a successful commercial lawyer such as negotiation, presentation and interview skills.

For winter placements, final year undergraduates, graduates and careers changers should apply from 1 October – 31 October 2008. For spring and summer placements, penultimate year undergraduates should apply from 1 October 2008 – 16 January 2009.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR You will need to demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for a legal career at Allen & Overy, and a strong, consistent academic performance – you should have achieved or be predicted at least a 2:1 (or equivalent). At Allen & Overy you will be working in a team where you will use your initiative and manage your own time and workload, so evidence of teamwork, leadership and problemsolving skills are also looked for.

SPONSORSHIP & AWARDS GDL and LPC course fees are paid in full.

For the Allen & Overy LPC in London, a £7,000 maintenance grant is also provided. For the GDL, £6,000 is provided in London and £5,000 elsewhere. We also offer financial incentives to future joiners obtaining a first class undergraduate degree or a distinction in the LPC. APPLY NOW: www.allenovery.com/careeruk

RECRUITER FILE | 2009

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

COMPANY PROFILE CMS is the leading organisation of

TRAINING PROGRAMME

European law firms, which includes CMS

Training contracts last for two years.

Cameron McKenna.

During this time you will have four six-month seats. You will be awarded a

We advise on a wide range of

priority seat when you start you training

transactions and issues, meaning that our

contract and will undertake a compulsory

clients benefit from working with teams

seat in either banking or corporate, and a

that really understand their issues and

contentious seat.

concerns. To ensure this weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve launched

Additionally it is expected that

one of the legal sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most

graduates who join the firm will spend one

comprehensive client feedback

seat outside of our London offices. This may

programmes to measure just how focused

include time in the UK at other regional

we are. This approach helps us get an

offices such as Aberdeen, Bristol or

honest opinion on our performance and

Edinburgh or on a UK- based client

has been recognised in a number of

secondment. Outside of the UK, we have

prestigious awards including Client

numerous opportunities to be seconded to

Relationship Management Development

one of our leading Central and Eastern

of the Year 2007.

European offices including Bulgaria, the

Acting on this feedback we have

Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland,

adopted a Sector approach to provide

Romania, Russia, and Ukraine. A course of

clients with an industry-specific service and

language lessons before and during your

deep sector expertise. Working alongside

stay abroad, plus help with relocation, will

our traditional Practice Group structure,

ensure the transition is as smooth as

Sector Groups enable us to build teams

possible during these six months.

taking an industry, rather than a purely legal, perspective. We believe it enables us to

VACATION SCHEMES

offer more proactive and tailored advice.

We offer undergraduates the opportunity to

Our Sector Groups are: Consumer Products;

spend two weeks at CMS Cameron

Energy & Utilities; Financial Institutions &

McKenna in London to find out more about

Services; Hotels & Leisure; Infrastructure &

our firm. The scheme allows you to spend a

Project Finance; Lifesciences; Real Estate &

week in two different practice areas, and

Construction; and Technology; and Media

undertake various presentations, workshops

& Telecoms (TMT).

and social events.

TYPES OF WORK

Christmas, Easter and summer, and are

Our clients benefit from an extensive range

open to anyone interested in pursuing a

of services which can be grouped broadly

legal career. We also run schemes at our

into six Practice Groups: Banking and

Bristol and Scottish offices so please refer

International Finance; Commercial;

to the website for further details.

Our vacation schemes run over

Corporate; Energy, Projects and Construction; Insurance and Reinsurance;

APPLY NOW:

and Real Estate.

www.cmstalklaw.com

WE OFFER UNDERGRADUATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TWO WEEKS AT CMS CAMERON MCKENNA IN LONDON TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM.

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Super calibre, analytic, expert and judicious.

Everything you need to land your first job in investment banking, asset management and the financial markets. First-class graduate finance roles, expert career advice, the latest hiring trends and tips to help you outsmart the competition.

Visit the Student Centre today – www.eFinancialCareers.com/students

WE’RE WIDE AWAKE 24 HOURS A DAY How wide is your world?

To find out more about training at Lovells visit our graduate website: www.lovells.com/graduates Lovells (the “firm”) is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses.

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Start at the top A Career in Law

When it comes to eggs, it’s more than just a question of etiquette. Edward VI certainly thought so. That’s why he decreed that any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end would be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks.

Law or

Non-law?

Law and business are full of surprises. Whether you are exploring the modern implications of existing laws, or working to find legal solutions to new situations, you’ll need to be open-minded, creative and commercial.

At Allen & Overy, we are working at the forefront of today’s evolving legal landscape, helping to shape and frame the environment in which business, and life itself, is conducted.

#SFBLJOH XJUI USBEJUJPO You don’t need to have studied law to become a lawyer, but business sense, curiosity and a commitment to excellence are essential. www.allenovery.com/careeruk Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings.

Answer: Non-law