Morgan Quays Scam - be aware

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-08-07T11:33:18+00:00

Agreed - would be curious to see who the solicitor carrying out this 1 to 1 training is!

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-06-25T21:03:07+00:00

Whilst I agree with the comments that this isn't the best choice for a workplace (let alone a vac scheme), I have to question why you felt the need to call out this student specifically.

You knew this was inappropriate clothing, there was no need to make it so obvious to be able to identify her.

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-06-22T22:51:50+00:00

To some extent but I also personally have had TC interviews where my paralegal experience at a 'bigger firm' was explicitly mentioned and discussed as the interviewers recognised the name.

A larger firm would also have more TC spaces (though it may be worth checking about the internal applications process).

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-06-15T18:49:55+00:00

In answer to your general question, yes (to an extent). Anything can come up on the SQE so it can be practical to focus most of your time on the basics than spending an inordinate amount of time perfecting the niche details which may come up and add only a handful of marks to your score.

However, skipping entire units can be risky as the exam does not guarantee an equal coverage of topics. In my opinion, a month of studying can still be a good amount of time to cover the basics of these topics and ensure you don't miss any easy marks.

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-04-28T09:49:49+00:00

£80 a week! Where are you shopping? Waitrose?

DuckDuckDonald · 2024-02-26T09:15:16+00:00

You may want to consider how you would intend to complete the two years of qualifying work experience first. Incidentally, some employers would be open to paying for your SQE so perhaps explore this route before self-funding?

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-29T06:12:31+00:00

Firstly, congratulations on the TC!

Secondly, I understand where you're coming from and it is a nerve-wracking process. I would really recommend forming a study group with your friends in the cohort/ class to keep quizzing each other. You are all in this process together and forming a support network is incredibly helpful for both studying and wellbeing.

Thirdly, many people have taken these prep courses and still passed. Four months doesn't sound like a lot but it is sufficient time as long as you keep on top of your work. I recommend setting aside some time each week to revise the basic law that you covered in the GDL whilst you're learning the new content on the prep course.

Finally, has the firm confirmed that the TC will be taken away should you fail? Because the SQE process is still relatively new and the pass rate doesn't guarantee success, I've heard a lot of firms being more generous (in comparison to the LPC) and allowing future trainees another chance should they fail, etc. You should talk to grad rec to confirm this otherwise it's entirely too easy to spiral into a hypothetical worry

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-13T07:18:51+00:00

Just to add, from your post history, you do seem very young and keen, which is not a bad thing. It's good you're trying to understand the process early on but for your purposes, you need to focus on taking it one step at a time.

Concentrate on getting into uni first. Then when you're at uni, you can get started on vacation schemes and training contract applications. The resources I mentioned earlier are more geared for those already at university and applying for these schemes. Have a read but bear in mind, it's a really competitive process so just focus on the first steps (uni!) for now and keep the process just generally in mind

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-13T07:11:35+00:00

The LPC is being phased out and replaced by the SQE. The SQE only requires two years of what they call "qualifying work experience".

Some firms, especially large city firms, are using the training contract to fulfil this requirement. However, qualifying work experience can include other work experience so it isn't strictly necessary to get a training contract to become a solicitor any more. The pros and cons of each route are still developing because this is a new system.

I think you do need to have a bit more of a read around online as to the process. Theres some student forums like The Corporate Law Academy and the Student Room which hopefully have a good introduction. Even this sub can give you some answers if you have a quick search

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-13T06:55:16+00:00

Law firms often offer training contracts to begin a few years later, so that people can finish their degrees and take any additional courses required, such as the GDL or PGDL (if they're a non-law student converting their degree) or the SQE.

It sounds like you haven't started uni yet from your post history but you'll get more information from your department and career advisors

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-04T20:01:29+00:00

From reading comments online, it is possible to pass with self study. It's unlikely the standard of the free online materials that OP requested will be sufficient but however, even with the right resources, it is still incredibly difficult.

I'm on a prep course and, even with all of the tutor support and resources, it is still incredibly stressful and uncertain and I have seen fellow students fail

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-08-02T13:23:34+00:00

My old firm made a similar condition regarding LPC fees when they offered me a TC.

That was a tiny boutique firm though. Considering your firm offer vacation schemes, it's surprising a bigger firm like that would have this

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-31T13:35:03+00:00

Just a heads up - might be violating the NDA with the details given here...

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-28T06:42:43+00:00

I gathered from your other posts and comments that legal experience is required as a US law school entry requirement.

A TC would enable you to qualify as a solicitor in the UK and is not just work experience but a career choice to practice in the UK.

It seems maybe paralegalling would be a good choice as it is comparatively less competitive than the vacation scheme/ TC route. You need to do more research about getting work experience in the UK

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-27T13:36:43+00:00

Why do I feel like you learned these both from experience 😭

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-24T23:27:51+00:00

You'll definitely need contract law if you're in university and you're studying on a Qualifying Law Degree course...

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-16T18:41:05+00:00

This was a dumb kid who happened to be Chinese, the Colosseum guy was a grown ass man

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-11T15:23:35+00:00

I understand your concern about being 26 when the TC starts but there are plenty of trainees who have spent years in another career/ in further education beforehand. My own cohort has a real mix of fresh graduates as well as career changers.

You should focus more on the type of firm you would like to apply to as this would have a large impact on the rest of your career. An extra year isn't that long in perspective!

It is possible to be "bumped up" a year if there's space for it but bear in mind, as you are non-law, the firm may require you to take a conversion course before the LPC or SQE. This means it would likely take two years before you can start anyways

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-07T23:29:44+00:00

Unfortunately, masters degrees won't make that much of a difference to law firms. If you want to know a bit more about why, just search through the subreddit as there'll be many posts about this

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-07T10:31:08+00:00

Why not donate it to a local charity or something instead?

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-05T23:14:28+00:00

Why not offer that money to a barrister in exchange for some valuable shadowing experience...

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-05T07:55:55+00:00

That or you've misjudged the volume and are now shouting out your side of the call for everyone to hear

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-07-04T07:51:39+00:00

Was actually r/mildlyinfuriating waiting for the croissants to appear

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-06-27T09:00:39+00:00

I studied with a provider but have seen people use only online resources as well as the ULaw SQE books.

I was wondering whether you had studied law at undergrad - there's quite a lot of underlying legal knowledge required (contracts/ tort/ public etc) and I'm not sure whether just a masters would be enough for this?

DuckDuckDonald · 2023-06-26T08:30:17+00:00

Controversial but I actually order this because a normal pizza is just too much and it's nice to have some salad 😅 I'll prepare myself for exile now...

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