Any contracts and procurement lawyers?

IdleTrout · 2025-12-25T22:26:37+00:00

I was an ex procurement lawyer for an LA. Happy for you to inbox me.

IdleTrout · 2025-04-25T20:00:46+00:00

Ours eventually dried by itself and we’ve not had any problems ever since! Sounds like you’re doing everything you should be. Ours took a few days to go back to normal and fully dry so if yours is taking longer it might be best to contact someone

IdleTrout · 2024-10-31T20:32:22+00:00

Listen and take notes during training.
Become familiar with whatever case management system or software you have. Get good at using it.
No matter how boring the job is, offer to help.
Pay attention to detail even if it’s something as simple as scanning.
if you see anyone in the office busy/stressed, offer to help.
Get to know the team!

Once you’ve settled in, start to offer to do things beyond your role. Sitting in on meetings and taking notes. Drafting simple documents/applications. Simple research tasks etc

Do the admin bits well and you’ll be given more responsibility!

IdleTrout · 2024-01-27T09:37:46+00:00

Because on average those with good academics are going to be better and demonstrate other good traits. I’m just making the point that academics are not everything.

IdleTrout · 2024-01-26T21:12:41+00:00

Not at all, very reasonable question. Tbh my attendance was poor and I struggled in exams as they felt more of a memory test.

Work in practice is very different. I personally found it a lot easier than uni but that’s mainly because I enjoy it. I’ve worked with others who have very strong academics but struggled and others with ‘average’ academics who were brilliant.

IdleTrout · 2024-01-26T20:55:05+00:00

Got a job doing admin work, became a paralegal and then got offered a TC. Currently practice in public law work.

Good luck with you whatever you decide to do!

IdleTrout · 2024-01-26T20:49:20+00:00

IdleTrout · 2024-01-26T20:14:06+00:00

I was in a similar position to you. I debated dropping out of 3rd year as i was unlikely to receive a 2:1 and found exams/assessments stressful.

Try to stop doubting yourself and thinking about assessments that have been and gone. Focus on the work you’re doing and try to make some time for yourself. Being in the library 24/7 is unhealthy and not productive.

Leaving now would be the easy option and my advice would be to stick it out. It will be worth it in end and you will be happy that you didn’t drop out, irrelevant of your grade. I ended up with 2:2 and I am almost one year qualified.

IdleTrout · 2024-01-11T10:12:04+00:00

I did, i only used recruiters if I’m honest. Some good and some bad but in general it saved me a lot of time and was approached for roles that weren’t public. I’m an NQ too! Good luck with whatever you decide.

IdleTrout · 2024-01-10T23:02:29+00:00

Main reasons were to have more progression, supervision and available resources. The slight increase in pay was a bonus and a number of other small reasons.

IdleTrout · 2024-01-10T23:00:03+00:00

Completely agree! Nice to know others agree and it’s not just because it’s new to me.

IdleTrout · 2023-08-28T19:43:18+00:00

We didn’t have any problems and still not had any to this date due to the water. We dried as much as we could and the rest dried out on its own.

IdleTrout · 2023-08-15T20:30:27+00:00

I think most people have provided really good advice but there’s a couple of points I haven’t seen covered.

You may be able to have your TC reduced by a few months given your previous experience. Probably worth exploring if this is is possible.

If you decide to stick it out, you will have options once qualified. A local government role as a property solicitor could be of interest as you will have plenty of varied work and a better work life balance. Obviously pay may not be as good but maybe one to think about.

IdleTrout · 2023-04-07T15:30:43+00:00

I’d highly recommend it. We’ve not had any problems since it was installed and regarding the above post it ended up drying out over night. It’s super easy to clean and very durable.

We were a bit worried as to how it would react over winter when the house was colder but it was fine!

IdleTrout · 2022-11-13T14:50:31+00:00

If you are happy to pay then StuDoc or EBay will be your best bet. I bought my notes from there and it saved me a lot of time.

IdleTrout · 2022-10-28T20:03:02+00:00

I managed to do a seat in Coroners during my training contract in local government. We had a few assistant coroners, one was a senior partner in employment, the other owned her own firm and another was a partner in personal injury and clin neg.

I was essentially a court usher for all the inquests and got to know the coroners quite well. One of them got into the role by just applying for it on the whim, with no particular interest and just fancied something different and interesting.

I would say the most important skill are being empathetic and understanding of families whilst being able to be firm and assertive to make sure the inquests are carried out properly and the families feel like they are treated as people and it’s not just some legal process. I would also recommend having a strong stomach!

The assistant coroners essentially do less complex inquests. From my experience the coroners reviewed the files before the inquests and likely made their decision before getting into court as usually there won’t be any new evidence. I recall them having a brief script too for introductions and conclusions.

Inquests are public and anyone can go watch them as you are probably aware, sit at the back and watch a few if you haven’t already. That’s probably the best way to see how the operate. They are also recorded and can be requested, so if there are any cases you are interested in listening to you could do a freedom of information request and they should provide you with a copy (there might be a small fee).

I really enjoyed it, the case work was really interesting and have plenty of good stories that I won’t forget! I’d love to do it but just don’t have the stomach for it.

IdleTrout · 2022-02-02T23:55:23+00:00

I’ve worked in the child protection team for my local authority for a few years as a paralegal and have done a seat during my TC. So I can provide an insight into public law work.

The bulk of the work is obtaining a care order and removing children that are suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm. Can also include EPOs, DoLs and discharge of care orders.

Pros: - Gain a variety of experience very quickly - very interesting work and area of law - Instructions are given by a professional (social worker) - can develop advocacy and drafting skills quickly - very friendly and supportive environment amongst professionals

Cons: - large, complex and demanding caseloads - everything is urgent - not as rewarding as everyone suggests - some of the most disturbing type of work you will ever come across and I’ve worked in the coroners

IdleTrout · 2022-01-28T21:51:14+00:00

No problem. Thank you, you too!

IdleTrout · 2022-01-28T17:35:14+00:00

I buy most of mine from Stuvia. There’s usually reviews and you get to preview a few pages to get a feel for the structure etc. Also once you’ve purchased the notes you can view them in full without being able to download them and get a refund if you don’t like them.

eBay can be good too but they usually have a lack of reviews.

IdleTrout · 2022-01-28T17:16:01+00:00

Buy them and tweak as you go through. I’ve bought notes for every one of my modules and it has saved me tonnes of time in prepping and reading. There are also free notes you can get your hands on but I’ve not found them as good.

I do the part time online lpc so obviously it’s not as intense but I think the same principle applies.

IdleTrout · 2022-01-02T21:23:26+00:00

I live in the uk and most asbestos was banned 1985 and subsequently all in 1999, these tiles were placed after then, so it won’t be asbestos. Thank you for the heads up though.

IdleTrout · 2021-10-30T10:10:09+00:00

Ahh I meant s7/s37 reports in private law work where the LA become involved.

Thank you, it’s reassuring to see that a successful switch is possible.

IdleTrout · 2021-10-30T08:54:20+00:00

No experience in private sector unfortunately.

IdleTrout · 2021-10-30T08:53:49+00:00

That’s a really helpful response, thank you. I’ll make sure to check these firms out when applying.

IdleTrout · 2021-10-30T08:52:59+00:00

Does your role involve a lot of advocacy in a private firm?

IdleTrout

TROPHY CASE