Any law students/barristers?

[Mohsin]

Hey guys, i know we have some law students/graduates here but just wondering if we have any qualified barristers/solicitors here.

Ive just finished me second year LLB Law at University and im just confused regarding the steps towards what i should be doing.

I want to go down the barrister route, but just a little blurry over what should be done/the timetable for after a graduate in 2013. I understand for those wanting to do down the solicitor route, its a case of (atm) applying for a training contract (with most deadlines at the end for July, for students graduating in 2013, for 2014 TC's)...however what about the barrister route?

Am i correct in thinking its a case of joining one of the Inn's and then applying for a BPTC ...which would be followed by an application for a pupillage following completion of the BPTC?
If so when would i have to apply for the BPTC (which is the source of my confusion), what are the deadlines?

Thanks

Also anyone have any tips, regarding mini-pupillages, making my application stand out etc?

[2hands]

^ i dont speak this language

[Justcrazy]

Very tough to get training contracts these days.

[Pakpak]

Unless you have contacts getting a job as a solicitor or a Barrister is not impossible but unbelievably hard.

Be very prepared to work as a paralegal for a while, people I knew worked as a paralegal for years till they made it, and some are still working as paralegals and with pay that is astonishingly peanuts.

As someone with a law career background law is probably the most overrated thing.

As for tips, depends where you're applying.

E.g. if you're applying to a personal injury firm then make sure you know how the whole personal injury claim process works inside out. LPC will teach you a lot of that. Also knowing what systems firms use to process their claims would be helpful too.

Do a LOT of law related work experience. That is the best advice IMO.

They won't even look at an application till you have solid experience. Also make sure you get a 2.1 or above.

[Vegitto1]

Originally Posted by Mohsin Hey guys, i know we have some law students/graduates here but just wondering if we have any qualified barristers/solicitors here. Ive just finished me second year LLB Law at University and im just confused regarding the steps towards what i should be doing. I want to go down the barrister route, but just a little blurry over what should be done/the timetable for after a graduate in 2013. I understand for those wanting to do down the solicitor route, its a case of (atm) applying for a training contract (with most deadlines at the end for July, for students graduating in 2013, for 2014 TC's)...however what about the barrister route? Am i correct in thinking its a case of joining one of the Inn's and then applying for a BPTC ...which would be followed by an application for a pupillage following completion of the BPTC? If so when would i have to apply for the BPTC (which is the source of my confusion), what are the deadlines? Thanks Also anyone have any tips, regarding mini-pupillages, making my application stand out etc?

1. From September 2012 to January 2013 the application portal for BPTC will open. I suggest you start getting some generic answers ready by the end of September i.e. Why do you want to be a barrister? etc.

2. You must join one of the four Inns before 30 May 2013. So a good time to apply is when you apply for BPTC. December 2012 - January 2013.

3. BPTC is 1 year full-time and 2 years part-time and is quite challenging.

4. Make sure you do at least 3 mini-pupillages and a lot of court visits. Keep up to date with the law in the areas you are interested in and also major current cases.

5. Provided you had amazing A-level results and a minimum 2:1 degree AND minimum Very Competent in your BPTC then you are in with a good shout for pupillage.

[Mohsin]

Yeah i know its really competitive...but that doesnt deter me, you still gotta go after it lol

Originally Posted by Vegitto1 1. From September 2012 to January 2013 the application portal for BPTC will open. I suggest you start getting some generic answers ready by the end of September i.e. Why do you want to be a barrister? etc. 2. You must join one of the four Inns before 30 May 2013. So a good time to apply is when you apply for BPTC. December 2012 - January 2013. 3. BPTC is 1 year full-time and 2 years part-time and is quite challenging. 4. Make sure you do at least 3 mini-pupillages and a lot of court visits. Keep up to date with the law in the areas you are interested in and also major current cases. 5. Provided you had amazing A-level results and a minimum 2:1 degree AND minimum Very Competent in your BPTC then you are in with a good shout for pupillage.

Great response, really useful. Thanks V

[Pakpak]

Good attitude to have.

The romance with a specific career is all good but doing it is something very different. Just make sure to do your research properly.

[Vegitto1]

Originally Posted by Mohsin Yeah i know its really competitive...but that doesnt deter me, you still gotta go after it lol Great response, really useful. Thanks V

Btw doing the BPTC has its advantages.

The main one being that you become member of the Bar and your car insurance is capped at 990 pounds for any car up to the value of 75000 pounds.

So if say you are driving a Audi RS-6 and you are 23 - then you still pay 990 for the year

Also those who study law and then do the vocational training are the most well-rounded individuals and this leads to career opportunities in various fields.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by Vegitto1 Btw doing the BPTC has its advantages. The main one being that you become member of the Bar and your car insurance is capped at 990 pounds for any car up to the value of 75000 pounds. So if say you are driving a Audi RS-6 and you are 23 - then you still pay 990 for the year Also those who study law and then do the vocational training are the most well-rounded individuals and this leads to career opportunities in various fields.

loool really?! I didnt know that!

Good you gave some advantages man, i was funnily enough thinking yesterday about all the 'barriers'....£13oddK for the BPTC, trying to actually find a pupillage (could be said to be a lottery) and then even after all that theres no guarantee

What are you up to these day if you dont mind my asking bro?

[Vegitto1]

Originally Posted by Mohsin loool really?! I didnt know that! Good you gave some advantages man, i was funnily enough thinking yesterday about all the 'barriers'....£13oddK for the BPTC, trying to actually find a pupillage (could be said to be a lottery) and then even after all that theres no guarantee What are you up to these day if you dont mind my asking bro?

My father is a solicitor and we have our own firm.

I have been working with him for some time and after my BPTC I started the personal injury department (before that he did mainly immigration and conveyancing)

Now that the PI side is up and running and can look after itself - I have set-up a company in Pakistan and will be going their in August to start it up etc.

I have myself registered as a lawyer in Pakistan, Punjab and applied for exemption from the 2 year practice rule so I can appear in the High Court in Pakistan straight away. (Exemption is given to those who have been called to the Bar)

Hopefully in 3 years time I see myself living in Pakistan. Earning a good living.

I am also going to set-up a Free Legal Representation Unit in my district for those who cannot afford legal fees and if the initiative is successful and gains response - I intend to associate it with PTI and promote the party.

P.S: I did the BPTC with the sole intention of going back to Pakistan and practicing there. And people in Pakistan think Barrister is on a different level to all others.

however in the UK the line between Solicitors and Barristers is blurred to an extent and may be if I had the intention of staying in the UK - I would have done the LPC