PPC1 advice!

mrosamabinladen

hello,
I think i'm on the verge of securing a training contract with local solicitor but he wants me to put it in an email for him exactly how much it will cost him (wages and whether many solicitors pay portion of fees), when i will start exactly, how long i will be out of the office etc. Also, what is the date that he should have his mind made up by, ie latest date for application. I know some of you will just tell me to check the Law soc's Schedule of Fees which i have but i'd also like to use this.

I know a little bit already but i would appreciate it if some PPC1 attendees could post on this thread giving any info they can offer, I want to concentrate on exams for now!
i have 5 fe's done and will sit the remaining 3 this year. hope to start ppc (cork) this year

thanks!

ocul

Hey,

The Law Society have reviewed the trainee wages, if you go onto the Law Society website you'll find a booklet there, or else just ring the Education Centre at the Law Society, they'll put you in contact with the appropriate person.(most places pay the minimum, and perhaps 20% more - depends where and what size your offic)

You'll generally start about the begining of Sept, but even the Law Soc haven't yet settled on the dates, so all you can give is a ball park. You'll be out of the office from then until early April.

We're in mid-Feb. You obviously want to get your indentures in as soon as poss. if i were you i'd give him the deadline, fock it, you cant be waiting for him to say yea or nay...(keep sending out the CV in the meantime) In any event you if you have some FE1's to finish, you'll have time to get your application as you'll have to have your results. But still, he knows whether he has a space in his office, so why is he playing this game.

He's not obliged to pay you AND pay your fees (although its pretty much the norm to get paid, and at least half of your fees paid (at a minimum)

YOu'll be grand; keep sending out the C.V.s, (re-jig/refresh it at this stage) and put the head down!

C

mrosamabinladen

excellent, thanks

dats_right

I'm on the PPC1 at the moment and it is certainly not true to say that it is the norm for small firms to pay wages or fees or even a portion of them. It varies significantly. Some will pay, particularly if you were in the office pre ppc1, others will not. Fees are even more confusing, some will pay full fees, some will pay full fees on condition you apply and qualify for 3rd level grant and re-imburse that portion, others will pay a percentage usually half (ish), others pay nothing.

Of the 20 or so trainees in smaller firms that I know, it really is a mixed bag. However, I can't think of any who are being paid who weren't in the office pre ppc1. Of those who were in office pre ppc1 (the majority), I would say about 60% are being paid (longer in office = more likelihood of wages & contributiontowards or full fees).

johnnyskeleton

dats_right wrote: »

Of the 20 or so trainees in smaller firms that I know, it really is a mixed bag. However, I can't think of any who are being paid who weren't in the office pre ppc1. Of those who were in office pre ppc1 (the majority), I would say about 60% are being paid (longer in office = more likelihood of wages & contributiontowards or full fees).

And in the largest firms they often pay wages and fees during the course without the person setting foot in the office since the interviews.

_JOE_

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

And in the largest firms they often pay wages and fees during the course without the person setting foot in the office since the interviews.

It depends too on what stream you decide to do...you can as johnnyskeleton has said go straight on and spend your first three months either in or out of the office depending on what rotation basis you have decided to do...either way you you will be paid, so in essence, your yearly salary is only based on about 6mths in office work...

Punchesnpeaches

What is the story with 3rd level grants and Blackhall fees? If you qualify for a grant, will that pay some of your fees?

_JOE_

From the law society's page...

wrote:

Higher Education Grant Scheme
The Professional Practice Courses are accepted as post graduate study for grant purposes. Holders of grants should apply to their respective local authorities to have their grants extended. The Department of Education and Science, Portlaoise Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly will supply details of the scheme to the local authorities on request from those authorities.
Or
Mature Student Grant Scheme
Students who are twenty-three years of age or more on the 1st January in the year in which they begin their course can apply for a grant under this scheme. Application forms can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
Law Society Bursary Scheme
The Law Society operates a limited bursary scheme for each course. Application forms will be available on the registration day for each course. Any student who considers that his or her own resources or available family resources are inadequate to fund their study may apply for a bursary.
Access Programme
The Law Society operates an Access Programme which is open to those candidates who received support from access programmes at university.

Punchesnpeaches

Cool, thnks.

elgransenor

It is my understanding that in order for your solicitor to take you on as a trainee he ought to be recognised as a 'training solicitor' within the meaning of the law society's rules/regulations.
If he is unsure about all of the questions you have raised you would obviously be his first so I would check the regulations re 'training solicitor' in law society bumpf before wasting too much time educating a solicitor who is entering into a contract to educate you!

mrosamabinladen

i thought this too but he has other trainees in the office, it is kind of strange

randomer

Could it be that he is testing you to see what discovery and negotiation skills are like?

mrosamabinladen

can anyone tell me if payment during ppc2 in compulsory for solicitors? it says it is on the law soc website but i know this isn't always followed