Help with getting started for FE-1's

chops018

Hey everyone,

I hope the moderator doesn't move this to another thread as that has happened before and I've got no help at all. Wanted to start a thread on its own for getting started on the FE-1's as the other threads seem to have discussions on previous exams rather than tips for prospective exams and new people trying to get started.

Just want advice for the FE-1's, not planning on taking 4 till March 2012 but the earlier to get started the better. Just finished a Masters in Law too so I'm still a little bit fresh

Anyway I have no starting point at all on the FE-1's, I know about the exams themselves but after reading the other threads I read all about "manuals" and past exam papers, would these be good to get??

Also how did anyone who did the exams get started into them?? did they just get the relevant texts and latest syllabus and start studying away themselves and practising old questions??

Finally, are the revision/preparatory courses leading up to the exams any good, are they worth the €1,500??

Any other info in general about getting started on studying would be hugely helpful.

Mfwic_47

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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 17
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I am applying to City Colleges for their FE-1 course. I have background in USA conveyancing and some contract work. After I pick Property, Contract and Equity, what would be the easiest of the remaining five courses, Tort, possibly? I was told to stay away from EU Law and Constituional, so that leaves Company, Criminal & Tort.

I'm an old fart at 68 and my student days are long behind me, so I want easy.

chops018

Bit of a zombie thread but anyways.

I have long since completed the FE1's and I am now doing a traineeship.

I'd say you should put your post in the FE1 Exam Thread - it regularly appears on the first page of the Legal Discussion forum but here is the link: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056907164&page=406

It depends on yourself what you find hard. I found Tort very difficult, Company also, on the other hand I found Constitutional and EU easier and they are usually regarded as the more difficult ones.

As I said, make your post in the FE1 exam thread and you should get a more up to date response as I finished these exams in March 2014.

With regards your age - you will hear people say you're never too old to do something, however if you're just doing it as a hobby rather than actually starting a new career then maybe it would be better for you to go down the Bar and do the Kings Inns exams and year BL course to be a Barrister.

You do know to become a Solicitor you will have to do the FE1's, and assuming you pass them in a year and obtain a training contract almost right away, it's a further 2 and a half years between Blackhall and training before you qualify, that's potentially 71-72 when you qualify. Not to mention the huge competition for training contracts. But you could know someone already willing to give you a training contract, or already have a training contract lined up for after the FE1's, so if you do apologies.

I just think at your age going down the Bar would be better as you would have the BL qualification after a year, then you get devilling and can basically work for yourself after that (if you find/are given work of course).

My 2 cents anyway - other people could differ, and at the end of the day if you want to give it a go and it makes you happy then don't listen to anyone else and get cracking.

The very best of luck if you do choose to do it.