PPC1 - new to law and unsure what to expect

lablab

am a non law grad and am unsure what to expect in the PPC1 - is there anyone out there who can give me some advice based on their own experience as to how I might prepare?

ie should I start reading now and if so can you recommend a book?
Where can I get a look at the exam papers before I start?
Will I have the time to do a diploma at the Law Soc while I am there?

Farcear

Before that.

(1) Have you passed your FE-1s?
(2) Have you got a training contract with a qualified solicitor?

lablab

Farcear wrote: »

Before that.

(1) Have you passed your FE-1s?
(2) Have you got a training contract with a qualified solicitor?

Yip and Yip - can you fill me in?

jblack

You will not have time to do a diploma while attending PPCI but you can between PPCI and II - it may even earn you an exemption from a PPCII subject.

To set up I think you need 3 years PQE although I could be wrong. Insurance quotes will be insane and you should prepare for about 5 years of living off crumby criminal matters, debt collection and immigration before you can build up a decent practice.

As nuac points out you would be far better off getting some proper experience before venturing out on your own but that's just my experience.

As for earning - I know of equity partners in a small law firm that earn more than equity partners in Slaughter and May or Allen and Overy. I also know equity partners in small firms who make less than a bus boy. How long is a piece of string.

Farcear

lablab wrote: »

ie should I start reading now and if so can you recommend a book?

No. You should not read anything now.

There is a school of though that says you don't need to read *anything* for the first 3/4 months of PPCI...

lablab wrote: »

Where can I get a look at the exam papers before I start?

You get exam papers with a month or so to go before the exams. You do not need to see them at this stage. They are like the FE1 exams but exclusively the "problem question" style, i.e. Advise Mary. No essays.

lablab wrote: »

Will I have the time to do a diploma at the Law Soc while I am there?

I disagree with jblack. You will have time to do a diploma (and people do) but...

It will mean that you are doing actual work on PPCI -- some students like the time off -- and you may require sign-off from your training solicitor.

chops018

I always thought the PPC courses were practical rather than reading books etc?

jblack

Farcear wrote: »

I disagree with jblack.

How dare you...

Actually, now that you've corrected me I agree. You'd be fine to do a Diploma on PPC I - although if you haven't done law as a primary degree and you're not that strong in areas that are not covered by FE-1 prep then maybe you could be asking a little too much from yourself.

blueythebear

lablab wrote: »

am a non law grad and am unsure what to expect in the PPC1 - is there anyone out there who can give me some advice based on their own experience as to how I might prepare?

ie should I start reading now and if so can you recommend a book?
Where can I get a look at the exam papers before I start?
Will I have the time to do a diploma at the Law Soc while I am there?

I think that your expectations are somewhat skewed. You don't need to do an awful lot of work to get through PPC I, even as a non-law graduate. You have passed the FE-1s so you're versed enough in law to get through PPC I and II.

It's intended as practical and is to a degree but it's impossible to cover all of the practical requirements of being a solicitor in the 8 months or so of PPC I and II.

You'd have the time to do a Diploma during PPC I most likely but you'd have to do some work then. Believe me, when you get there, work will be the last thing on your mind!

murrayp4

Is it realistic/doable to keep up a full time evening job while doing the PPC?

Farcear

murrayp4 wrote: »

Is it realistic/doable to keep up a full time evening job while doing the PPC?

Mandatory tutorials can last up until around 5 / 5:30 on various days.

Timetable is erratic and subject to change -- you could conceivably work a schedule around it but you would need a very accommodating employer.

lablab

what jobs would people normally do when they go to PPC1?
is it mainly bar/restaurant work? i would think office work is out of the question

murrayp4

Just looking at the schedule of fees on the LS website and it has separate charges for examinations?
Do you have to pay more on top of the 8,350 to sit the exams at the end of PPC1?