Question about training contract?

sophya

To qualify as a solicitor, do you have to secure a training contract with a firm? Asking cause I'm currently on jobbridge in a civil service legal division.

Wondering if I was able to get a full time position and get them to fund my training contract would that be ok? Currently working under a Barrister but if they do agree to fund it, I would be working under a solicitor. Or would that not be sufficient, and I need to send a load of letters off to firms?

NoQuarter

There is alternatives to training in an actual solicitors firm, I know of someone who did their training contract in the County Council's legal department. What you have to do is call the law society and ask them, its not usual enough for somebody here to advise you.

You probably need all 8 Fe-1s too, but I'd check that out to be sure.

Dandelion6

You need to be training under a suitably qualified solicitor, it doesn't matter where that solicitor works (although you may need to be seconded during your traineeship to ensure you cover all the required areas). I know someone training at An Post and another person who trained at an NGO that has a legal department.

And yes you do need all FE1s.

dats_right

I wouldn't see any difficulty with this provided of course they agree and:

(i) The solicitor is eligible to become a Training Solicitor (i.e. must currecntly be practising and have at some stage practised for at least 4 continuous years).

(ii) You obtain experience in the required areas of conveyancing and landlord & tenant, litigation, and two of the other specified areas of practice. If the Training Solicitor or organisation you will be working for cannot provide you with expericence in all of the necessary areas it should be possible to obtain a secondment in another firm that will provide you with experience in those areas.

Dandelion6

Dandelion6 wrote: »

And yes you do need all FE1s.

Just for clarity's sake, I should have said you need all eight FE1s to get into Blackhall. Whether you need them all to be taken on as a trainee is a matter for your training solicitor (subject to the rule that only four months of pre-Blackhall training will count towards your qualification).

Predalien

I think the biggest hurdle would be getting the public sector to give you a paid job, they've been using jobbridge to fill gaps with no intention of creating positions (very useful for them as the money for it comes from the welfare budget). Best of luck though.

sophya

Predalien wrote: »

I think the biggest hurdle would be getting the public sector to give you a paid job, they've been using jobbridge to fill gaps with no intention of creating positions (very useful for them as the money for it comes from the welfare budget). Best of luck though.

I know, the uncertainty is the worst. I'm gonna take to my supervisor, the barrister,next week about the possibility. Even if she's able to give me contacts of solicitors who may take me on or who I should talk to would be something.

But I am clinging to hope, working hard, clearing my desk and asking for more work constantly. Jobbridge ends in June this year and my internship runs to July. So hope they see my value and want to keep me. And me being qualified would be better for them

Dandelion6

Predalien wrote: »

I think the biggest hurdle would be getting the public sector to give you a paid job

That's not just a problem in the public sector unfortunately, there are plenty of trainees in private solicitors' firms working for free

McCrack

Dandelion6 wrote: »

That's not just a problem in the public sector unfortunately, there are plenty of trainees in private solicitors' firms working for free

Very wrong and very dangerous for any employer to do this. There is nothing preventing the employee taking the employer to Rights Commissioner and claiming all the unpaid wages and more and I hope trainees do that once they qualify. Its just not on doing that to people.

Dandelion6

I agree McCrack but people are desperate for training contracts and they have to find work once they qualify. The only way I can see anything changing is if the solicitors who are paying their trainees take this on and flush out the ones who aren't, making it unacceptable not to pay trainees' wages and giving unpaid trainees the confidence to fight for their rights. Unfortunately this is unlikely to happen, I suspect a lot of solicitors are secretly hoping the law changes to allow them do it too.