Best way to become a solicitor ?

Melodie31

Hello everyone.
I am currently studying law in France, and I will be finishing my first degree next year. My goal is to practice law in Ireland. I have a dilemma.
I was thinking of doing an LLB in TCD but, it would be 4 more years, knowing that I will already have study law for 3 years (a completely different law, for sure, but still), plus I'm not sure how to apply, because I'm not really a school leavers, but I'm not a mature student either because I'm 21, so I will be 22 when I will be applying.

My other idea would be to do an LLM, but I don't think it allows you to become a solicitor in Ireland. Because, if I understood correctly, you have to take specific courses to qualify.

I was wondering if anyone had a idea on what would be the best ?

thanks a lot !

Melodie

Thirdfox

Salut Melodie,

I'd recommend you to look at the law society's website as they are the body that governs the roll of solicitors in Ireland.

You will find that you do not need to have an LLB/BCL or LLM etc to be eligible for their professional course (FE-1, PPC1 and PPC2).

As an overseas applicant this may be more applicable:
http://www.lawsociety.ie/Pages/Public-Becoming-a-Solicitor-CMS/Overseas-Applicants/

and for Irish applicants:
http://www.lawsociety.ie/Pages/Public-Becoming-a-Solicitor-CMS/Irish-Applicants-Solicitor/

I imagine the toughest bit would be securing a training contract from a law firm as otherwise you will not be eligible to start your traineeship process.

Just to be clear - a law degree in Ireland doesn't entitle you to much of anything (for Irish applicants you only need a third level degree of any description - or technically you can even attend the course as a non-graduate). The training contract is key for Irish applicants.

It's a tough market right now - I'm currently sitting my PPC2 course so I'm almost finished my traineeship, a lot of my friends have emigrated due to lack of work here. And you'll be competing with qualified solicitors who have lost their jobs recently. However, if you have considered all the pros and cons then definitely follow your dreams! Have a look at the legal discussion forum on boards.ie too for advice on becoming a solicitor.

Finally - I would not recommend doing a LLB/BCL/LLM here (unless you want to do it for the academic reasons). It would be much quicker to get "stuck in" and start the traineeship route/foreign lawyer conversion route.

Cordially,
Third

Melodie31

Thirdfox wrote: »

Salut Melodie,

I'd recommend you to look at the law society's website as they are the body that governs the roll of solicitors in Ireland.

You will find that you do not need to have an LLB/BCL or LLM etc to be eligible for their professional course (FE-1, PPC1 and PPC2).

As an overseas applicant this may be more applicable:
http://www.lawsociety.ie/Pages/Public-Becoming-a-Solicitor-CMS/Overseas-Applicants/

and for Irish applicants:
http://www.lawsociety.ie/Pages/Public-Becoming-a-Solicitor-CMS/Irish-Applicants-Solicitor/

I imagine the toughest bit would be securing a training contract from a law firm as otherwise you will not be eligible to start your traineeship process.

Just to be clear - a law degree in Ireland doesn't entitle you to much of anything (for Irish applicants you only need a third level degree of any description - or technically you can even attend the course as a non-graduate). The training contract is key for Irish applicants.

It's a tough market right now - I'm currently sitting my PPC2 course so I'm almost finished my traineeship, a lot of my friends have emigrated due to lack of work here. And you'll be competing with qualified solicitors who have lost their jobs recently. However, if you have considered all the pros and cons then definitely follow your dreams! Have a look at the legal discussion forum on boards.ie too for advice on becoming a solicitor.

Finally - I would not recommend doing a LLB/BCL/LLM here (unless you want to do it for the academic reasons). It would be much quicker to get "stuck in" and start the traineeship route/foreign lawyer conversion route.

Cordially,
Third

Thanks for your answer. Yes I know it's a tough market but, as you say, it is my dream. It think you're right, it might be better not to do an LLB. The only thing I'm scared of is that it might be really hard to find a trainee contract without having studying in Ireland. On the other hand, I specialising in intellectual property and company law so an international component in my resume might be good. But yes, finding a trainee contract is my biggest fear ...

To get into Blackhall (the training college to become a solicitor), you have to first sit exams called the FE1's. You can sit these without a law degree as long as you have a degree from any university (I'm sure they would accept a degree from a foreign university). Perhaps you could look into simply doing these exams as even if you have an Irish law degree you have to do them anyway. There are preparatory courses available from Independent Colleges and Griffith College.