LLM graduate (no LLB) planning to sit FE-1s in April 2014

sarahjones

Hello there, I'm new to this whole boards thing but hoping someone out there can give me some advice.

I don't have an undergraduate degree in law but graduated last year with an LLM in International Human Rights Law. I've spent the last 6 months working as a legal intern with a human rights organization in Colombia and am now planning to sit 4 FE-1 exams in the April 2014 sitting. I don't really know where to start with regards to preparation so I'm hoping someone may be able to give me advice on this!

Should I be starting right now?? How many hours a week from now do you think are required to study for 4 exams? As I don't have an undergraduate degree in law and have never done anything on any of the FE-1 topics, would I be crazy to attempt them without doing a preparation course and rely on the past papers and Griffith manuals? Despite not having done law before, I took to it fairly well in the masters and graduated with a distinction. Human rights was incredibly interesting though so I didn't mind the studying. I've looked up the Griffith college course and although in principal I would be very interested in doing it, I just don't think it's feasible for me financially. By the looks of it the course has already started aswell.

I would be so grateful for any advice on this! thanks a million,

Sarah

NoQuarter

If its not feasible financially, then thats that. Get the manuals now and learn them off cover to cover and you will pass. If you cant understand any of the topics after you cover a manual, get someone to sit down with you for a couple of hours for grinds to run through it. Shouldn't cost too much at all.

Should you be starting now to pass 4 FE-1s? A law grad should start now, you should have started weeks ago so I wouldnt waste a moment more. As to how long per day, nobody could tell you that. As long as it will take you to know that manual cover to cover. Good luck.

234

sarahjones wrote: »

I don't have an undergraduate degree in law but graduated last year with an LLM in International Human Rights Law.

Despite not having done law before, I took to it fairly well in the masters and graduated with a distinction. Human rights was incredibly interesting though so I didn't mind the studying.
Sarah

International human law is incredibly different to the kind of law you find at a domestic level. Even domestic human rights issues (i.e. constitutional rights) are of a very different nature. Prepare for a large adjustment.

Studying international human right is about as far away from the normal experience of law as you can get while still studying law; and that's not intended to be in any way disparaging.

sarahjones

Thanks a million for that, very helpful. Sorry, excuse my ignorance on this one but is it possible to buy the manuals directly from Griffith,city, independent etc. or do you have to do the course with them ie. the only way would be to get them without doing the course would be to buy second-hand through done deal or something similar?

234

I don't believe that the colleges will sell them. But there is a thread on this forum dedicated to those looking to sell/buy these manuals.

sarahjones

234 wrote: »

International human law is incredibly different to the kind of law you find at a domestic level. Even domestic human rights issues (i.e. constitutional rights) are of a very different nature. Prepare for a large adjustment.

Studying international human right is about as far away from the normal experience of law as you can get while still studying law; and that's not intended to be in any way disparaging.

Thanks for your post. I did a bit of constitutional law on specific countries and it was intricate stuff. I'm expecting the FE-1s to be hell on earth.