Qualifying as a Solicitor with UK Firms

dashdoll

I know that most of the Magic Circle firms attended the TCD Law Fair today.

I didn't realise that they tend to recruit Irish grads regularly. Do they? I thought they would have enough distinguished grads to pick from in London!

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has experience of the recruitment process with them as I imagine it's even more competitive than here in Ireland?

Bepolite

dashdoll wrote: »

I know that most of the Magic Circle firms attended the TCD Law Fair today.

I didn't realise that they tend to recruit Irish grads regularly. Do they? I thought they would have enough distinguished grads to pick from in London!

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has experience of the recruitment process with them as I imagine it's even more competitive than here in Ireland?

I've actually heard the exact opposite in general terms. In England and Wales it seems becoming a solicitor is much easier than the barrister route with the reverse being true here. Of course I make no comment on what it's like when you're actually there.

In relation to top firms, no idea I'm afraid. The only experience I have is a friend of a friend getting offered a full-ride because he had some sort of microbiology degree, seems the English firms think outside the box a wee bit more.

Best of luck with it!

234

Bepolite wrote: »

I've actually heard the exact opposite in general terms. In England and Wales it seems becoming a solicitor is much easier than the barrister route with the reverse being true here. Of course I make no comment on what it's like when you're actually there.

In relation to top firms, no idea I'm afraid. The only experience I have is a friend of a friend getting offered a full-ride because he had some sort of microbiology degree, seems the English firms think outside the box a wee bit more.

Best of luck with it!

Quite a few people that I knew back in Trinity did it. They are definitely open to Irish grads.

sunshine and showers

They are definitely open to Irish graduates and one firm commented at a presentation I attended last year that they just don't get enough applications from Irish candidates. I think this is largely due to a perception that they only tend to hire from Oxbridge.

If you want to apply to a UK firm (and in particular the big ones) it would be a good idea to do English Land Law as a module. Some universities do enough of it in their land law modules to satisfy the Solicitors Regulatory Authority in England and Wales. UCD used to, but now offers a separate English Land Law module to meet requirements. It's not a necessity, per say, but it allows you to apply as a law graduate with the same recognition as an English graduate. Plus it saves the time and money of the "conversion course".

j80ezgvc3p92xu

What would be the procedure if, lets say, one was to qualify without doing English land law? Can you still apply for a TC with all the other students who have the required modules passed?

234

Hugo Silly Baboon wrote: »

What would be the procedure if, lets say, one was to qualify without doing English land law? Can you still apply for a TC with all the other students who have the required modules passed?

You would have to do it as part of the GDL. I don't know if a firm would recruit with a view to you joining in two years rather than one

dashdoll

234 wrote: »

You would have to do it as part of the GDL. I don't know if a firm would recruit with a view to you joining in two years rather than one

A lot of the City firms are recruiting for 2016 and even 2017 start dates.

sunshine and showers

The next round of applications for the magic circle firms will be for 2017. If you are good enough, they won't mind you doing the GDL. These companies hire non-law grads all the time.

I would double check with your uni to see if their property law module is up to scratch with the SRA first, though!