FE1 Exam Thread (Read 1st post!) NOTICE: YOU MAY SWAP EXAM GRIDS

Seziertisch

Does anyone have any recommendations for tutors offering one-on-one FE1 prep in Dublin? Specifically someone who would be able to correct exam questions for me and provide me with feedback.

The subjects I am doing are EU, Contract, Equity and Criminal.

Thanks.

Mod
Sorry we don't recommend particular tutors nor courses on this forum.

Mario07

You have any hints how to study company? I find the language used in it hard and in exam can you just write off from act n get marks??

ciarocxcc

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

Small Wonder

ciarocxcc wrote: »

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

You've two full months off and you're wondering if attempting 4 exams is too much? Seriously, I know they're tough but it's not NASA. I'm doing EU, Company, Criminal and Constitutional. My final four. I've one week booked off work and I intend on passing them all.

Tony_TwoLegs

ciarocxcc wrote: »

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

I passed those 4 while working fulltime (out of the house from 8am to 7pm). Unless you're getting paid while taking time off - there's no need. If you've a law degree, you'll have done these before. If not, you'll be grand anyways. Two months is overkill. That's my opinion.
Maybe take 3 or 4 weeks!? I used to study 06-08am and 7-9pm, for 6 weeks before, and weekends.

moomin2901

Tony_TwoLegs wrote: »

I passed those 4 while working fulltime (out of the house from 8am to 7pm). Unless you're getting paid while taking time off - there's no need. If you've a law degree, you'll have done these before. If not, you'll be grand anyways. Two months is overkill. That's my opinion.
Maybe take 3 or 4 weeks!? I used to study 06-08am and 7-9pm, for 6 weeks before, and weekends.

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

HappyKitten62

moomin2901 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

yournerd

HappyKitten62 wrote: »

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

I would scrap notes, id focus on sample answers and exam answers then making notes on stuff you find the hardest etc

HappyKitten62

yournerd wrote: »

I would scrap notes, id focus on sample answers and exam answers then making notes on stuff you find the hardest etc

If I scrap notes, I won’t know the material! Have to start somewhere I’m afraid. Sample answers are extremely important but no way am I ignoring the syllabus in favour of possible qs. You never know what will come up.

Charlie Gove MP

Hello folks.

Just a general question about the scope of reading.

I have a lot of books, like the hardback stuff by McDermott, Charleton, Wylie etc.

How much detail do I have to go into?

I feel I am reading stuff that might be too detailed....it's almost stuff I think you would be reading once you get into the Law Society rather than stuff you read to get into the Law Society.

Just my €0.02.

Thanks.

Redhighking

Charlie Gove MP wrote: »

Hello folks.

Just a general question about the scope of reading.

I have a lot of books, like the hardback stuff by McDermott, Charleton, Wylie etc.

How much detail do I have to go into?

I feel I am reading stuff that might be too detailed....it's almost stuff I think you would be reading once you get into the Law Society rather than stuff you read to get into the Law Society.

Just my €0.02.

Thanks.

Detail wise you only need to know the key underlining cases and relevant legislation, you do not need any academic commentary.

I would advise trying to get your hand on the FE manuals from one of the colleges.

Tony_TwoLegs

moomin2901 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

Yeah my strategy was the same. It is time consuming to bullet point or condense manuals but it's effective as you're engaging with the material and studying.
I was probably tied up doing this until the 2 weeks before the exam.
I also wrote out a topic header and all the relevant case names on an A4 and a couple of key words next to each case.

moomin2901

Tony_TwoLegs wrote: »

Yeah my strategy was the same. It is time consuming to bullet point or condense manuals but it's effective as you're engaging with the material and studying.
I was probably tied up doing this until the 2 weeks before the exam.
I also wrote out a topic header and all the relevant case names on an A4 and a couple of key words next to each case.

Thanks for reply. Feel assured I am on the right track now, phew!

moomin2901

HappyKitten62 wrote: »

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

Hi, I was going to type, but my typing speed is horrific. I might try again. What subjects are you doing? Are you working form manuals?

moomin2901

Just wondering is anyone else on the Access programme ?

HappyKitten62

moomin2901 wrote: »

Hi, I was going to type, but my typing speed is horrific. I might try again. What subjects are you doing? Are you working form manuals?

I'm doing Company, Criminal, EU & Equity. Yes I have the manuals I bought them off a girl who did them last year! Yourself?

lisac223

Can anyone give some tips on how you should mark your legislation? I know you're allowed tab and highlight but do ye do it by topic, by section etc.? This will be my first time bringing anything in and the companies act is so huge I'm not sure where to start! Thanks :-)

Small Wonder

lisac223 wrote: »

Can anyone give some tips on how you should mark your legislation? I know you're allowed tab and highlight but do ye do it by topic, by section etc.? This will be my first time bringing anything in and the companies act is so huge I'm not sure where to start! Thanks :-)

The simplest answer is mark it however you like. I simply highlight the most important sections within the index for quick access, then underline key passages of text. But you'll see people in the exam with multiple colour tabs and highlighters, perhaps each colour is a topic. I don't know. Use your imagination. Just don't write anything!

JohnsKite

Have there been any major revolutions in tort over the last few years? Haven't covered it since 2015, are my old notes still up to date?

lisac223

JohnsKite wrote: »

Have there been any major revolutions in tort over the last few years? Haven't covered it since 2015, are my old notes still up to date?

I can only really think of damages with the new act (Civil Liability Amendment Act 2017). I did a full question on that in March and it definitely saved my crappy professional negligence question! Only other thing I can think of is passing off has a couple of 2018 cases and there is actually a 2019 one that sums up the main points quite well (Galway Free Range Eggs v O'Brien). Also the UCC v ESB [2018] case is really important in nuisance.

holliek

I'm so confused by causation in tort inparticular legal causation. In some notes, novus actus and res ipsa loquitor seem to come under it - is this right?
And then is remoteness a seperate issue again?

randomrb

holliek wrote: »

I'm so confused by causation in tort inparticular legal causation. In some notes, novus actus and res ipsa loquitor seem to come under it - is this right?
And then is remoteness a seperate issue again?

I would be wary of trying to separate out issues and topics too much. They seem to be moving towards more joined up and overlapping questions every year. Its now hard to justify leaving out anything or not reviewing anything for some subjects.

In saying that those three issues would come under Causation in my opinion

holliek

randomrb wrote: »

I would be wary of trying to separate out issues and topics too much. They seem to be moving towards more joined up and overlapping questions every year. Its now hard to justify leaving out anything or not reviewing anything for some subjects.

In saying that those three issues would come under Causation in my opinion

OK that's great to know thank you! Would you be able to tell me what exactly is legal causation? I can't figure it out

Redhighking

holliek wrote: »

OK that's great to know thank you! Would you be able to tell me what exactly is legal causation? I can't figure it out

Causation is a two steps process:


1. Once factual causation is proven i.e. the plaintiff has shown that there is a scientific link between the defendant's negligence and their injuries,

2. the plaintiff must then prove there is legal causation, this requires the plaintiff proving the blame for their injuries should attributed to the defendant as a matter of law.

saraocallaghan

Hi All,

I'm starting to do my Property revision and I'm pretty nailed down on 4 questions, 2 x succession, adverse possession and easements. I'm thinking of doing co-ownership as my 5th question going by the grids I have, it appears quite regularly. Going by previous posters, landlord and tenant is a question that's rather hefty and to be avoided if possible - I'm trying to be smart with my studying from outset as the last time I attempted them, I over studied and as a result wasn't smart with my time.

Thanks!

mountaingoat97

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm starting to do my Property revision and I'm pretty nailed down on 4 questions, 2 x succession, adverse possession and easements. I'm thinking of doing co-ownership as my 5th question going by the grids I have, it appears quite regularly. Going by previous posters, landlord and tenant is a question that's rather hefty and to be avoided if possible - I'm trying to be smart with my studying from outset as the last time I attempted them, I over studied and as a result wasn't smart with my time.

Thanks!

Co-ownership as a 5th would be wise. I'd also recommend doing Finding. its probably the easiest/shortest chapter on the whole FE1 course. it'd be crazy to leave it out imo.

leavingcert17

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

lawless11

leavingcert17 wrote: »

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

Study as much as you can, as simple as an answer as it may sound. Equity can seem tricky and you need to know a lot of details and the same goes for Constitutional. I didn't leave out much at all out of constitutional because I found the questions really hard - so do also lot of past exam papers and try and compare it to sample answers. Sometimes while studying I could not even identify the issues, so that's a real difficulty in that exam I feel.
For equity I skipped a few themes that I never did and was uncomfortable with like secret trusts. But I covered a lot anyway - again I feel past papers were useful. As you failed it twice, maybe it would be beneficial to see what you did (you can ask the law society for scanned transcripts by email). A good structure/logic is important for equity. And case law.

Anyway I did 5 on my first session so you can do it!

Yohnathan

leavingcert17 wrote: »

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

I failed Equity twice and also struggled with Tort and felt comfortable with both however I felt uncomfortable with EU and Constitutional and ended up flying them. The two I had heard form everyone were the hardest.
Sometimes feeling like a subject is difficult to understand can be enough for you to pass it. You're probably reading into certain additional areas trying to clarify things and that will end up sticking in the exam!
As for ones you feel comfortable with, sometimes this can lead to complacency.
You'll be grand! Do the five.

mariussulla1977

Hi there

I am finally taking these exams seriously.My degree is an LLB but I have worked away from the law for a few years. I have spent a few years on and off giving them a lukewarm attempt now and then. However I am now determined to get some of these finished. I have time off from work for next few months till the exams in October and I have all the manuals from Griffith and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how many exams I could attempt in one go. I was thinking 5.

Also, which exams would be the best to start with.

Would really appreciate any advice.