Blackhall Place Applications

Redo91

Hi. So I've thankfully passed the last of the FE1s as of the Spring sitting. Unfortunately I still haven't secured a traineeship. I had thought PPC-1 didn't start until late September/early October so the application window would be open a while yet. I looked up the Law Society website to see when is the deadline for applications but noticed that the timetable has been announced as starting on the 4th of September. I'm guessing this means the deadline for applications has now passed?

I've tried googling information on this but there appears to be nothing in relation to it. I can't seem to find the letter I received when I passed my last exams. Was there a form in there that I need that isn't on the website? Thanks in advance for any help.

Edit: Information on the PPCs seems very scarce which is obviously frustrating.

harleyheels

I think the applications stay open for as long as there is space left on the course, up until the start date obviously.

You need to have a traineeship secured before you can apply for PPC-1 though as you need a practicing solicitor to sign on as your training solicitor (like a supervisor for the duration of your traineeship) so unless you have someone who works in a firm that you can call on for a favour, you'll have to go to Blackhall in 2018.

Start looking for a traineeship now for next year's application, the few months' experience in an office will be invaluable when you start lectures/tutorials in Blackhall! Best of luck!

Redo91

harleyheels wrote: »

I think the applications stay open for as long as there is space left on the course, up until the start date obviously.

You need to have a traineeship secured before you can apply for PPC-1 though as you need a practicing solicitor to sign on as your training solicitor (like a supervisor for the duration of your traineeship) so unless you have someone who works in a firm that you can call on for a favour, you'll have to go to Blackhall in 2018.

Start looking for a traineeship now for next year's application, the few months' experience in an office will be invaluable when you start lectures/tutorials in Blackhall! Best of luck!

Thanks very much for the reply. Got through to the Law School and they said that although the deadline for applications closed last week they are still taking them up until the end of this month as there are a small number of places remaining.

I'm currently working as an intern with a solicitor since March. However she is sole practitioner without so much as a secretary so even though she has said she would love to take me on as a trainee she simply can't for logistical reasons (cost and space).

I do have an interview with a relatively large firm in Galway pencilled in for the first week in September. This is obviously too late to begin the PPC this coming September but it would be great if I had my traineeship secured for next year good and early.

Thanks again for the reply.

rbhtgh

Redo91 wrote: »

Thanks very much for the reply. Got through to the Law School and they said that although the deadline for applications closed last week they are still taking them up until the end of this month as there are a small number of places remaining.

I'm currently working as an intern with a solicitor since March. However she is sole practitioner without so much as a secretary so even though she has said she would love to take me on as a trainee she simply can't for logistical reasons (cost and space).

I do have an interview with a relatively large firm in Galway pencilled in for the first week in September. This is obviously too late to begin the PPC this coming September but it would be great if I had my traineeship secured for next year good and early.

Thanks again for the reply.

Hi, how did you get on in the end? I'm hoping to start blackhall in 2019. Problem is I only have about 7 or 8 months legal experience from a few years ago. Dreading mentioning in an interview what I've been up to the last few years....family health issues so had to run the farm

hullaballoo

If you were running a farm, tbh most employers would see that as a positive provided you didn't run it aground.

It's not like you were on the dole, you were running a small business and contributing in a valuable way to society (unless it is a poppy farm! )

randomrb

rbhtgh wrote: »

Hi, how did you get on in the end? I'm hoping to start blackhall in 2019. Problem is I only have about 7 or 8 months legal experience from a few years ago. Dreading mentioning in an interview what I've been up to the last few years....family health issues so had to run the farm

I wouldn't worry too much, once your academic side is strong and if you have the FE1s it is good enough.

Experience in different areas is very valuable, just try and get across what ypu have learned and how that is transferable, are you looking at big or small firms?

rbhtgh

No poppies and they better not be vegan haha! I got really interested in the corporate side of things doing the FE1s so I'll apply to some of the bigger firms in the new year. I didn't do any internships except in small firms which mightn't suit. High 2.1 BCL and LLM.

When the bigger firms ask about leaving cert points, do they really not consider you unless you have really high? Seems a bit daft 12 years on

Kim_Ber_Ley93

It seems that way that the LC is a big part in choosing candidates, I have found. It's ridiculous at this stage, especially once the FE1s are passed..

FE!student

I have been looking at the requirements for trainees on the Law Society website and note that trainees must obtain experience in Block 1 – Conveyancing and Landlord and Tenant. However I recently interviewed with a firm which does not have a conveyancing practice. I am wondering if this would be an issue in meeting the Law Society requirements for a traineeship.

Redo91

It’s common practice for some bigger firms not to do rotations and you will remain in the one department. You won’t fall foul of any of the requirements. There’s the option of a secondment but don’t know how often trainees in large firms do that. Im