Law society postgraduate diploma?

BuzzMcdonnell

I’m graduating next year from University in an area unrelated to law. I’ve taken some law modules as my minor option, however, and it really appeals to me.

Is it worth my while to do the postgraduate diploma in law to prepare me to potentially take the FE-1’s? Another option is to use the diploma as a taking point in any potential future applications for the Gardai.

Would I even get a training contract without a law degree?

I’d appreciate any help, I’m a bit uninformed here!

hullaballoo

You don't need any legal education to sit FE1s although they are difficult exams to prepare for even for very good law undergraduates. It probably depends on how diligent a student you are whether you could successfully pass them on foot of solo prep though.

In terms of training contracts etc. having a point of difference in your application such as a non law degree will only stand to you, particularly if it is in a field that is of interest to law firms. Think about tech, sciences, finance ryc. If you have a decent degree under your belt in a non law area, highlight it and make the most of the difference. There are any number of straight law grads from big colleges who were involved in debating societies and did a few day's work for charity. They're ten a penny these days. An engineer who worked on a hydroelectric scheme in Tanzania is far more interesting as a prospective trainee, just as an example.

If you think it would help you to get some formal tuition in law, I would advise looking for a tutor rather than going for prep courses. Cheaper and you can hire or fire a tutor who's not up to much whereas if you pay fees for a prep course, you're more or less stuck with what they give you and can't do much about it if it's rubbish.