Trainee Solicitor Support Group

Lallers96

Feel free to use this thread for any talk about life as a Trainee Solicitor, any questions or queries relating to the upcoming PPC in 2021/22, any news or info, and anything else you feel relevant.

I would advise we all keep up the anonymity of boards.ie, but just stay professional and don't say anything you wouldn't be happy to show to your managing partner. Just to cover yourself because we are a niche group of people and given enough thought I'm sure we could figure out who is who.

CMUL

Has anyone seen last year's timetable? There is a link in this years application form but it doesnt seem to work? Thanks

FE1Hopefully1

Would anyone have any advice on who to ask for the character reference ? Asked my two previous employers but scared now I won’t get them in time as the deadline is so soon

Anyone have any suggestions on who else to ask ?

starfishxxo

FE1Hopefully1 wrote: »

Would anyone have any advice on who to ask for the character reference ? Asked my two previous employers but scared now I won’t get them in time as the deadline is so soon

Anyone have any suggestions on who else to ask ?

My understanding is that, as a character reference, it doesnt need to be an employer, so perhaps a supervisor/superior if you're involved with any charitable initiatives, or clubs, teams, etc?

Also, the info pack specifies they must be "original (not copies)" ... does that mean that references sent my email would not suffice?:rolleyes:

FE1Hopefully1

starfishxxo wrote: »

My understanding is that, as a character reference, it doesnt need to be an employer, so perhaps a supervisor/superior if you're involved with any charitable initiatives, or clubs, teams, etc?

Also, the info pack specifies they must be "original (not copies)" ... does that mean that references sent my email would not suffice?:rolleyes:

Unfortunately the only club I’m involved in is one we own and it cant Be someone related to you.

I might email a lecturer although I’m out of college two years now but hopefully he’ll write be one ... I think they’re just a formality tbh the trainee in my firm said the solicitor just wrote her like a one sentence statement haha

Lallers96

For the character references I asked 2 of my best friends, one is a Supervisor and I have worked with him in the past for a brief period and we have been friends for the guts of a decade and the other is a college friend who I've known for 5 years and lived with for 2 years and he is a Garda which I suppose is enough for "a person of standing" as required.

I assume that's fine as from what I can gather it just can't be an employment reference it has to be someone who has some standing themselves, to say that you would make a good solicitor and are of good character (ridiculous stuff really). Oh and it also can't be a relative either.

Lallers96

Does anyone know where to find the up to date Indentures of Apprenticeships post 2020? The ones on the LS website have SAMPLE written over them

CMUL

Lallers96 wrote: »

Does anyone know where to find the up to date Indentures of Apprenticeships post 2020? The ones on the LS website have SAMPLE written over them

It says on the info pack the indentures are sent directly to the solicitor for signing by both of you after your application is received

Lallers96

OK so you have to apply to PPC 1/Hybrid first?

holliek

Starting to fill out application and already stuck on Form 1…
On the first page, I just want to check which paragraph I fill out. I’m currently doing a preseat so would it be the 2nd paragraph? As I will be carrying 4 months, the first blank will be 20 months not 24? Hope this makes sense!

Lallers96

No I don't think you change the time when you're already in office. I think only after 18 months of your TC can you apply for credit pre PPC, I'm open to being corrected though. I'm in the same boat as you and I left in the "full time basis to commence on a date that will be fourteen days after the date of PPC 1 ending. Although that's not what I'm doing as I am also doing a" pre seat", and I think you just apply for credit a good bit into your training

holliek

Lallers96 wrote: »

No I don't think you change the time when you're already in office. I think only after 18 months of your TC can you apply for credit pre PPC, I'm open to being corrected though. I'm in the same boat as you and I left in the "full time basis to commence on a date that will be fourteen days after the date of PPC 1 ending. Although that's not what I'm doing as I am also doing a" pre seat", and I think you just apply for credit a good bit into your training

Ah thank you. Ok so I just still fill it in as 24 months. And are you deleting paragraph 1&3 then?

holliek

Is your student number the same as the Law Society ID/FE1 number?

Required on disability form(DN1)

Lawlz

holliek wrote: »

Starting to fill out application and already stuck on Form 1…
On the first page, I just want to check which paragraph I fill out. I’m currently doing a preseat so would it be the 2nd paragraph? As I will be carrying 4 months, the first blank will be 20 months not 24? Hope this makes sense!

I have the same query!

I noticed on form 1 it just say ‘professional practice course’ and doesn’t distinguish between PPC1 and PPC2.

I presume it’s just a given that it is PPC1?

I want to back date mine too and selected this one.

Can anyone also clarify that it is definitely PPC1 they are referring to?

Cheers

holliek

Birth certificates not being issued due to HSE attack, in case anyone (like me) needs to order for the application.

Not sure how to get around that one

holliek

I’m stuck on the certified copy of my degree. I have the parchment but unsure what it is that I need to do next?

Lallers96

holliek wrote: »

I’m stuck on the certified copy of my degree. I have the parchment but unsure what it is that I need to do next?

If you have transcripts for your college results those will suffice. If it's a copy of the degree then you need to get that certified by a solicitor. All it is is a stamp and they sign it to say its a true document.

aecc

Update from Law Society below re start date. They're doing their best in the current climate to be fair.

'The full time course is scheduled to commence on the 8th of September 2021.

Unfortunately we are still awaiting clarification from the Department of Higher Education. Once we receive clarification we will advise students accordingly. We appreciate arrangements need to be made for the upcoming course. I would suggest keeping an eye on the Law Society website.

In the meantime I would suggest working on your application. The application pack is now available on the Law Society website and can be submitted. The closing date is the 1st of July 2021.

Apologies we cannot give a definitive answer to you but once we know we will advise accordingly.'

rightytighty

Is this in relation to it being in person or not?

aecc wrote: »

Update from Law Society below re start date. They're doing their best in the current climate to be fair.

'The full time course is scheduled to commence on the 8th of September 2021.

Unfortunately we are still awaiting clarification from the Department of Higher Education. Once we receive clarification we will advise students accordingly. We appreciate arrangements need to be made for the upcoming course. I would suggest keeping an eye on the Law Society website.

In the meantime I would suggest working on your application. The application pack is now available on the Law Society website and can be submitted. The closing date is the 1st of July 2021.

Apologies we cannot give a definitive answer to you but once we know we will advise accordingly.'

WesternC123

Has anyone got a letter from FE1 section confirming they've completed all 8 exams? or does anyone know how to go about getting such letter?

Lallers96

WesternC123 wrote: »

Has anyone got a letter from FE1 section confirming they've completed all 8 exams? or does anyone know how to go about getting such letter?

Email them at the fe1section email. I think there is a hard to find spot on the LS website where you can print off a request form. I did both about 3 weeks ago now and still waiting to get it back. Its the last thing I need for my PPC Application

aecc

rightytighty wrote: »

Is this in relation to it being in person or not?

Yes.

FE1Hopefully1

Has anyone been able to select an iPad yet or do we have to wait until they confirm our application - said we have to select it by 9th of July

holliek

There’s a form to fill if your firm has other trainees. Requires their date of indentures and commencement date of in-office training. Is the first date let’s say their pre-seat (if they did one) and the second after PPC1?

If they didn’t do a pre seat would both dates be the same then?

awsah

holliek wrote: »

There’s a form to fill if your firm has other trainees. Requires their date of indentures and commencement date of in-office training. Is the first date let’s say their pre-seat (if they did one) and the second after PPC1?

If they didn’t do a pre seat would both dates be the same then?

Commencement date is two weeks after they finished ppc1, indentures date would be when they were applying for ppc1, the trainee should be able to tell you

nicolesd

hey guys,

just preparing everything i need for the ppc1 application, i asked a solictor i used to work with for a character reference, she has agreed but asked me to draft it and she will sign it but can anyone let me know what i should write as i have no idea?

Wonderstruck

nicolesd wrote: »

hey guys,

just preparing everything i need for the ppc1 application, i asked a solictor i used to work with for a character reference, she has agreed but asked me to draft it and she will sign it but can anyone let me know what i should write as i have no idea?

Keep it simple, just that nicolesd is a trustworthy person and she is more than suitable to work as a solicitor.

Also if you can't find a solicitor outside your firm to certify your docs, a garda can certify them, all of mine were certified by a garda and lawsoc took them (exception being the form which states it has to be signed by a solicitor, but if you need certified copies of anything I just had them certified by a garda)

FE1Hopefully1

Wonderstruck wrote: »

Keep it simple, just that nicolesd is a trustworthy person and she is more than suitable to work as a solicitor.

Also if you can't find a solicitor outside your firm to certify your docs, a garda can certify them, all of mine were certified by a garda and lawsoc took them (exception being the form which states it has to be signed by a solicitor, but if you need certified copies of anything I just had them certified by a garda)

Didn’t think there was a qualification that it had to be outside your firm other than the proper indentures

neon123

Wonderstruck wrote: »

Keep it simple, just that nicolesd is a trustworthy person and she is more than suitable to work as a solicitor.

Also if you can't find a solicitor outside your firm to certify your docs, a garda can certify them, all of mine were certified by a garda and lawsoc took them (exception being the form which states it has to be signed by a solicitor, but if you need certified copies of anything I just had them certified by a garda)

Sorry for the silly question but which form in particular needs to be signed by a Solicitor? I know my training solicitor has items to sign so I’m not sure if this is what you mean. From what I gather only the birth certificate and college transcript needs to be certified.

Lallers96

neon123 wrote: »

Sorry for the silly question but which form in particular needs to be signed by a Solicitor? I know my training solicitor has items to sign so I’m not sure if this is what you mean. From what I gather only the birth certificate and college transcript needs to be certified.

Just the birth cert needs to be certified. Transcripts don't because they've got your college stamps all over it and have multiple identifying features that would be hard to fake. You can however get a copy of your degree certified (as in the parchment). Basically anything that is a copy, needs to be certified to be a true copy. Anything that's an original doesn't need to be.

BigSprogs

I'm sitting my last FE1s in October, but the deadline for PPC Hybrid applications is October 1st. How am I to include a letter saying I passed all 8 FE1s when I'll not get that letter till after the deadline? I'm guessing there's something obvious I'm missing.

neon123

Lallers96 wrote: »

Just the birth cert needs to be certified. Transcripts don't because they've got your college stamps all over it and have multiple identifying features that would be hard to fake. You can however get a copy of your degree certified (as in the parchment). Basically anything that is a copy, needs to be certified to be a true copy. Anything that's an original doesn't need to be.

Thanks Lallers

Lallers96

BigSprogs wrote: »

I'm sitting my last FE1s in October, but the deadline for PPC Hybrid applications is October 1st. How am I to include a letter saying I passed all 8 FE1s when I'll not get that letter till after the deadline? I'm guessing there's something obvious I'm missing.

They can accept late applications but there's a late fee of 50 euro. However if you're looking to get into the Hybrid this year and you won't be getting your results for the last FE1s until nearly December when the Hybrid course begins, then I don't see how you could start in 2021. There's very limited places on the Hybrid so I wouldn't bank on getting in that late because, as you probably already know, the FE1 section cannot be relied upon to get things done on time.

law247

Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of the small practice traineeship grant? Is it difficult to get? I know there's only 5 available and I was wondering if many firms apply. Thanks!

neon123

Has anyone ordered their iPad yet ?

FE1Hopefully1

neon123 wrote: »

Has anyone ordered their iPad yet ?

Yeah I’ve no idea how

awsah

FE1Hopefully1 wrote: »

Yeah I’ve no idea how

I just emailed them and told them which one I wanted, I got an extension for my application as I only got my result on tues so I was worried I'd get stuck with one of the really expensive ones! I emailed the trainee section and cc'd ipad@lawsociety.ie

They havnt responded to not 100% sure if that will work 🀣🀣

neon123

FE1Hopefully1 wrote: »

Yeah I’ve no idea how

I’m trying to use the below link which asks for an iPad to be selected but there is nothing to choose. I left my application into the LS at the end of June so perhaps we have to be officially registered for the PPC for the options to appear. I’m going to email them anyway with my preference just to be safe.

https://www.lawsociety.ie/Trainees/PPC-Courses/Trainee-iPads/

FE1Hopefully1

neon123 wrote: »

I’m trying to use the below link which asks for an iPad to be selected but there is nothing to choose. I left my application into the LS at the end of June so perhaps we have to be officially registered for the PPC for the options to appear. I’m going to email them anyway with my preference just to be safe.

https://www.lawsociety.ie/Trainees/PPC-Courses/Trainee-iPads/

Yeah link doesn’t work for me either

Might email also

holliek

FE1Hopefully1 wrote: »

Yeah link doesn’t work for me either

Might email also

Yeah I’m getting the same - no products coming up

starfishxxo

Anyone have any insights/recommendations on the ipad options? Would the 32gb generally be enough storage?

Lallers96

I know nothing about ipads but if they're anything like iphones I'd pay a bit extra for more storage tbh. You'll only end up paying that icloud extra storage otherwise.

Then again I have zero clue what applications will be required for PPC, and how many files you'd need to have on the iPad so maybe you could get by with 32GB. All I know is 32GBs is not a whole lot these days.

awsah

starfishxxo wrote: »

Anyone have any insights/recommendations on the ipad options? Would the 32gb generally be enough storage?

I was told to get the next one up that the 32gb isn't great, I can't see the options so i just requested a 64fb one via email

starfishxxo

Thanks. Yeah, I was considering upgrading to option 2 or 3 for more storage.

awsah wrote: »

I was told to get the next one up that the 32gb isn't great, I can't see the options so i just requested a 64fb one via email

You can see the list of upgrade choices if you scroll down to the bottom of the page
https://www.lawsociety.ie/Trainees/PPC-Courses/PPC1/

awsah

starfishxxo wrote: »

Thanks. Yeah, I was considering upgrading to option 2 or 3 for more storage.



You can see the list of upgrade choices if you scroll down to the bottom of the page
https://www.lawsociety.ie/Trainees/PPC-Courses/PPC1/

Oh thanks a million, I see the one I selected does not exist so I emailed them there again and asked them to confirm that they will accept the request via email

rightytighty

To be fair the application deadline has only just passed. I’m sure we’ll be told when they want us to confirm iPad choice

awsah

rightytighty wrote: »

To be fair the application deadline has only just passed. I’m sure we’ll be told when they want us to confirm iPad choice

They want it confirmed by July 9th, it says it must be done by that date

rightytighty

awsah wrote: »

They want it confirmed by July 9th, it says it must be done by that date

Oh wow, how have you come to have your login details already? Thanks for the heads up

awsah

rightytighty wrote: »

Oh wow, how have you come to have your login details already? Thanks for the heads up

I dont but its on the ppc1 page that it just be selected by the 9th, they might extend it if noone has access to it yet

starfishxxo

I imagine the LS will be in touch once they process the PPC applications, but if anyone who emailed does get a reply accepting their selection would be grateful if you could let us know here

awsah

starfishxxo wrote: »

I imagine the LS will be in touch once they process the PPC applications, but if anyone who emailed does get a reply accepting their selection would be grateful if you could let us know here

They got back to me and said the registration for ipad is after July 9th

the website says before so that is where the confusion lies!