Vegetarian2017 wrote: » I totally understand these times are unprecedent well particularly in March. However, I wish the Law Society would offer some sort of certainty or an email to state there will be a plan in place but as above poster mentioned going on past experience this will drag out for weeks now radio silence like the last time. The rest of us will spend the next few weeks slogging and taking annual leave and if the exams get cancelled last minute it will cause an absolute uproar rather than just making a call now. They either should confirm by email that exams are going ahead under level 3 restrictions in person or they are being postponed for a week or two to accommodate all counties (whatever date the level 3 ends) it really is that simple. It would also aid those waiting on results for Tort and EU. I think with a few weeks notice those who are aiming to sit them will have had a enough notice to cancel leave or hotels etc. instead of causing all this hassle in 3 weeks time.
Vegetarian2017 wrote: » Is there any update on the petition, I see there is 700 signatures (not bad at all). Can anyone confirm if it has been handed into the Law Society? If one of the options of the petition is accepted i.e. later date it would solve the level 3 restriction issue (all going well that it stays at this level). The amount of money the Law Society takes in for these exams there just is no excuse for all this uncertainty. Had they not opened the August exams to "all" candidates a lot of us would not be in this difficult position paying and studying for exams we may have already passed. Seriously, who is the master mind behind these decisions what is their thought process behind these decisions, it is mind blowing.
CSC1997 wrote: » Can exams even go ahead under level 3 restrictions? I assumed indoor gatherings would mean that it would be fairly difficult to hold in person exams, and the law society rules out online examinations a while back.
maggie95 wrote: » (I'm just the messenger!) Ok.. so I've just been on to the Education Officer in the Law Society and she told me it's highly unlikely that the October exams can go ahead, in any capacity. They're awaiting final instructions from the Government and expect to have a notice up on the LS webpage around 6pm. She said they have been pursuing online options but none of the companies they have been in contact with have the capacity for the FE1s (around 1600-1800) candidates and it won't be available in time for October. When asked what the alternative was, i.e. postpone till a later date or indefinitely, she said their current plan is to hold the exams either in person as soon as the restrictions are lifted or if an online option becomes available to host it on that platform as soon as they can. She apologised for the uncertainty this will cause candidates but they themselves don't know what the options are. I asked whether Cork will go ahead as scheduled and she said if Dublin is cancelled then Cork will be too. Only approx. 200/1600-1800 candidates have registered in Cork so it would be of no logistical benefit to host the October sitting.
vid36 wrote: » It is very difficult for the students who have been preparing but at least there is sufficient notice this time and if online was not feasible, it is the correct decision.
KMPT wrote: » 1600-1800 is alot of people already registered and I'm sure some haven't applied yet choosing to wait and see what the story is before applying on Monday. I'm glad I decided to take the wait and see approach.
Fe1student1234 wrote: » Yeah I’m now down €315 which isn’t great
Vegetarian2017 wrote: » It is but with them informing us of some sort of certainty it is saving us 3 weeks of absolute stress, students can still continue to study for the later date and change hotel bookings etc, the unknown is what causes the most amount of stress. At least they are giving some sort of indication thankfully. I really hope they are only postponed and the sitting can be held at some point this year. Assuming once the announcement goes ahead the law society will let us know on Monday.
dobby896 wrote: » Feel like we are not going to see an announcement from the Law Society this evening at this stage
IgoPAP wrote: » There it is! "Given the announcement by Government that Dublin is to move to Level 3 of its medium- term ‘Living with Covid-19’ plan for the next three weeks, the Law Society of Ireland has decided to postpone the October sitting of the FE1. Subject to any extension of the Level 3 status, or any other public health guidance/restrictions yet to be announced, the FE1 sitting will commence in the first week of November, 2020. Once logistical arrangements have been confirmed an updated exam timetable will issue. Since the pandemic emerged, the Society has been actively exploring an online option that would maintain the integrity of the FE1 examination. It engaged intensively with a number of providers, none of whom had the capacity to provide an online offering for the October FE1 examination. The Society’s priority at all times is the health and safety of examination candidates and invigilators, while doing all it can to allow those aspiring to join the profession to progress with their training." Fair play to the Law Society - this is the type of transparency we like to see.
