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

Fe7 · 12-01-2021 5:10pm

maggie95 wrote: »

Don't think there's much public information out there though unfortunately as firms tend to be pretty silent on their pay!

The internship salary at one of the big firms I was with was 2k per month. The monthly salary while doing PPC1&2 is 3500 per month before taxes and they cover PPC fees and pay for your FE1s upon completion.

IgoPAP · 12-01-2021 5:12pm

Reya10 wrote: »

They are required to pay at least minimum wage.

Lots of info on this here:

https://www.lawsociety.ie/globalassets/documents/education/trainees/mintraineesalaries.pdf

I know from anecdotal experience of some friends that some small firms don't pay minimum wage at all. They get away with it because there's a massive supply of desperate candidates looking for TC's and are willing to accept anything. This was particularly apparent during the last Financial crash. I'd just be aware to anyone looking for TC's that the firm you're applying to guarantees the minimum salary at the least. It's utterly disgraceful.

TheLawGuy · 12-01-2021 5:33pm

Is the Bloomsbury Professional Companies Act 2014: 2018 Edition all we need for Company legislation wise?

DavidX90 · 12-01-2021 6:05pm

TheLawGuy wrote: »

Is the Bloomsbury Professional Companies Act 2014: 2018 Edition all we need for Company legislation wise?

Yep. I found it on Amazon for a good price btw.

tommytimber · 12-01-2021 6:21pm

Is anyone planning on training in a regional firm? I have a TC in a firm in a local town and I'm just wondering what to expect salary wise

DavidX90 · 12-01-2021 7:10pm

Any firm offering unpaid traineeships should be reported IMO.

If a firm cannot afford to or are unwilling to pay you minimum wage, that is definitely not a firm you want to get involved with.

legallyginger · 12-01-2021 8:09pm

Back on this rant again but emailed the LS twice for candidate ID has anybody had any luck? Can't imagine the panic on the morning not being able to log in

LeagleEagle747 · 12-01-2021 8:11pm

I emailed yesterday afternoon/morning and got a reply within a few hours, did you make sure to email the correct email address, and included you full name, current address and date of birth?

legallyginger · 12-01-2021 8:13pm

LeagleEagle747 wrote: »

I emailed yesterday afternoon/morning and got a reply within a few hours, did you make sure to email the correct email address, and included you full name, current address and date of birth?

I emailed fe1section@lawsociety.ie so hoping if I send it again I may get a reply tomorrow!

awsah · 12-01-2021 8:17pm

legallyginger wrote: »

I emailed fe1section@lawsociety.ie so hoping if I send it again I may get a reply tomorrow!

try P.Sheedy@lawsociety.ie that is who responded to me.

dobby896 · 12-01-2021 8:36pm

legallyginger wrote: »

Back on this rant again but emailed the LS twice for candidate ID has anybody had any luck? Can't imagine the panic on the morning not being able to log in

I've emailed a few times now too and have yet to get a reply, I've emailed Paula directly this evening so here is hoping she can help me out before Thursday.

I've honestly never even seen that number, I didnt get any written correspondence from them and have scanned through my emails for the number but its not on any of them either.

CoconutHeadMia · 12-01-2021 8:48pm

Can anyone remember if terms came up on the last contract paper?

Corplawtrainee · 12-01-2021 8:58pm

CoconutHeadMia wrote: »

Can anyone remember if terms came up on the last contract paper?

Yeah it did, the same terms/exclusion clause/consumer protection Q she tends to ask most years.

Iso_123 · 12-01-2021 8:59pm

Just as a matter of interest, how long before the exam do people aim to have all their notes done and when do people start learning off/route learning their notes?

Its my first time doing them with a job that doesn't allow for a lot of study leave (my last job I had 5 weeks off and now i'll probably get 2.5)

Paraeagle · 12-01-2021 9:26pm

Iso_123 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, how long before the exam do people aim to have all their notes done and when do people start learning off/route learning their notes?

Its my first time doing them with a job that doesn't allow for a lot of study leave (my last job I had 5 weeks off and now i'll probably get 2.5)

I think this very much depends on a person’s study method. For me, writing notes is my method of learning and I am painfully slow but that’s probably because I try not to take notes passively and instead try to understand and learn the information/concept as I go. I probably won’t finish my notes until the week of the exams! Works for me but everyone is different.

I only say this because it can sometimes be very daunting hearing of others who have finished their notes months in advance of an exam

. Stick with whatever has worked for you in the past.

BugsySiegel · 12-01-2021 9:30pm

Iso_123 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, how long before the exam do people aim to have all their notes done and when do people start learning off/route learning their notes?

Its my first time doing them with a job that doesn't allow for a lot of study leave (my last job I had 5 weeks off and now i'll probably get 2.5)

Depends how you study. I do one topic at a time and constantly revise the ones Iv done briefly so Im route learning from the start. No point thinking about what someone else is doing really. Its whatever works for you.

Iso_123 · 12-01-2021 9:44pm

Paraeagle wrote: »

I think this very much depends on a person’s study method. For me, writing notes is my method of learning and I am painfully slow but that’s probably because I try not to take notes passively and instead try to understand and learn the information/concept as I go. I probably won’t finish my notes until the week of the exams! Works for me but everyone is different.

I only say this because it can sometimes be very daunting hearing of others who have finished their notes months in advance of an exam . Stick with whatever has worked for you in the past.

BugsySiegel wrote: »

Depends how you study. I do one topic at a time and constantly revise the ones Iv done briefly so Im route learning from the start. No point thinking about what someone else is doing really. Its whatever works for you.

Thanks! You guys are right about doing what works best for each person, I just get so paranoid all the time that what I'm doing isn't enough so I try get some justification by asking other people! its my toxic trait lol

law987 · 12-01-2021 10:33pm

Re: pay during Blackhall, Eversheds and Dillon Eustace both pay full salary and pay your fees so I think it's safe to say all the biggest 10 firms do.

Also seems the big firms hire very much in advance, I know Arthur Cox are now full until 2024 and most of the others until 2023. I did a lot of milkround interviews in November, got a TC for 2023 but hoping to have FE1s finished in March, so currently wondering how to fill the next 2 years, hopefully travelling and working abroad, any suggestions welcome haha

lawgrad49 · 12-01-2021 10:42pm

law987 wrote: »

Re: pay during Blackhall, Eversheds and Dillon Eustace both pay full salary and pay your fees so I think it's safe to say all the biggest 10 firms do.

Also seems the big firms hire very much in advance, I know Arthur Cox are now full until 2024 and most of the others until 2023. I did a lot of milkround interviews in November, got a TC for 2023 but hoping to have FE1s finished in March, so currently wondering how to fill the next 2 years, hopefully travelling and working abroad, any suggestions welcome haha

I understand the advantage for those firms having a steady pipeline by filling up well in advance but surely they have to set aside a few spots every year for drop outs/those who don't pass all 8 by the time they are meant to?

Paraeagle · 12-01-2021 11:13pm

Iso_123 wrote: »

Thanks! You guys are right about doing what works best for each person, I just get so paranoid all the time that what I'm doing isn't enough so I try get some justification by asking other people! its my toxic trait lol

I hear you! We should start a support group :P

IgoPAP · 12-01-2021 11:25pm

lawgrad49 wrote: »

I understand the advantage for those firms having a steady pipeline by filling up well in advance but surely they have to set aside a few spots every year for drop outs/those who don't pass all 8 by the time they are meant to?

Yeah they do in a way. Numbers are based on business needs/quality of candidates. It's flexible. If there's a candidate they like, they'll usually try to accommodate in some way.

LawLearnin · 13-01-2021 11:40am

What is actually being tested in the exams? I've sat six now and they don't appear geared towards either the workplace/skills required to be a solicitor or a thorough test of legal knowledge. (Yes, I'm pretty jaded with the FE1 process at this point but it is a genuine question!) I graduated over a decade ago and have done a range of professional certs/masters/courses since and they were all more attuned to either the related workplace or the broadening of your knowledge in that field.

I feel like if I could get my head around what the FE1s are actually testing, then I'd be less stressed while studying and when sitting them, and am really interested to hear what ye think.

FE1new · 13-01-2021 11:57am

LawLearnin wrote: »

What is actually being tested in the exams? I've sat six now and they don't appear geared towards either the workplace/skills required to be a solicitor or a thorough test of legal knowledge. (Yes, I'm pretty jaded with the FE1 process at this point but it is a genuine question!) I graduated over a decade ago and have done a range of professional certs/masters/courses since and they were all more attuned to either the related workplace or the broadening of your knowledge in that field.

I feel like if I could get my head around what the FE1s are actually testing, then I'd be less stressed while studying and when sitting them, and am really interested to hear what ye think.

Ha they are testing my patience that's for sure.

maggie95 · 13-01-2021 12:08pm

Do we think they would have contacted us by now if they suspected us of cheating or will it just be an automatic fail tomorrow? Worried about toilet breaks ahahahaha

bluerthanu · 13-01-2021 12:28pm

maggie95 wrote: »

Do we think they would have contacted us by now if they suspected us of cheating or will it just be an automatic fail tomorrow? Worried about toilet breaks ahahahaha

Pretty sure the rules we were given stated that if there was any investigation about suspicious behaviour a candidate would be notified before it is reported to the Education Committee to make a decision. Doubt they could make a decision of automatic failure without at least giving you a chance to respond or clarify what they suspect as cheating, but who knows with the LS at this point.

nmurphy1441 · 13-01-2021 12:41pm

For anyone that sat Property in November and who did the question in adverse possession, how do we think that will be marked?? Remember there was a typo with the year...

Fe1user5555 · 13-01-2021 1:04pm

maggie95 wrote: »

Do we think they would have contacted us by now if they suspected us of cheating or will it just be an automatic fail tomorrow? Worried about toilet breaks ahahahaha

I think they definitely would have contacted us by now! They said we’d be notified if they thought we were a serious case of cheating before it was sent to the committee so it would have to have happened before the results come out!

SKLaw · 13-01-2021 1:48pm

Anyone else get that email re. logging in with your candidate number? Every email from the LSI makes me anxious these days! I’m just very nervous for the results

Lallers96 · 13-01-2021 1:53pm

LawLearnin wrote: »

What is actually being tested in the exams? I've sat six now and they don't appear geared towards either the workplace/skills required to be a solicitor or a thorough test of legal knowledge. (Yes, I'm pretty jaded with the FE1 process at this point but it is a genuine question!) I graduated over a decade ago and have done a range of professional certs/masters/courses since and they were all more attuned to either the related workplace or the broadening of your knowledge in that field.

I feel like if I could get my head around what the FE1s are actually testing, then I'd be less stressed while studying and when sitting them, and am really interested to hear what ye think.

Memorisation of case names and legislation, application of case law and legislation to given scenarios. Then for essays the same but with commentary on the law itself. I'd imagine those are skills you'd need as a solicitor.

EmmaO94 · 13-01-2021 2:14pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Memorisation of case names and legislation, application of case law and legislation to given scenarios. Then for essays the same but with commentary on the law itself. I'd imagine those are skills you'd need as a solicitor.

From working in a law firm, I have first hand experience that memorisation plays little part in practice lol, considering firms have their own law libraries and near limitless online resources. Personally I think open-book exams would make a lot more sense so that it's not basically a memory test.

maggie95 · 13-01-2021 2:24pm

EmmaO94 wrote: »

From working in a law firm, I have first hand experience that memorisation plays little part in practice lol, considering firms have their own law libraries and near limitless online resources. Personally I think open-book exams would make a lot more sense so that it's not basically a memory test.

B-b-but Emma that would compromise the integrity of the exam!!

IgoPAP · 13-01-2021 2:31pm

It's important to remember that the only reason the Fe1s exist in the current format because a few disgruntled QUB students took a Case to the Supreme Court relating to exemptions and won.

The Law Society absolutely can, and should, remove the exams for law graduates as it was the case before.

And don't give me this "integrity of profession" nonsense. Unless you're arguing that solicitors that qualified decades through the old system are somehow incompetent.

maggie95 · 13-01-2021 2:34pm

IgoPAP wrote: »

It's important to remember that the only reason the Fe1s exist in the current format because a few disgruntled QUB students took a Case to the Supreme Court relating to exemptions and won.

The Law Society absolutely can, and should, remove the exams for law graduates as it was the case before.

And don't give me this "integrity of profession" nonsense. Unless you're arguing that solicitors that qualified decades through the old system are somehow incompetent.

Was making a joke as to their excuse for why it couldn't be an open-book exam in November! Believe me I do not believe in that excuse.

EmmaO94 · 13-01-2021 3:02pm

maggie95 wrote: »

B-b-but Emma that would compromise the integrity of the exam!!

Hahahahaha that phrase just triggered my fight or flight

rightytighty · 13-01-2021 4:19pm

IgoPAP wrote: »

It's important to remember that the only reason the Fe1s exist in the current format because a few disgruntled QUB students took a Case to the Supreme Court relating to exemptions and won.

The Law Society absolutely can, and should, remove the exams for law graduates as it was the case before.

And don't give me this "integrity of profession" nonsense. Unless you're arguing that solicitors that qualified decades through the old system are somehow incompetent.

The difficulty of getting a training contract is very often bemoaned in this thread. Imagine how hard it would be without the FE1s and hundreds of eligible graduates joining the hunt every year.

IgoPAP · 13-01-2021 4:52pm

rightytighty wrote: »

The difficulty of getting a training contract is very often bemoaned in this thread. Imagine how hard it would be without the FE1s and hundreds of eligible graduates joining the hunt every year.

You can apply for TCs without having completed any Fe1s. This argument only makes sense if you assume that people would otherwise have trained to become a solicitor if not for the FE1's.

If the purpose of the exams is to stem the tide of new solicitors instead of maintaining the integrity of the profession or whatever, I wish the Law Society would be upfront and actually be honest about it.

law987 · 13-01-2021 5:01pm

To be fair, more probably would opt to go down the solicitor path if it wasn't for the FE1s, but agreed that's not a good enough reason for them

LegalSmeagle97 · 13-01-2021 5:44pm

anyone got a recent company grid that I can swap for?

the one I have is very confusing lol

Dancing Obsession · 13-01-2021 7:49pm

SKLaw wrote: »

Anyone else get that email re. logging in with your candidate number? Every email from the LSI makes me anxious these days! I’m just very nervous for the results

Me too. I don't know why I'm nervous. It's done, I can't do anything about it and still nervous.

DavidX90 · 13-01-2021 8:12pm

Best of luck to everyone tomorrow!

If I don't pass this one, I'm gonna strongly consider qualifying in England under the new SQE system.

Probably faster to pass the SQE and qualify there than it is to find a traineeship here. Losing patience...

Lallers96 · 13-01-2021 9:56pm

Are there any big firms NOT in Dublin aha, really only looking into the TC side of things now and I know nothing about them bar the basics tbh. I have no desire to live in Dublin, the rent is astronomical.

IgoPAP · 13-01-2021 10:02pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Are there any big firms NOT in Dublin aha, really only looking into the TC side of things now and I know nothing about them bar the basics tbh. I have no desire to live in Dublin, the rent is astronomical.

RDJ

Lallers96 · 13-01-2021 10:09pm

IgoPAP wrote: »

RDJ

Thanks!

Shame they're full up until possibly 2024

Lallers96 · 13-01-2021 10:26pm

Is there any value in doing a summer internship as a means to get your foot in the door somewhere and improve your odds of getting a TC? Or is it more of a thing current college students would do?

IgoPAP · 13-01-2021 10:34pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Is there any value in doing a summer internship as a means to get your foot in the door somewhere and improve your odds of getting a TC? Or is it more of a thing current college students would do?

Yes absolutely! I've interned at big firms where there was graduates and post grads among the group. And you're guaranteed a TC interview at the end. It's the best way of getting a foot in and some decent experience

Hazel774 · 13-01-2021 10:35pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Is there any value in doing a summer internship as a means to get your foot in the door somewhere and improve your odds of getting a TC? Or is it more of a thing current college students would do?

Yes you can do one at any stage, they normally have a mixture of people straight out of college, in final year or college and those who’ve been out of college a few years! I did one the summer after my final year and there actually weren’t any current students in it we had all finished college in the last year or so.
They’re good to get a bit of experience for yourself too to see what the future holds lol

DavidX90 · 13-01-2021 10:39pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Is there any value in doing a summer internship as a means to get your foot in the door somewhere and improve your odds of getting a TC? Or is it more of a thing current college students would do?

I once did an internship with Beauchamps and while it was the worst work environment I've ever experienced, I learned a hell of a lot and it gave me some good exposure.

If anyone wants to ask me specifics, drop me a DM.

law1234567 · 13-01-2021 10:40pm

Lallers96 wrote: »

Are there any big firms NOT in Dublin aha, really only looking into the TC side of things now and I know nothing about them bar the basics tbh. I have no desire to live in Dublin, the rent is astronomical.

FOD have a Galway office and Matheson have a Cork office. However, I don't think there are any big firms who are in other locations and not in Dublin as well

lawgrad_ · 13-01-2021 10:46pm

Can anyone who sat company in November remember the questions? Standard enough or any surprises? Thank you!

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

Comments