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

HappyKitten62 · 06-07-2019 12:13pm

Small Wonder wrote: »

Yeah I type everything. I'll do some handwriting in the week or two leading up to the exam but other than that it's keyboard all the way.

Thanks so much. It’s a big change for me because throughout university I always wrote my notes by hand so I feel like I’m not doing it right. But there are so many topics for these!

Small Wonder · 06-07-2019 2:39pm

HappyKitten62 wrote: »

Thanks so much. It’s a big change for me because throughout university I always wrote my notes by hand so I feel like I’m not doing it right. But there are so many topics for these!

My handwriting speed is terrible so that's why I type. If I was able to I'd write everything I would because I feel they make for better, more intuitive notes (I use a lot of arrows, charts etc.) but I simply wouldn't be able to keep on top of it by hand.

Last time out I done virtually no handwriting. Even my flashcards were digital. Honestly, I don't think I'd written a full paragraph on anything until I was in the exam. I certainly wouldn't recommend that but it just goes to show that it can be done.

CMUL · 06-07-2019 9:50pm

Are the exams still on in the red cow hotel? I cant see the information on the law society website. Does the hotel give a special rate for the exams?

lisac223 · 07-07-2019 8:58am

Random question but can anyone give me some tips on how you should mark your legislation? I know you're allowed tab and highlight but do ye do it by topic, by section etc.? This will be my first time bringing anything in and the companies act is so huge I'm not sure where to start! Thanks :-)

lisac223 · 07-07-2019 8:58am

CMUL wrote: »

Are the exams still on in the red cow hotel? I cant see the information on the law society website. Does the hotel give a special rate for the exams?

Yeah they're still on in the red cow but as far as I know they don't give any special rates

JP25 · 07-07-2019 5:23pm

Does anyone have up to date exam grids for tort, criminal, constitutional and company? I would really appreciate it if someone could pm with them

jackbergin777 · 08-07-2019 9:31am

Looking for Property Manual, Notes, Past exam papers? I can swap constitutional, EU and Criminal materials

Mod
Exam grids only may be swapped thru this forum.
We don't have the resources to deal with disputes etc

CiaranS93 · 08-07-2019 10:50am

Hi guys,

I am doing Contract, Criminal, Property and Company this October. I have exam grids up to 2017. Would anyone have the most updated versions? Also any recent exam papers (2019) would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

neon123 · 08-07-2019 6:52pm

Hi Folks, I was thinking of sitting Contract, Equity, Property and Criminal in my first sitting but read in another post that Equity might not be the best to do on the first sitting. I'm thinking of switching out Equity for Company and just wanted to check in and see what people think of company, i.e would it be one of the easier exams to pass and is there a lot in the course? I initially thought Equity would be good to do as I'm also doing contract but just wanted to get peoples thoughts. Thanks

Small Wonder · 08-07-2019 10:48pm

neon123 wrote: »

Hi Folks, I was thinking of sitting Contract, Equity, Property and Criminal in my first sitting but read in another post that Equity might not be the best to do on the first sitting. I'm thinking of switching out Equity for Company and just wanted to check in and see what people think of company, i.e would it be one of the easier exams to pass and is there a lot in the course? I initially thought Equity would be good to do as I'm also doing contract but just wanted to get peoples thoughts. Thanks

I'm studying company now for the first time and I'm finding it easy going. There seems to be a lot of material to cover but conceptually it's all very straight forward. Equity, on the other hand, caught me off guard, both at undergraduate and FE1 level.

Topics like secret trusts, for example, require a bit more grey matter than I found comfortable while studying and working full time. Property, criminal, contract and company are more nuts and bolts law which is what you want when you're trying to land that magic three.

Tony_TwoLegs · 09-07-2019 9:55am

neon123 wrote: »

Hi Folks, I was thinking of sitting Contract, Equity, Property and Criminal in my first sitting but read in another post that Equity might not be the best to do on the first sitting. I'm thinking of switching out Equity for Company and just wanted to check in and see what people think of company, i.e would it be one of the easier exams to pass and is there a lot in the course? I initially thought Equity would be good to do as I'm also doing contract but just wanted to get peoples thoughts. Thanks

To put it in context - I passed 7 of the FE1s on the first sit. I had to sit Equity 3 times to pass it!!
It's all subjective obviously.

LeVaterIzVet · 09-07-2019 8:26pm

Hello there, would anyone like to swap materials?

HappyKitten62 · 09-07-2019 9:18pm

Tony_TwoLegs wrote: »

To put it in context - I passed 7 of the FE1s on the first sit. I had to sit Equity 3 times to pass it!!
It's all subjective obviously.

Just wondering what caused you to keep failing it, were you leaving topics out? Because I heard its very doable if you learn it all.

dizg · 09-07-2019 10:52pm

Does anyone have grids for contract and criminal? And any more recent notes? I've some but they're from a few years ago and I'm worried they're missing some more recent changes.

Seziertisch · 10-07-2019 11:30am

Does anyone have any recommendations for tutors offering one-on-one FE1 prep in Dublin? Specifically someone who would be able to correct exam questions for me and provide me with feedback.

The subjects I am doing are EU, Contract, Equity and Criminal.

Thanks.

Mod
Sorry we don't recommend particular tutors nor courses on this forum.

Mario07 · 10-07-2019 2:38pm

You have any hints how to study company? I find the language used in it hard and in exam can you just write off from act n get marks??

ciarocxcc · 10-07-2019 10:09pm

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

Small Wonder · 10-07-2019 11:41pm

ciarocxcc wrote: »

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

You've two full months off and you're wondering if attempting 4 exams is too much? Seriously, I know they're tough but it's not NASA. I'm doing EU, Company, Criminal and Constitutional. My final four. I've one week booked off work and I intend on passing them all.

Tony_TwoLegs · 11-07-2019 4:09pm

ciarocxcc wrote: »

I am currently working full time in a law firm which is really busy, but I have the months of august and september off to study for october FE1s. I havent had time to hardly pick up a book this summer, will the two months be enough if I really put the head down? This is my second lot of FE1s, I passed the first 4 in March. In October I want to sit Criminal, Tort, EU and Constitutional. Am I being too idealistic?

I passed those 4 while working fulltime (out of the house from 8am to 7pm). Unless you're getting paid while taking time off - there's no need. If you've a law degree, you'll have done these before. If not, you'll be grand anyways. Two months is overkill. That's my opinion.
Maybe take 3 or 4 weeks!? I used to study 06-08am and 7-9pm, for 6 weeks before, and weekends.

moomin2901 · 11-07-2019 10:24pm

Tony_TwoLegs wrote: »

I passed those 4 while working fulltime (out of the house from 8am to 7pm). Unless you're getting paid while taking time off - there's no need. If you've a law degree, you'll have done these before. If not, you'll be grand anyways. Two months is overkill. That's my opinion.
Maybe take 3 or 4 weeks!? I used to study 06-08am and 7-9pm, for 6 weeks before, and weekends.

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

HappyKitten62 · 11-07-2019 11:05pm

moomin2901 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

yournerd · 11-07-2019 11:16pm

HappyKitten62 wrote: »

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

I would scrap notes, id focus on sample answers and exam answers then making notes on stuff you find the hardest etc

HappyKitten62 · 11-07-2019 11:26pm

yournerd wrote: »

I would scrap notes, id focus on sample answers and exam answers then making notes on stuff you find the hardest etc

If I scrap notes, I won’t know the material! Have to start somewhere I’m afraid. Sample answers are extremely important but no way am I ignoring the syllabus in favour of possible qs. You never know what will come up.

Charlie Gove MP · 12-07-2019 12:41am

Hello folks.

Just a general question about the scope of reading.

I have a lot of books, like the hardback stuff by McDermott, Charleton, Wylie etc.

How much detail do I have to go into?

I feel I am reading stuff that might be too detailed....it's almost stuff I think you would be reading once you get into the Law Society rather than stuff you read to get into the Law Society.

Just my €0.02.

Thanks.

Redhighking · 12-07-2019 9:30am

Charlie Gove MP wrote: »

Hello folks.

Just a general question about the scope of reading.

I have a lot of books, like the hardback stuff by McDermott, Charleton, Wylie etc.

How much detail do I have to go into?

I feel I am reading stuff that might be too detailed....it's almost stuff I think you would be reading once you get into the Law Society rather than stuff you read to get into the Law Society.

Just my €0.02.

Thanks.

Detail wise you only need to know the key underlining cases and relevant legislation, you do not need any academic commentary.

I would advise trying to get your hand on the FE manuals from one of the colleges.

Tony_TwoLegs · 12-07-2019 10:59am

moomin2901 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how you use your study time, or what is your study technique? At present I am writing out own notes from manuals, focusing on one subject at a time. Hoping then I can learn off my own scaled down notes when have all notes complete. I am anxious that I am not spending enough time actually learning off though.

Any study format advice would be welcome please. Scared I am not utilizing my time effectively

Yeah my strategy was the same. It is time consuming to bullet point or condense manuals but it's effective as you're engaging with the material and studying.
I was probably tied up doing this until the 2 weeks before the exam.
I also wrote out a topic header and all the relevant case names on an A4 and a couple of key words next to each case.

moomin2901 · 12-07-2019 1:09pm

Tony_TwoLegs wrote: »

Yeah my strategy was the same. It is time consuming to bullet point or condense manuals but it's effective as you're engaging with the material and studying.
I was probably tied up doing this until the 2 weeks before the exam.
I also wrote out a topic header and all the relevant case names on an A4 and a couple of key words next to each case.

Thanks for reply. Feel assured I am on the right track now, phew!

moomin2901 · 12-07-2019 1:11pm

HappyKitten62 wrote: »

Hey I’m doing them for the first time too, I started out with hand writing the notes but honestly it takes so so long. So now I’m typing and then condensing by hand!

Hi, I was going to type, but my typing speed is horrific. I might try again. What subjects are you doing? Are you working form manuals?

moomin2901 · 12-07-2019 1:16pm

Just wondering is anyone else on the Access programme ?

HappyKitten62 · 12-07-2019 1:33pm

moomin2901 wrote: »

Hi, I was going to type, but my typing speed is horrific. I might try again. What subjects are you doing? Are you working form manuals?

I'm doing Company, Criminal, EU & Equity. Yes I have the manuals I bought them off a girl who did them last year! Yourself?

lisac223 · 13-07-2019 9:19am

Can anyone give some tips on how you should mark your legislation? I know you're allowed tab and highlight but do ye do it by topic, by section etc.? This will be my first time bringing anything in and the companies act is so huge I'm not sure where to start! Thanks :-)

Small Wonder · 13-07-2019 11:49am

lisac223 wrote: »

Can anyone give some tips on how you should mark your legislation? I know you're allowed tab and highlight but do ye do it by topic, by section etc.? This will be my first time bringing anything in and the companies act is so huge I'm not sure where to start! Thanks :-)

The simplest answer is mark it however you like. I simply highlight the most important sections within the index for quick access, then underline key passages of text. But you'll see people in the exam with multiple colour tabs and highlighters, perhaps each colour is a topic. I don't know. Use your imagination. Just don't write anything!

JohnsKite · 13-07-2019 1:17pm

Have there been any major revolutions in tort over the last few years? Haven't covered it since 2015, are my old notes still up to date?

lisac223 · 15-07-2019 9:03am

JohnsKite wrote: »

Have there been any major revolutions in tort over the last few years? Haven't covered it since 2015, are my old notes still up to date?

I can only really think of damages with the new act (Civil Liability Amendment Act 2017). I did a full question on that in March and it definitely saved my crappy professional negligence question! Only other thing I can think of is passing off has a couple of 2018 cases and there is actually a 2019 one that sums up the main points quite well (Galway Free Range Eggs v O'Brien). Also the UCC v ESB [2018] case is really important in nuisance.

holliek · 15-07-2019 11:24am

I'm so confused by causation in tort inparticular legal causation. In some notes, novus actus and res ipsa loquitor seem to come under it - is this right?
And then is remoteness a seperate issue again?

randomrb · 15-07-2019 11:42am

holliek wrote: »

I'm so confused by causation in tort inparticular legal causation. In some notes, novus actus and res ipsa loquitor seem to come under it - is this right?
And then is remoteness a seperate issue again?

I would be wary of trying to separate out issues and topics too much. They seem to be moving towards more joined up and overlapping questions every year. Its now hard to justify leaving out anything or not reviewing anything for some subjects.

In saying that those three issues would come under Causation in my opinion

holliek · 15-07-2019 11:52am

randomrb wrote: »

I would be wary of trying to separate out issues and topics too much. They seem to be moving towards more joined up and overlapping questions every year. Its now hard to justify leaving out anything or not reviewing anything for some subjects.

In saying that those three issues would come under Causation in my opinion

OK that's great to know thank you! Would you be able to tell me what exactly is legal causation? I can't figure it out

Redhighking · 15-07-2019 1:58pm

holliek wrote: »

OK that's great to know thank you! Would you be able to tell me what exactly is legal causation? I can't figure it out

Causation is a two steps process:

1. Once factual causation is proven i.e. the plaintiff has shown that there is a scientific link between the defendant's negligence and their injuries,

2. the plaintiff must then prove there is legal causation, this requires the plaintiff proving the blame for their injuries should attributed to the defendant as a matter of law.

saraocallaghan · 15-07-2019 3:17pm

Hi All,

I'm starting to do my Property revision and I'm pretty nailed down on 4 questions, 2 x succession, adverse possession and easements. I'm thinking of doing co-ownership as my 5th question going by the grids I have, it appears quite regularly. Going by previous posters, landlord and tenant is a question that's rather hefty and to be avoided if possible - I'm trying to be smart with my studying from outset as the last time I attempted them, I over studied and as a result wasn't smart with my time.

Thanks!

mountaingoat97 · 16-07-2019 10:39am

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm starting to do my Property revision and I'm pretty nailed down on 4 questions, 2 x succession, adverse possession and easements. I'm thinking of doing co-ownership as my 5th question going by the grids I have, it appears quite regularly. Going by previous posters, landlord and tenant is a question that's rather hefty and to be avoided if possible - I'm trying to be smart with my studying from outset as the last time I attempted them, I over studied and as a result wasn't smart with my time.

Thanks!

Co-ownership as a 5th would be wise. I'd also recommend doing Finding. its probably the easiest/shortest chapter on the whole FE1 course. it'd be crazy to leave it out imo.

leavingcert17 · 16-07-2019 5:06pm

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

lawless11 · 16-07-2019 6:32pm

leavingcert17 wrote: »

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

Study as much as you can, as simple as an answer as it may sound. Equity can seem tricky and you need to know a lot of details and the same goes for Constitutional. I didn't leave out much at all out of constitutional because I found the questions really hard - so do also lot of past exam papers and try and compare it to sample answers. Sometimes while studying I could not even identify the issues, so that's a real difficulty in that exam I feel.
For equity I skipped a few themes that I never did and was uncomfortable with like secret trusts. But I covered a lot anyway - again I feel past papers were useful. As you failed it twice, maybe it would be beneficial to see what you did (you can ask the law society for scanned transcripts by email). A good structure/logic is important for equity. And case law.

Anyway I did 5 on my first session so you can do it!

Yohnathan · 16-07-2019 7:07pm

leavingcert17 wrote: »

Any advice for trying to pass 5 exams in one sitting, I’ve passed 3 already. I’ve failed equity twice which is worrying me and I’m finding constitutional difficult

I failed Equity twice and also struggled with Tort and felt comfortable with both however I felt uncomfortable with EU and Constitutional and ended up flying them. The two I had heard form everyone were the hardest.
Sometimes feeling like a subject is difficult to understand can be enough for you to pass it. You're probably reading into certain additional areas trying to clarify things and that will end up sticking in the exam!
As for ones you feel comfortable with, sometimes this can lead to complacency.
You'll be grand! Do the five.

mariussulla1977 · 17-07-2019 11:55am

Hi there

I am finally taking these exams seriously.My degree is an LLB but I have worked away from the law for a few years. I have spent a few years on and off giving them a lukewarm attempt now and then. However I am now determined to get some of these finished. I have time off from work for next few months till the exams in October and I have all the manuals from Griffith and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how many exams I could attempt in one go. I was thinking 5.

Also, which exams would be the best to start with.

Would really appreciate any advice.

vid36 · 17-07-2019 2:18pm

If you are taking five, I would recommend Criminal, Contract, Property, Equity and Company.Others have different views , however.

lawless11 · 17-07-2019 3:21pm

vid36 wrote: »

If you are taking five, I would recommend Criminal, Contract, Property, Equity and Company.Others have different views , however.

Yeah it's not a bad combination. I did Company, Equity, Property, Contract and EU - that was okay too (I mean, the okay in hell, but okay still

).

I reckon Criminal, Constitutional, Property, Equity and Contract would be a good mix too. I would recommend separating Constitutional & EU, just as they seem to be the lenghty ones.

DoctorComfort · 17-07-2019 4:11pm

If anyone wants to swap materials give me a shout.

HappyKitten62 · 17-07-2019 7:36pm

Still confused about how I should be making notes from the manuals. Typing feels like nothing is going in, but writing takes too long. Any advice? What do people usually do?

z6vm1dobfnca3x · 18-07-2019 12:51pm

Hey,

Looking for an updated EU grid, if anyone has one?

Have equity, criminal and property grids to exchange if needed!

Cheers

Charlie Gove MP · 19-07-2019 7:46pm

Redhighking wrote: »

Detail wise you only need to know the key underlining cases and relevant legislation, you do not need any academic commentary.

I would advise trying to get your hand on the FE manuals from one of the colleges.

Thank you for your help. It is appreciated.

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

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