Mature student law entry!! Ideas

chugalug

I was reading another thread on here from a young fresh faced would be law student trying to find some experience and wondered if anyone here would give me their thoughts on my situation.

I'm a mature student studying social policy and was hoping to do the law conversion course. It seems though that because of my age (40's) no-one is very optimistic about me getting a placement for my training. I've always known it would be difficult but would it be impossible???

I have experience as an adviser and worked for Shelter as a housing caseworker under a CLS contract so know what I'm doing (although I would need to update).

I wanted to train as a housing solicitor as there is a massive shortage - I know this because of the number of cases I couldn't find a solicitor for when I was a c/w. I suppose there's a problem with funding as criminal funding seems to be eating into the other contract areas. What about local authorities? Perhaps I could approach a couple after my degree and get them to pay for my training! Seriously would that be feasible and how would I approach. They would be on the 'wrong side' so to speak but good experience. Does anyone in the know have any thoughts I'd hate to think I'm past it already??

BWZN93

I know that I applied to a few places as a 24yr old almost law graduate, and didnt get any response, wheras my 21yr old contemporaries got loads of invites etc. A friend of mine who was 36 at graduation couldnt get anything either, and now works at the CAB. A conversion course is really hard work too so make sure its definately something you want to do. Its not unheard of to get a placement/funding but it will be harder.

HTH

Jo xx

Raquela

Chugalug, may i ask where you are doing your current degree? Redbrick or new Uni?This might well have a bearing on the likelihood of your success, that's why I ask. It seems like you have good solid experience, therefore if you can find firms that do this kind of work, you may be in with a good chance. I think the best thing you can do in your position, is seek shadowing work with such firms; it will be unpaid most likely, but if you can manage this with mature studentdom, then this may lead to an offer of a Training Contract. I wouldn't bank on getting sponsorship for your training tho; I'm resigned to not getting it myself; it seems only the big massive corporate firms that can still do this, which would no doubt take you out of the area of law in which you wish to go. If you want to research firms, try https://www.lawcareers.net. (I think that's right).

As far as local authority work, I'm not sure about this, but it might be the GLS you would need to look in the direction of; again it can't hurt to ask about shadowing / work experience at your local authority.

Finally, if you make it clear that you don't consider your age a barrier, this in itself could go a long way, especially if you're meeting firms in person!

jazzyjustlaw

I obtained law degree in 2001. I could not get a training contract, a lot of my friends did not get one some did. It comes down to whether you think you will get a 2.1, or even a 1st, and whether you can afford the LPC. I am 34 was 29 then I almost got a training contract but then got let down. The best way is to get in with a law firm. I worked in one after my degree as a secretary - not good in some respects but I believe I learned so much that way better than some trainees. The firm I worked for had a few trainees and two were in their forties.

It does not therefore come down to age per se. It comes down to intelligence and hard work. It comes down to money for the LPC and of course family ties. I tried to get a training contract quite near as I have a child.

Now, I have worked in three Solicitors, am at no three now and temped at a few. I started where I am 2 years ago as a secretary (first job taught me to audio type) then I applied to ILEX (no money for LPC) and was exempt from the law aspects last year and did practice, then this year (as i want to do family and I have a business law degree) I have to do the law for that and the practice obviously. The beauty of ILEX is you dont need a conversion as far as I am aware, you can do it from home or attend college, preferably whilst gaining experience in a Solicitors or the legal environment in which you wish to work, then once you finish you only need to work in your environment and although you are a trainee legal exec is easier for the employer than a training contract. The only downside is you tend to get paid less. However, it is an alternative. Anyway I intend once I have finished my training and earned some money for a while I will then do the LPC but as I have been in a Solicitors training I don't think I have to have a training contract. Yes it took a bit longer but who cares, I am at the moment a legal assistant doing what I wanted to do titles arent always everything. I will get that one day.

I know people who did the CPE I think there is also a PG DIP conversion and then did the LPC they managed okay both were in their later 20's at the time one had children the other didnt. Both had money though.

Sorry to go on just wanted to help.

Honestly, firstly try and get in the right environment many people start as clerks if you are good you might even get some funding. Go for it. I would even if I was 60 something

ITC teach ILEX syllabus see their website. https://www.ilex.org.uk

If you need any further help p.m. me I will try.

deary65

Have a look around this site:
http://www.spr-consilio.com/vbulletin/upload/index.php?

davelewis

Hello

I am currently on the CPE in Swansea. I got a degree 10 years ago from Aberystwyth (2:1 in History & Politics). Worked for the Land Registry for 6 years and reaslied that i knew a lot more Land Law than most solicitors!!!

The CPE is challenging and demanding - it is basically a 3 year law degree in 1 year. But i am really enjoying it. All ages on it - i am 31 - good friends on the course are aged 34, 36 and 40 something!!

I am currently looking for training contracts. There are a few local firms who recruit every year - i am hoping my 6 years of Land Law in practice will hopefully go in my favour.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.

dave.

molotov_3

As someone at law school, I feel great sympathy and understanding for anyone trying to make it in law!

Chugalug, as you want to do housing work I would say that your age should not be a problem because housing work is pretty much left for high street firms and they recruit from a wide variety of backgrounds. Though you will be EXTREMELY fortunate to get any funding from them (indeed, I'm not getting funding from mine) so you will have to fund studies yourself.

I think the bigger problem is simply that (as you have said) there just arent the firms doing housing work. Your experience will help alot. All I can suggest is, on the GDL, you try and get some housing pro bono work experience (there is normally a lot about) and hopefully build up contacts that way. You could also try contacting housing law firms direct (look at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk - lawyer locator).

It's a gamble but if you are willing to "knock on every door" then you'll get there. Best of luck.

chugalug

Thanks all of you for taking the time to respond. Raquela, I'm at a new Uni cos here in Brighton where I live thats all there are - Sussex and Brighton.

Personally I think that my experience and commitment will get me where I want to go in the end but not everyone I ask for advice seems to have that confidence. I know law is hard to get into but I'm only really worried about the funding and the practical training not the academic stuff. Still, I'll carry on with the research and make my opportunities. Thanks again!!

pin

With the bigger law firms, I hate to say it, but it is hard as a mature trainee lawyer. I have seen it happen a few times.

Will try and expand on my thoughts once I've got changed!

Raquela

Oooh... I very nearly went to Sussex. If I remember rightly they didn't have great links with firms, don't know about Brighton. Unfortunately it means you'll probably have to work harder than you would somewhere else, but you have the drive and determination, so I definitely think you should go for it. I'm applying for vacation placements right now.. got a 2.2 last year, so not very hopeful, but will try anyway!