Legal Recruitment Agencies

MigsyBigsy

Dear All,

first time poster on this thread.

I have been thinking recently about the possibility of changing jobs. I am 32 yrs old, still living parents and currently in a job which pays just above £20,000, which i feel is very very low for the work that i do.

I have decided that I would like to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Law, as I have always been interested in law. This will commence in September either 2 or 1 year part time evenings.

I would therefore like to find out if there are any law recruitment agencies out there which would provide excellent work experience whilst doing the GDL. I am also aware that many agencies ask for 3,4,5 years worth of experience which I dont posses.

Many thanks

MoneySavingUser

what is your ultimate aim?

Even if you do the GDL to become a Solicitor you will need to do the 1year Legal Practice Course after it and then a 2 year training contract

If you want to work and study have you considered ILEX? http://www.ilex.org.uk/

what are you doing atm? do you have access to a careers service?

Annisele

Law is a very, very, competitive industry.

The minimum salary for trainee solicitors is less than £20k IIRC - so you might find that you've studied the GDL and LPC for four years at great expense, and then can't find a job paying more than the one you've got.

At the moment there are quite a few graduates floating around with the LPC but without a training contract - and they will be far more attractive to legal employers than somebody who doesn't have the GDL yet.

davelewis

Annisele wrote: »

Law is a very, very, competitive industry.

The minimum salary for trainee solicitors is less than £20k IIRC - so you might find that you've studied the GDL and LPC for four years at great expense, and then can't find a job paying more than the one you've got.

At the moment there are quite a few graduates floating around with the LPC but without a training contract - and they will be far more attractive to legal employers than somebody who doesn't have the GDL yet.

Agreed. Have you considered the Legal Executive Route? Here you will work full time in a law firm and study part time. You will not need to do a training contract and will complete the LPC to qualify as a lawyer.

I did the GDL then LPC route at the age of thirty....at 35 I am currently working as a 'paralegal' in local government....still waiting for the elusive training contract!!!

MigsyBigsy

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

what is your ultimate aim?

Even if you do the GDL to become a Solicitor you will need to do the 1year Legal Practice Course after it and then a 2 year training contract

If you want to work and study have you considered ILEX? http://www.ilex.org.uk/

what are you doing atm? do you have access to a careers service?

thanks for your reply.

At the moment I am working in the House of Commons in a Committee office. However, I do have an Msc in Humanitarian Assistance, and have experience of a caseworker for the Red Cross working in issues related to immigration. in addition to many years working for NGOs.

The work in the House of Commons is fairly monotonous.

There is a careers service but no funds to pay for a GDL. Whats the difference between the Illex and a GDL. I would still have to pay for the illex and many of the jobs offered in the Illex ask for law degree.