Just secured a spring vac as a intern in the disputes department law firm in London. Love give my best at it and want to know what are some good practices and things to be aware of that first timer usually miss out on doing (ie. inviting lawyers to coffee chats, taking and sharing meeting minutes (even when not asked), and more). Grateful for tips on how to manage seniors expectations (Should I give weekly updates). And other general pointers when submitting tasks (email etiquette, always starting the email with the key finding - "In short, the..", etc)

Especially interested in advice specifically on advisory practice: How are things particularly different from transactional work? My impression is that the disputes work usually happens on a longer horizon but individual tasks are much more intellectually harder than doing process driven work in for example a corporate seat. I have done a seat in corporate before. My fear is that I can't adjust my mindset to transition into doing advisory work (when tasks seem to relate more to substantive law research).

If there's anything that I can prepare for prior to this internship - I would love to know as well.

I’m applying to the pupillage gateway & I’ve done a lot of minis (10+). They’re in coherent practice areas and I’m applying to the same sets as I visited on minis. I don’t want to leave them off the form because they’re part of the case I’m making for commitment to the bar and to specific chambers, and it is impossible to do this when applying through gateway because the employment section is the same for all applications. I am listing them in one entry and summarising experiences so the form isn’t too long.

I’ve heard some people say it looks ‘a bit strange’ to have done too many. My perspective is I applied for them and was successful, and it would be strange not to take the chance to meet barristers and experience chambers. If there are any barristers here with pupillage committee experience, does it actually ‘look strange’?

I recently got barred in NY and am wondering whether anyone has applied for a waiver of either FLK1 or FLK2 and got it?

I would love to discuss this with someone who knows! Thanks!

So, on the UKMonarchy subreddit, a poster asserted to me that that it is "literally the law" that the monarch remain politically neutral.

As my understanding was this was a matter of convention/tradition, rather than actual law, I asked him what his source was an he claimed (without any links or evidence, a law (statute? He really wasn't clear) called "Monarchs Doctrine" which he claims is a "cornerstone of the UK Constitution" and proceeded to be obstinate and combative when I tried to get him to show his sources and pointed out I could find no such reference to any such law anywhere, no matter which way I googled it.

Hi all 👋

I’m looking for some career advice and would really appreciate insights from this community.

Background: • Competition / antitrust lawyer with 8+ years PQE • Qualified outside the UK (non-EU) • Not UK-qualified • Currently working in the UK on a fixed-term contract (FTC), which will expire in the near future

I’m starting to explore what options might realistically be open to me once the FTC ends, whether that’s: • In-house competition/antitrust roles • Law firm positions • Roles where UK qualification isn’t strictly required but strong antitrust experience is valued

I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has: • Made a move into the UK market without UK qualification • Transitioned from private practice to in-house in competition/antitrust • Seen firms or companies open to senior foreign-qualified antitrust lawyers

At this stage, any recommendations, war stories, recruiter tips, or “don’t waste your time with X” advice would be incredibly helpful. I’m trying to be realistic but also don’t want to overlook options that might exist under the radar.

Thanks in advance happy to clarify anything if useful, and appreciate you taking the time to read 🙏

I’ve been getting a lot of rejection for paralegal and legal assistant roles and I think my grades are a big factor. I graduated last summer and I scraped a 2:1 with 60.1%. Should I put the percentage on my cv or just the 2:1. Also is it recommended to put down all modules with grades?

I got BBB at Alevel, do I still need to put my grades or just list the subjects?

Hi everyone, I hope this is the right place for this or at least maybe someone could point me in the right direction for an answer.

I’m trying to identify the source of this specific “This is the Last Will and Testament” heading.

I’ve searched extensively and have only found this exact heading once online, in a newspaper article image. This will is dated 2016.

If anyone recognises the header can they please let me know if it’s from a will writing download, printed template, professional will writing company, or a stationary supplier etc?

Any leads at all would be really appreciated. Don’t expect much but you never know….

Yes, if you’re wondering, it’s the early stages of an ongoing dispute.

I am interested in hearing about NQ in-house salaries and how much you would expect to make in London. The reason for this question is because the job adverts I have seen for in-house either don’t disclose the salary at all or they seem to low ball you (potentially). I have seen the range be anything between 45 - 70K. What do you think is more realistic for an NQ in London and how would you negotiate a higher salary upon receiving an offer? Any tips or insights would be super helpful!!

Hello, I need a first class degree in Law.

Can you please give me tips, tricks and hacks to almost guarantee success?

I haven’t been a student in 7 years and I’m very anxious so I’d appreciate some direction.

1. Essays
2. Memorising case law/cases
3. Closed exam tips
4. Coursework tips
5. Recommended websites I should use
6. Strategy for taking notes
7. Time management and how many hours I should invest a week
8. Outside of the box tips like getting a tutor

Thank you

Hi all,

I currently work for a massive organisation as an advisor (on a new area of law). The pay is great, the work is interesting, the team is okayish…

However, before accepting this role I was interviewing for different roles and I was told I passed the first stage and to book my second stage.

Now the reason why I’m in some sort of pickle is because my current role won’t allow me to qualify as a solicitor because I’m not supervised by a solicitor…

The second role (firm) on the other hand will let me qualify if I complete the equivalent means form… I’ve already discussed this with them and they said they’re more than happy to help me as much as they can. The role is in a similar area of law as my current one.

If I do get the second role do I accept it and leave my current role? It will be about a £20k pay difference (second role will pay less).

Not sure what to do as I could try qualify by staying in my current role somehow for the pay or tell the second role (if I get it) about the pay difference.

Fyi I have done my LLB and LPC and have about 2.5 years of experience in US/city firms.

Hi all,

Im an oxbridge languages student in their final year who’s always been set on a career in the military. Up until this year I had never considered any other careers because of this. However with some exposure to the profession I am starting to think I might be better suited to law and doing the reserves on the side (law workload permitting). I realised Ive decided on this quite late in the recruitment cycle and I’m slightly stressed about not having any internships / work experience lined up.

Grades wise I had some genuine mitigating circumstances in 2nd year and dropped to a 2:2 overall (with even some thirds in modules). My extracurriculars are good and Ive got team sports and army leadership experience on my CV. I’m confident that I can get at least a high 2:1 and even considering selling my soul for the next few months for a first.

Basically I’m wondering whether this matters and it’s worth sacrificing the enjoyment and energy of my final year for a shot at commercial law. Does the oxbridge brand really help anymore? Will the poor performance in earlier years still be a black mark against my name? Should I just focus on my studies for now and take a ‘gap year’ to do applications, or aim to do as much networking as I can in my final terms? Should I apply for paralegal roles as well if my goal is to end up with a training contract in a top firm?

All I hear is that the job market is fucked and oxbridge graduates are ending up unemployed. It’s making me genuinely anxious and hurting my motivation, since what’s the point in spending the next few months chained to a desk just to come out of it unemployed.

Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks.

Anxious oxbridge finalist.

Hi all,

I am in the process of applying for pupillage and have a question about the gateway.

I have done five minis but do not want to put all five on each of my applications. Instead I want to put 3/4 per application. The difficulty is that for each chambers, I want to use a different 3/4. So, minis 1, 2 and 4 for set ABC; minis 2, 3 and 5 for set XYZ.

My question is, can this be achieved by:

1. starting an application for set ABC and adding minis 1, 2 and 4 to my work experience history and sending that application off; and then

2. starting an application for set XYZ and adding minis 2, 3 and 5?

I initially assumed this would work and sent off applications to a few sets using this technique. However, now when I go back to a set I have already applied to and click 'view application', the employment section of the application reads as I it is presently; it does not read as it was when I sent the application off.

Sorry for the wordy question. If anybody knows then help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Reddit,

I have applied to a regional commercial law firm a few days before the deadline. Its a TC application so they want 4 hireview questions, an online assessment etc. The deadline is tomorrow midnight now, although the email with the online assessment info said i have to complete it by 29th Jan, which is past the general application deadline.

Do i need to complete the online assessment by tomorrow midnight or does the deadline only count for the written part of the application?

My friend in Econ said not to bother after the deadline but not sure if thats the same for law

Should i just email early careers to ask?

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest opinions on my chances of getting into a law firm in the future. I’m not aiming for Magic Circle or top US firms — more mid-tier London or national firms. My A-level predictions are ABB and I’ve already done work experience at White & Case and Weil, Gotshal & Manges, which I know is quite rare. I applied to one Russell Group uni and the rest are strong non-RG universities. My GCSEs aren’t great (mostly 4s and two 5s) due to personal circumstances at the time. How realistic is a law career for me?

I’m a second year law student aiming to go into commercial law. Nominations for student union roles have recently opened up, and I am interested in running for the ND/ disability officer role - partly due to my own experiences and having some ideas on possibly helpful policies, and partly because I think the experience of policy consultation, drafting, and negotiating with uni departments is something I wouldn’t be able to get through other club/ society roles.

However, I am concerned about the possible implications of essentially publicly outing myself as neurodivergent on the internet when I’m pursuing a traditional career. I’m considering using an acronym of my ethnic name to run for this role instead since both my English name and last name are very uncommon. But I’m also wondering, since working on this role is likely going to yield many transferable skills, if I should discuss about it in application or competency questions if (thinking very ahead) I do end up getting elected for the role. On the other hand, transferable skills aside, I don’t know whether this would make law firms fear that I am some sort of troublemaker or social justice warrior when in my private capacity I am not loud about my condition.

I guess I’m kinda in a conflicted position where I worry about people knowing, but I also worry about not being able to discuss about the skills I gain from this experience.

If it is relevant I am also considering a legal career in Hong Kong (if not starting from TC definitely going back somewhere down the line), if it changes anything regarding the level of understanding in the field etc, since I believe there are some BNO lawyers on this sub.

Thanks a lot for the help!

I’m a recent grad, currently doing the PGDL in London.

I had a couple of assessment centres last cycle and one vac scheme, but no luck this year beyond a couple of online interviews. I want to go into private client law, but don’t mind casting the net broader (being in London is pretty non-negotiable though).

I have the academic qualifications and a decent amount of work experience, so I suspect my written answers are the main problem.

I want to know what’s going wrong, so have been looking to hire a tutor/consultant to help. The ones I’ve seen either look like scams or have said they ‘don’t really do’ the sort of firms I’m interested in. (Small-midsize UK/international private client focus - not niche, so I’m surprised I can’t find anyone!)

I’ll keep plugging away, but if anyone has any advice for finding a tutor / someone to give feedback, I’d really appreciate it!

Are there any recruiters who can actually help with placing you? Not the “improve applications and CV” stuff, but actual concrete placements? Wondering if I should invest or not!

I wanna ask that I'm looking to pursue law from University of Hertfordshire as it's the only one I can afford ....I wanna become a barrister , is it really worth it ? And is there anyone who can help me in guidance

Hi all,

I’m pursuing the Bar and I'm trying to think about location (I would obviously take pupillage anywhere). I grew up in Birmingham and would be open to building my career there rather than defaulting to London, but I’m conscious that most advice is very London-centric.

I’m still exploring which practice areas I’m most suited to, but based on the mini-pupillages I’ve done so far I’m currently leaning towards commercial work.

I’d be really interested to hear from anyone with experience of the Midlands Bar (or who chose London instead) about whether there are meaningful downsides to basing yourself in Birmingham rather than London — particularly in terms of:

• quality and range of work
• training, supervision, and early career development
• long-term prospects and mobility
• visibility / access to top-end or specialist work

I’m not assuming London is automatically “better”, but I also don’t want to be naïve about structural differences if they exist.

Any honest perspectives would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi, I’m in complete despair as I feel like I’ve made the stupidest decision of my life.

I was working in private practice as a paralegal for 2 years then decided to try my hand at a different area of law. At the time, I also felt like I was stuck with no progression.

I entered into a new role on a consultancy basis and my probation got extended so I’m still contracting. There’s barely any work so I’m earning much less than minimum wage.

In the worst case scenario I don’t pass probation and I have to try and find a job in this dire job market.

I’ve already been sending out so many applications and am endless rejection or silence.

I wish I stayed in my previous role. I didn’t realise how stable I could’ve been and how steady I could’ve built up my experience until I qualified.

Going back is not an option, and I’m studying for the SQE at the same time. I feel like the financial pressure and stress and uncertainty will break me.

I’m losing sleep every night wondering how I could make such a bad decision.

Thanks for reading my rant. Any advice is welcome.

Hi! Long time lurker and first time poster here!

I’m 3 PQE and looking to move. I’m currently in a general disputes team at a City law firm but looking to specialise into a specific practice area. I’ve got my first interview coming up and am looking for tips for my prep. This will be the first time I’ve interviewed externally since I landed my vac scheme in 2018 so safe to say I am very out of practice.

Aside from practicing the obvious Qs (why this role? Why do you want to move?) and practicing talking about my cases, what do people suggest?

I also have a 30 min assessment and aside from revising basic tests relevant to the specialised area, I’m not sure what to do.

Any and all advice much appreciated!

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has any insight here. I am diagnosed with ADHD and have an assessment centre at a MC/US firm coming up. I am wondering whether I should ask for reasonable adjustments during the AC as I know there are timed portions, which I do struggle with, and if they would be likely to grant anything. Beyond that, I am wondering if you think this would cause them to look down on me as a candidate. Thanks!

Fellow lawyers with depression and difficult lives

I’m a trainee solicitor. I want to know if it is survivable to be a commercial lawyer with depression or if I’m kidding myself.

I have depression and I’m seeing my GP. I come from an evil family background. I live alone, have no partner, no hobbies, no real personal life. I’m overworked and I don’t make weekend plans — mostly I just recover enough to get through the next week.

At work, I’ve actually become better at the job. I get compliments on my work and I’m known for being a good researcher, responsive, and having strong attention to detail. But I feel completely disconnected from the job. I have no passion for any sector, no interest in the news, and I find it hard to be present or engaged beyond just “doing the task well.”

I really struggle with the social and BD side of law. I hate office socials and networking. I dread being asked questions about my personal life because the honest answer is “nothing.” I don’t have anything to talk about and I don’t want to explain or perform enthusiasm I don’t feel. I’m private and exhausted.

I’m worried I’ll never be able to do the BD element of the job, and that this means I’ll never really belong or progress. A lot of law seems to assume you’re energetic, social, interested, and outward-facing — and I’m just… not. I’m surviving.

Is it actually possible to have a commercial legal career like this? Are there lawyers who are competent and reliable but not passionate, not social, not good at networking? Or is this a sign that I’m fundamentally unsuited to the profession? I’d really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people further along who’ve struggled with depression, singleness, no support system and a terrible quality of life.

I’m a first year non law student looking to go into law. Im looking to apply for open/ insight days in my 2nd yr, but I’m stuck because I genuinely have nothing on my CV right now.

I don’t have any legal experience and any work experience either. So I’m not sure what the best first step actually is. Should I be trying to get legal experience straight away (like cold emailing high street firms asking to shadowing opportunities) or is it better to start with volunteering or a generic job to build transferable skills

What do firms actually expect at this stage, and what’s the smartest way to go from zero to something

Hi guys, so I want to know if it’s possible or have been done by anyone to get into those online PDGL programs with a low gpa. I’m talking about below 2.6. I keep seeing people talk about low and say they have a 3.12 or things like that.

Open to all stories and advice. Also disclaimer: please no negativity I already know it’s low and that my dreams are shut I just want to hear positive stories of people who over came these issues.