Jessica Booker
Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
- Aug 1, 2019
- 14,403
- 20,082
Chambers Student Guide says:
- Training contracts pa: up to 80
Chambers Student Guide says:
Out of interest, how will the SQE affect training contract places in the coming years? would it be less competitive as I heard people who are legal assistants/paralegals can easily qualify via their current experienceThere could be an interesting dynamic this year for many firms (not sure if this is the case for Freshfields) as they could be recruiting less candidates this year and yet still be recruiting the same number of people in the cohort, because the SQE could be shortening the timescales in legal education, especially for non-law grads.
It could also be the case that firms have had to defer more trainees from previous years due to the pandemic.
If anything I expect it to become more competitive. As you no longer have to commit to the GDL/LPC, it becomes more affordable for people to seek the qualification route.Out of interest, how will the SQE affect training contract places in the coming years? would it be less competitive as I heard people who are legal assistants/paralegals can easily qualify via their current experience
When will the SQE start? Is it for the people applying for the 2023 training contracts or 2024? Why is the SQE so hard to pass? ... this has scared me 😳If anything I expect it to become more competitive. As you no longer have to commit to the GDL/LPC, it becomes more affordable for people to seek the qualification route.
Also it opens the market up to international qualified lawyers too. The people who would have taken the QLTS and have qualified through this, now need to do the SQE and gain 2 years work experience too.
But the number of opportunities will dramatically increase too. As the qualifying work experience piece is no longer regulated, it means anyone can offer qualifying work experience, while currently an organisation would need to be approved by the SRA as a recognised training provider and have a training principal who signs off the “period of recognised training”.
The other thing that will make it less competitive is people are less likely to pass the SQE than the LPC. Pass rates will be significantly lower - and so there will be a much higher attrition rate where people do not pass the qualification exams. So if anything, expect firms to up their total “training contract” numbers, but expecting that 20%+ off their trainees will either not pass probation periods (which currently don’t exist) or don’t pass SQE1 and/or 2.
Its already started - first exams for SQE will be this November.When will the SQE start? Is it for the people applying for the 2023 training contracts or 2024? Why is the SQE so hard to pass? ... this has scared me 😳
Thank you, good to know! Do you know the firms who have already started this? @Jessica BookerIts already started - first exams for SQE will be this November.
There is a transition period where people can still do existing route (depending on their circumstances).
It depends on the firm you are applying to. Some are transitioning to the SQE in 2023, some in 2024. Some will allow people to take the existing route for a few more years though. You really need to find this out from each firm you apply to.
No - I haven’t got details of all firms.Thank you, good to know! Do you know the firms who have already started this? @Jessica Booker
I sent an email to grad recruitment in December about this as I also have done the MA Law conversion course and they said to me that I would be classed as a law student and so could apply in the summer window if I wanted to 🙂I'm thinking of applying for Freshfields direct TC in the summer window, but I'm unsure if I'm eligible and wondering if anyone can help.
They state on their website that GDL graduates can apply. I am currently doing a masters version of a GDL and will finish the GDL portion in April, but I have a project that is not due until the end of July, which is after their deadline. I should get my results from the April exams in June. Do you think I will be eligible to apply for a direct TC (assuming I pass)?
@Jessica Booker maybe you can advise on this?
You have started the GDL so are eligible to apply in the summer window.I'm thinking of applying for Freshfields direct TC in the summer window, but I'm unsure if I'm eligible and wondering if anyone can help.
They state on their website that GDL graduates can apply. I am currently doing a masters version of a GDL and will finish the GDL portion in April, but I have a project that is not due until the end of July, which is after their deadline. I should get my results from the April exams in June. Do you think I will be eligible to apply for a direct TC (assuming I pass)?
@Jessica Booker maybe you can advise on this?
Got an AC invite yesterdayHas anyone heard from Hogan Lovells about Direct TCs? Saw a couple of people got PFOs at the beginning of March but nothing since then
nothing for me as wellHas anyone heard from Hogan Lovells about Direct TCs? Saw a couple of people got PFOs at the beginning of March but nothing since then