Should I apply for VacationScheme/Training Contract or NQ positions?

[johnjohn1997]

Hello, I am a foreign lawyer in a common law jurisdiction (with 1 PQE). I plan to move to UK and to qualify as a solicitor in the UK via the SQE route. In additon, I plan to pursue a LLM in London as I want to further my academic goal and to build networks.

After passing the SQE and while studying LLM, I am confused as to whether I should still apply for VS/TC in law firms or directly apply for NQ positions? Becuase I am not sure if I will be over-qualified for VS/TC on the one hand, while lacking local legal epxerience for NQ position on the other hand.

Would anyone share any insights regarding such career route? Thank you a lot!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, I am a foreign lawyer in a common law jurisdiction (with 1 PQE). I plan to move to UK and to qualify as a solicitor in the UK via the SQE route. In additon, I plan to pursue a LLM in London as I want to further my academic goal and to build networks.

After passing the SQE and while studying LLM, I am confused as to whether I should still apply for VS/TC in law firms or directly apply for NQ positions? Becuase I am not sure if I will be over-qualified for VS/TC on the one hand, while lacking local legal epxerience for NQ position on the other hand.

Would anyone share any insights regarding such career route? Thank you a lot!

As you only have 1 years' experience in another jurisdiction, most people will advise you to go for VS/TC roles as you won't be able to compete with the vast majority of candidates at NQ level who will have 2 years' experience working on English law matters.

The general rule is most firms will discount 2-3 years' qualified experience in another jurisdiction before considering someone as comparable to a candidate who trained in England and Wales.

 

[johnjohn1997]

As you only have 1 years' experience in another jurisdiction, most people will advise you to go for VS/TC roles as you won't be able to compete with the vast majority of candidates at NQ level who will have 2 years' experience working on English law matters.

The general rule is most firms will discount 2-3 years' qualified experience in another jurisdiction before considering someone as comparable to a candidate who trained in England and Wales.

i see. Thank you Jessica. Regarding the timeline, I have checked that some law firms are already recruting TC 2027, does that mean I have to apply for VS/TC way before I start my intended LLM program ? Or should I apply for them during my LLM program by using the career services offered by the law schools?

 

[Jessica Booker]

i see. Thank you Jessica. Regarding the timeline, I have checked that some law firms are already recruting TC 2027, does that mean I have to apply for VS/TC way before I start my intended LLM program ? Or should I apply for them during my LLM program by using the career services offered by the law schools?

If you want to start a TC in 2027 or 2028, you should apply this cycle rather than waiting for your LLM to start. Firms are likely to be recruiting for 2028/29 by the time you start your LLM.

 

[johnjohn1997]

But would it be not practicable for law firms to make an offer of TC to me, considering that I have not even started the potential LLM yet?
If that is the case, would applying for paralegal be a practicable choice? Or should I apply for both positions?

 

[Jessica Booker]

But would it be not practicable for law firms to make an offer of TC to me, considering that I have not even started the potential LLM yet?
If that is the case, would applying for paralegal be a practicable choice? Or should I apply for both positions?

It is not an issue that your LLM hasn’t started.

You can apply for both sets of positions though if you feel it’s appropriate to apply for both.

 

[johnjohn1997]

If I apply for TC, there will be assessment centres and physical interviews. However, I will be still in my current jurisdiction and will only arrive UK shortly before the LLM program starts. If I am applying for the TC 2027 cycle, would there be a chance that the assessment would already start before my intended arrival in UK, and thus jeopardise my application? Or would there be accomodation for international applicants?

 

[johnjohn1997]

It is not an issue that your LLM hasn’t started.

You can apply for both sets of positions though if you feel it’s appropriate to apply for both.

Because on the other hand I’m not sure if I should wait to use the career resources offered by law schools during LLM to find TC, and would that be more beneficial for securing a TC.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Because on the other hand I’m not sure if I should wait to use the career resources offered by law schools during LLM to find TC, and would that be more beneficial for securing a TC.

The resources at university should complement your own activities to ensure you secure a TC. You can’t really rely on university support, and this can vary quite massively in terms of quality from university anyway.

 

[johnjohn1997]

The resources at university should complement your own activities to ensure you secure a TC. You can’t really rely on university support, and this can vary quite massively in terms of quality from university anyway.

If I apply for TC, there will be assessment centres and physical interviews. However, I will be still in my current jurisdiction and will only arrive UK shortly before the LLM program starts. If I am applying for the TC 2027 cycle, would there be a chance that the assessment would already start before my intended arrival in UK, and thus jeopardise my application? Or would there usually be accomodation for international applicants?