Some advice for my next steps (after GDL)

[Jooooopp7]

Hi there! I was wanting to get some advice and other people's perspectives on my options after the GDL which I will be finishing in April this year.
I know that the SQE is being introduced which I feel complicates things as I now feel pressure to start the LPC but obviously this is v expensive and I have yet to even gain a vac scheme let alone a TC (I'm still applying to but really losing hope at this point)
Would a year out in between the GDL and LPC be okay considering that firms will want to start introducing the SQE v soon?
I was also wondering whether applications during the LPC is doable? I understand the course in even more intense than the GDL and I've already found it difficult to balance studies and applications, prep for interviews etc so really not sure if I would be sacrificing the quality of either of those during the LPC??
I've noticed a lot of paralegal/legal assistant jobs that are advertised seem to want previous experience but unsure of where to get this in the first place - would it be worth sending speculative applications to local firms?
And generally, any advice on how to fill my summer/time productively that would help applications for between now and the LPC/whatever I end up doing??
Just wondering what others who are in a similar position are thinking of doing??

Thanks so much for the help!!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hi there! I was wanting to get some advice and other people's perspectives on my options after the GDL which I will be finishing in April this year.
I know that the SQE is being introduced which I feel complicates things as I now feel pressure to start the LPC but obviously this is v expensive and I have yet to even gain a vac scheme let alone a TC (I'm still applying to but really losing hope at this point)
Would a year out in between the GDL and LPC be okay considering that firms will want to start introducing the SQE v soon?
I was also wondering whether applications during the LPC is doable? I understand the course in even more intense than the GDL and I've already found it difficult to balance studies and applications, prep for interviews etc so really not sure if I would be sacrificing the quality of either of those during the LPC??
I've noticed a lot of paralegal/legal assistant jobs that are advertised seem to want previous experience but unsure of where to get this in the first place - would it be worth sending speculative applications to local firms?
And generally, any advice on how to fill my summer/time productively that would help applications for between now and the LPC/whatever I end up doing??
Just wondering what others who are in a similar position are thinking of doing??

Thanks so much for the help!!

I'd heard that the LPC was a bit more relaxed than the GDL course... (at least the full-time version - accelerated may be different) so I imagine you'll definitely be able to do applications throughout the LPC if you could afford to do it.

A lot of my friends who haven't secured TCs this year are taking a year out to work e.g. as paralegals and still apply as they don't want to do the LPC without a firm's sponsorship so it is very common and I wouldn't worry

 

[Jooooopp7]

I'd heard that the LPC was a bit more relaxed than the GDL course... (at least the full-time version - accelerated may be different) so I imagine you'll definitely be able to do applications throughout the LPC if you could afford to do it.

A lot of my friends who haven't secured TCs this year are taking a year out to work e.g. as paralegals and still apply as they don't want to do the LPC without a firm's sponsorship so it is very common and I wouldn't worry

ah thank you for your response! thats very reassuring!
I was wondering if you know whether taking a year out now would mean I would have to do the SQE rather than the LPC or would that just depend on the firm?

 

[Daniel Boden]

ah thank you for your response! thats very reassuring!
I was wondering if you know whether taking a year out now would mean I would have to do the SQE rather than the LPC or would that just depend on the firm?

You technically have until 2032 to do the LPC but yeah it will just depend on the firm as many will switch to the SQE and will no longer use the LPC

 

[Jessica Booker]

ah thank you for your response! thats very reassuring!
I was wondering if you know whether taking a year out now would mean I would have to do the SQE rather than the LPC or would that just depend on the firm?

It is going to depend on the firm you are employed by.

Many firms will be moving to the SQE from 2024 onwards because non-law applicants who haven’t started the GDL this year will have to do the SQE. It’s just easier to move everyone to the new system rather than having a dual qualification process.