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AIBU?

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Original poster

To desperately seek training advice from lawyers?

35 replies

Starlingexpress · 15/07/2024 14:37

Apologies in advance for being cagey with some details but I’m struggling to navigate forward with a DC with lots of historical issues and am having to be careful of boundaries but am getting to the stage where I’m so confused about options that I really need help before another difficult conversation.

They have a law degree and for various logistical and financial family reasons, rather than have the year out they wanted, have nearly finished an MA and SQE online. Had a very close fail with first SQE exam and has resat awaiting results. Assignments/portfolios all passed so far.

Again, for practical, financial reasons I need them to move forwards regardless of outcome of exams but am unsure of how they can do that.

Is a paralegal role reasonable? Or a training contract to repeat SQE in it’s entirety? Or a completely different route? ( These are all things they’ve talked about but not actioned)

Would you recommend emailing every solicitor locally to see if there are any opportunities?

Please be gentle. I’m totally unfamiliar with this area and dealing with a very headstrong DC who is a hard worker but very much a last minute action taker!

OP posts:
DappledOliveGroves · 15/07/2024 15:24

In the nicest possible way, your DC needs to be the one doing the legwork, not you. The fact they don't seem to understand the routes to being a qualified solicitor and haven't planned the requisite next steps is a concern. I think you need to step back and let them sort out their career. My parents wouldn't have had the first idea about qualifying as a solicitor and I did all my applications without any input from them whatsoever.

Original poster
Starlingexpress · 15/07/2024 15:23

BenFoglesScarf · 15/07/2024 15:05

Hi Op,
I am involved in delivering SQE training and first of all, I would say that many students do find the course tough! In addition you say your DC is doing the online option which does require a lot of motivation.
Your DC should be able to access careers support through their training provider and I would suggest that they take full advantage of this. If they have a personal tutor they should also contact them to discuss.
Your DC could try contacting local firms for paralegal work but, having come this far with the SQE, may want to concentrate on passing resits for the moment.
Hope this helps!

Thank you. That’s really useful. I’m just not sure of what timescale is reasonable in terms of resits. But at the same time they’ve worked really hard alongside working to part fund themselves. I want to continue to support but also have other DC going to university soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Starlingexpress · 15/07/2024 15:19

JollyGreenSnake · 15/07/2024 14:51

OP, are you honestly suggesting that you would email solicitors/potential training options on your DC's behalf? Please don't... I'm not a lawyer, but if I received an email from the parent of an adult applicant, I think it would reflect so poorly on them, and raise a massive 'red flag' as a candidate.

It really is up to DC to navigate their next step in life, and they have identified options to pursue. You can certainly emphasize that you need them to pursue an option, and that you're willing to cheer them on.

Good luck!

No I’m not suggesting that all all. Thanks.

OP posts:
BenFoglesScarf · 15/07/2024 15:05

Hi Op,
I am involved in delivering SQE training and first of all, I would say that many students do find the course tough! In addition you say your DC is doing the online option which does require a lot of motivation.
Your DC should be able to access careers support through their training provider and I would suggest that they take full advantage of this. If they have a personal tutor they should also contact them to discuss.
Your DC could try contacting local firms for paralegal work but, having come this far with the SQE, may want to concentrate on passing resits for the moment.
Hope this helps!

UnbelievableLie · 15/07/2024 15:00

You can't push them through specialist training and into a career. They must want it and be good at it on their own. It's a very tricky profession even for people who are great at it so chances of them succeeding, given how you've described them, are slim to none.

NeverHadHaveHas · 15/07/2024 14:59

It’s nearly 20 years since I qualified so this may be outdated but I don’t think you can start a training contract without having completed the LPC or SQE.

Also, with regard to e mailing every firm in the area, what type of law does your child want to do? That will dictate which firms they contact. If they want to do corporate/commercial work for example no point e mailing a high street firm dealing with mainly resi/private client etc.

At most firms I have worked for, trainees have spent time as a paralegal beforehand.

Also, kindly, law if so competitive. I don’t know any students in my intake who failed an exam on the LPC. I’m not sure how the SQE is graded but on the LPC very few students who got a pass rather than merit or distinction got TC’s in the end. If they are scraping through at this stage, they may find the actual job quite challenging.

Heronwatcher · 15/07/2024 14:55

A last minute action taker/ bad planner sounds like a recipe for disaster in a legal career too.

Heronwatcher · 15/07/2024 14:54

I don’t completely understand, but are you saying that they have just failed one module of their SQE. If so by far the best thing would be to retake that as quickly as possible.

If they don’t pass the SQE then they will never get a training contract or be admitted as a practising solicitor. The only option is likely to be a career paralegal (not a brilliant career) or something like a trademark specialist or legal executive when you don’t need to be admitted as a solicitor but not great options.

More generally your DC needs to work this out for themselves- if they are finding the SQE a struggle or are being passive about next steps then this may not be the career for them.

FriendlyNeighbourhoodAccountant · 15/07/2024 14:54

Most training contracts (as far as I'm aware) recruit 1-2 years in advance so I'm not sure how feasible that plan would be. They're also like hen's teeth.

JollyGreenSnake · 15/07/2024 14:51

OP, are you honestly suggesting that you would email solicitors/potential training options on your DC's behalf? Please don't... I'm not a lawyer, but if I received an email from the parent of an adult applicant, I think it would reflect so poorly on them, and raise a massive 'red flag' as a candidate.

It really is up to DC to navigate their next step in life, and they have identified options to pursue. You can certainly emphasize that you need them to pursue an option, and that you're willing to cheer them on.

Good luck!