Looking for advice on Law

[NeedLawadvice]

Hi I'm looking for some advice, very confused at the moment and would love some direction.

I'm very keen to peruse a career in Law but unsure on how to proceeded.
I'm 26, have excellent Standard Grades but bad Higher's, that I took over two years during which I was unwell. I took the news of my terrible higher grades very bad and decided to take some time out from studying and became a Nanny. I'm now a SAHM.

I was considering going down the Open University route, I'm very self motivated, doing Law then going onto a brick university for the post grad part.
I was wondering how generally an Open University LLB would be viewed in regards to getting into a brick built university (Ideally Glasgow or Edinburgh) as I'm aware they a very over-scribed?

I'm certain due to my terrible higher's I won't get into a brick university, is there anything I could do to improve this possibility?
One Idea I had was to do the first year of the Open U LLB and see if I would then be accepted into a brick university.
I'm also looking into studying Latin, as i find it very interesting, I've also been told that Universities would look favorably on some sort of certificate/interest in Latin.

I know that I could do another degree and convert, but I much prefer the idea of studying Law.

Have I left it too late to start studying, with the aim of becoming a Solicitor?

I'm not sure about the highers etc ? Are you in Scotland or Ireland?
I went to uni part time with crap A level results - they were more interested in whether i could pay the fees !
I think you should contact your local Uni and find out if you could do it part time or full time and what the actual requirements are - you may find as a mature student they are not worried about your results - they are explained anyway because you were ill.

What i would say is it is very competitive area and very hard to get a training contract at the end of it which you need in order to be qualified.

Have you considered legal executive role?

Some firms will be put off by open uni degree but some wont - there is a lots of competition they can afford to stipulate whatever they like

Hi there, I completed my LLB with the OU last year. I too under achieved at school, went out to work and then became interested in legal issues through work. Takes 6 years from start to finish (although can be quicker if super dedicated and clever!). Main benefit to me was able to keep working and earning and was left to me to decide when and what hours I studied.

Prospectus states 20 hours a week, but I did nothing like that, although worked hard when the assignments were due in spent whole weekends doing them and then nothing the weeks after so very flexible on my time.

If you are prepared to work hard a First LLB from the OU is as keenly received as a first from any other university. I had vague thoughts about being a solicitor but my work life took me to criminal justice and I took my honours module in Criminology rather than employment/EU law and am now seeking work with the Probation Service.

With regard to your age, I attended a course with a woman who was going to be 45 when she started work as a solicitor and she said she was planning on having 10 good years before retiring so at 26 you are a mere babe.

Good luck.

G

racman Thank you for your reply , I'm in Scotland but DH and I have the tendency to be nomadic and happy to move around for opportunities.

I would consider a Legal Executive role, is there a particular route into this area? I quite like the idea of specialising so it certainly appeals.
The training contract is what I'm most worried about, being that it is so competitive, although I'm very keen I'm not massively ambitious I don't want to be a Barrister or even aim for an elite law firm just a satisfying career that will continue to interest.

Ginny Wow 6 years I didn't realize they took so long I assumed it was 3 years like an English university.
I do plan to be very dedicate, putting DS into some form of childcare part time in order to really apply myself.

It's great to know I'm not past it for a law career. at being called a Bebe.

Is there anything you would recommend I do/read in preparation for an OpenU LLB?
Could I also be cheeky and ask what it cost you overall?

DH would prefer I went to a brick Uni as in Scotland I will have the fees payed but DS is still a baby and I would like to still be at home with him for a little longer.

Bump.

hi,

I think you need to be careful about the distinction between an Open Uni LLB (which is English Law) and the pt LLBs you can do at Strathclyde, Caledonian and possibly other Scottish Unis which will give you a Scottish Law degree.

The English and Scottish legal system are not interchangable. You have to decide which jurisdiction you want to ractice in then stick with it. Unless you do a conversion course (2-4yrs+), you are either an English or a Scottish lawyer, not both.

I started the pt LLB at Strathclyde. It takes 6 years if you dont have a previous degree. You get 2 nights of 2 hour lectures a week and fortnightly(?) tutorials on Saturday ams. I didnt find the coursevery well designed for mature students as it is just the normal course, repeated in the evenings. All the assignments/exams are clustered together at the end of the term.

In contrast the Open Uni LLB (which I am doing now) is tailored to mature students. It takes 5 years if you dont have a previous degree, the assignments are spread out, it is lectureless and (most of) the tutors are very nice.

I know that being a Scottish student studying English Law means I'll eventually have to move down south but that's not for a while yet and at least you can stay with the OU wherever you move during your studies.

I also considered that there are more career opportunities in England (but possibly more competition?), higher salaries and less of a glass ceiling for women.

Also bear in mind that the OU year runs from Feb til Oct so you have to apply by Dec and when you finish you have almost a year gap between graduating and starting the LPC/BVC.

Oh and finally you can do the postgrad bit of English Law (LPC/BVC) pt but not the Scottish Dip (as far as I know).

Hope this helps