any solicitors in Edinburgh (or anywhere else) want to give me a job?

[beansmum]

In about 5 years time.

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, just wondering if anyone takes on trainees without a law degree. I know it is technically possible to get some kind of pre-diploma training contract and study for the professional exams but does it actually happen?

I would have a degree, just not in law.

WHy don't you do the LLB conversion beansmum?

It's 2 years in scotland isn't it? and very expensive.

It is 2 years plus 1 year for your training contract, costs generally £11/£12K for the 2 year plus around £4k for the DLP (if you don't get funding) so your right again not cheap.

But I think your chances of a vocational traineeship are slim TBH from what I understand the 3 that are awarded each year tend to be given to para-legal staff or staff already working in law firms - v. difficult to get in the door for one. Also the lack of at least an ordinary law degree is viewed dimly for promotion and you can't get admitted to the Faculty (if that floats your boat) without one I think.

poo.
Oh well, at least I know now and can think of a new plan. Might just have to start saving.

Aye but shy bairns get nowt and if the only route open to you is the vocational traineeship then get a letter written and sent out you might get a surprise!

When I was applying for training places when I left Uni (accountancy not law at that stage) one girl was rejected at the 2nd stage of the process - she kept on and on, got a meeting with the training partner and got her traineeship! She is now a Director with the same firm!

Good Luck

I'm not going to give up. I've decided that this is what I really want to do and I'll find a way! Is it possible to just sit the Law Society Exams yourself and then do the Diploma in Legal Practice?

Hi there- i'm a lawyer in edinburgh but don't know the answer to your queries. however,here's a link to the relevant page of scottish law soc website that may assist

www.lawscot.org.uk/training/

Gomez,
If you don't mind my asking, how do you find the conversion course?

Is it hard to get funding for the diploma if you haven't done the honours LLB - b/c the conversion results in an ordinary, doesn't it?

I'm due to start at Strathclyde for the full on, b/c it's a part-time programme w/a good rep, but it's a looooong haul unless I can go full-time once get to honours.

Hey Expat - I have no idea as I haven't started yet!

Should have started last year at Strathclyde but house sale balls-up led to slight cash-flow problem (i.e. two mortgages plus huge fees don't mix ) So deferred to this this year but am now due baby number 3 in October so that will be me until September 2007. I am thinking of applying for Stirling thou' rather than Strathclyde to limit my commute. Also because it is a new department and is attracting lots of really good teaching/research staff. They may also be offering the DLP in a couple of years - are going through the process now with the Law Society.

I was told (by Glasgow/Edinburgh and Strathclyde) that conversion students often get a quota place on the DLP as they, as a rule, perform far better at LLB level than the direct entrants. The conversion does lead to an ordinary but I was advised any impact of this was negated if you have an honours degree in another subject - which I do.

You are brave woman - 6 years part-time jesus! I thought about this but having completed an MBA part-time just couldn't do it again!

You'll be able to help me out next year!

Congrats, gomez! :)

That was my chief concern, funding for the DLP -not just a place - b/c I hear it can cost a LOT, on top of those fees for the LLB conversion, that could be some serious debt and I'm just not willing to take that on.

I have an honours degree also. In English.

My plan is to do part-time the first two years so as to not accrue debt, then go full time thereafter - b/c my kids will be in school/nursery age by then - so it probably won't take 6 years. But 5 seems more likely.

Didn't realise STirling had a programme. That's ace!

Even more so if they get a DLP in place.

Fess are/will be around the £4000 mark for the DLP I think - but on top of £12,000 for the conversion, plus childcare, plus commuting it all becomes a bit horrendous!