Training Contracts

What are Training Contracts?
Armed with the experience of applying for vacation schemes, applications for training contracts should be a breeze. Some firms opt to have similar forms for the two schemes whilst some firms even have only one form for the two schemes. If a firm provides you with the latter option, all they tend to ask from your application for training contracts is to continue from where you left off at the vacation scheme application stage.

Though this can be interpreted as a relief in burden, it can also be viewed as a greater challenge to change the graduate recruitment officer's mind. If I wasn't attracted enough to your vacation scheme application, why should I be towards this present one? Though, it would be consoling to know that many career guides have commented upon the fact that the odds are greater against clinching a vacation scheme than towards a training contract. There are generally more applications for every vacation scheme as compared to every training contract. Having said that, it is worthwhile to know that competition for training contracts is still very fierce.

Application for Training Contracts in UK (for aspiring Solicitors)
Let's give an ideal scenario:
You have spent the summer of your Penultimate Year undertaking vacation schemes at various UK firms. The next logical step to take is then to decide on the firms of your choice, and send in applications for training contracts (to commence 2 years later). The firms will view your applications and call you in for interviews, usually in the period from 1st September (of your Final Year) onwards. Having read up thoroughly on the firm's strengths and possessing general commercial knowledge derived from the Financial Times, you ace your interview. Next, you apply for the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and having already clinched a training contract with a top UK law firm, you are almost guaranteed entrance into the Law School of your (sometimes, of the firm's) choice. Remember to enrol with the Law Society in UK though, as you must be a student member to do the LPC. As summer approaches, do remember to accept the LPC place. Then, enjoy and make the best out of your summer!

Now, departing from Utopia, we approach Reality:
You might have not obtained the vacation schemes at the crème of the crop UK law firms. Still, having lowered your expectations, you have gained some relevant experience with other law firms. Do not belittle these experiences!

Not only will they count when the firms evaluate your CV for the training contract, the experience has also enhanced your knowledge of how a law firm works in general. It might even have changed your mind about working in a competitive environment at large international law firms. Maybe working in a smaller firm with more one-on-one mentoring turns out to be more your cup of tea…

Even though you had not managed to gain a vacation work experience in a firm, does not mean that you cannot apply for that firm's training contract. Few firms hand out 100% of their training contracts to vacation attachés. Not a 100% of vacation Attachés get offered training contracts. Go ahead and apply for the Training Contracts offered in firms of your choice.

Remember though, do not apply to half of all the UK law firms. "Fishing" with such a wide net often means shoddy applications. And shoddy applications do not tend to find favour amongst Graduate Recruitment Officers. As like when you applied for the vacation schemes, research thoroughly into the firm and tailor your application to the firm. Also, remember to mention how you put the previous summer to good use by gaining relevant work experience at other firms.

With your applications in, all you have to do now is to wait for the interview appointments to start coming through to the mailbox. Then similar to what people in Utopia do, you proceed to the interviews, well prepared. You apply for the LPC. All at the same time, you must be busy maintaining your 2:1 (or above) classification.

What happens if the firms still have not realized my worth? What are my options of practising in UK? Think hard. Do I really want to be a solicitor?

If the answer's positive, then go ahead and apply for the LPC regardless. In case you didn't know, the Law Schools do admit students without training contracts. The only perk of attending the Law School with a training contract is that the law firm pays for the tuition fees (and provides a healthy allowance at the same time). If you can do without these pecuniary benefits and have the financial ability to put yourself (coupled with parental assistance) through Law School, then it will not make much of a difference.

Take the additional time to think it through the kind of firm you are interested in. The area of legal practice that suits your character and the type of working environment you yearn for. In your LPC year, continue to make training contracts applications, and may the "Force Be With You"!

What you have mentioned so far is not relevant to me at all. I want to be a Barrister. Yes, you heard me right I want to be a Barrister in UK. How should I go about achieving that goal?

Application for Mini-Pupillages in UK (for aspiring Barristers)
First, it is important to note that having qualified from the Bar in UK will not enable you to practice Law in Singapore immediately. You will still be required to take the relevant Bar examinations in Singapore if you wish to practise in Singapore. Having set that record straight, let's go into the steps to take to lead you closer to ambitions of becoming a Queen's Counsel.

Similar to aspiring Solicitors, you should draft a CV and get it vetted by either the Career Services in your university or your tutors at the start of your Penultimate year. At the same time, try to get involved in the Mooting/Debating activities which your relevant student bodies organises. Also, remember to conscientiously build up your CV with extra-curricular activities. As your fellow colleagues apply for Vacation Placements, you should also be applying for Mini-Pupillages.

Mini-Pupillages are available all year and are the process of shadowing Barristers for 3-5 days. You can make further research on these opportunities in the Law Career Guidebooks, the internet and of course, the good old Careers Services in your university. Most applications for Mini-Pupillages only involve the sending of a CV and a Cover Letter. In summer, you should be undertaking your Mini-Pupillages and/or relevant legal work experience. Do take note of any early closing dates for pupillages though. As you commence your Final Year, it is time to make applications for the Bar Vocational Course (BVC). Of course, never apply for something without having done ample research. Various institutions provide the BVC, join an Inn of Court and find out what your Inn can offer. It is obviously important to have a rough idea of the source of your BVC funding by this time.

After the January University examinations, continue your search for a pupillage. Attend the National Pupillage Fair at Lincoln's Inn. Get relevant handbooks that complies essential information you would require to secure a pupillage. Make applications for pupillages at www.olpas.co.uk. Note that not all Chambers are currently members of the OLPAS. So Chambers may still require the traditional forms of application. After settling the applications, the interviews will then be the next hurdle to overcome.

Similarly, if you do not manage to clinch a pupillage before you actually start your BVC, fret not. If you try hard enough, you may just land yourself with an interview appointment.