Is BPTC a better option?


dsmatharu

HI, I have just completed my LL.B from India. My plans were to do LPC from UK and thereafter obtain a training-contract and then clear QLTT which would make me eligible to practice law in UK as a solicitor. But as from the information I have gathered, obtaining a training-contract is not that easy and certainly next to impossible with my 2:2 degree (58%). Now I am thinking I should rather go for a BPTC (Bar Professional Training course) because with my 2:2 degree I am very much eligible for that. I should rather try qualifying as a barrister than a solicitor. Can anyone please give me some suggestions??

HI, I have just completed my LL.B from India. My plans were to do LPC from UK and thereafter obtain a training-contract and then clear QLTT which would make me eligible to practice law in UK as a solicitor. But as from the information I have gathered, obtaining a training-contract is not that easy and certainly next to impossible with my 2:2 degree (58%). Now I am thinking I should rather go for a BPTC (Bar Professional Training course) because with my 2:2 degree I am very much eligible for that. I should rather try qualifying as a barrister than a solicitor. Can anyone please give me some suggestions??
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Good Gosh

HI, I have just completed my LL.B from India. My plans were to do LPC from UK and thereafter obtain a training-contract and then clear QLTT which would make me eligible to practice law in UK as a solicitor. But as from the information I have gathered, obtaining a training-contract is not that easy and certainly next to impossible with my 2:2 degree (58%). Now I am thinking I should rather go for a BPTC (Bar Professional Training course) because with my 2:2 degree I am very much eligible for that. I should rather try qualifying as a barrister than a solicitor. Can anyone please give me some suggestions??


i would advise you strongly against pursuing that option. it is almost certainly impossible (something like a 1-2% chance) to become a barrister with a 2.2. the bar is MUCH more competitive than the city. in the UK obtaining a training contract is nowhere near as difficult as obtaining a pupillage, and i'm sorry to say with a 2.2 your chances are rather limited. bear in mind that of the graduating lawyers usually the best and the brightest have the audacity to attempt the bar. it will be hefty competition. as for only needing a 2.2 to enroll on the BPTC, it's no skin off the BPTC providers' hide to take £15 000 of your money and you not securing a pupillage...

<blockquote>HI, I have just completed my LL.B from India. My plans were to do LPC from UK and thereafter obtain a training-contract and then clear QLTT which would make me eligible to practice law in UK as a solicitor. But as from the information I have gathered, obtaining a training-contract is not that easy and certainly next to impossible with my 2:2 degree (58%). Now I am thinking I should rather go for a BPTC (Bar Professional Training course) because with my 2:2 degree I am very much eligible for that. I should rather try qualifying as a barrister than a solicitor. Can anyone please give me some suggestions?? </blockquote>

i would advise you strongly against pursuing that option. it is almost certainly impossible (something like a 1-2% chance) to become a barrister with a 2.2. the bar is MUCH more competitive than the city. in the UK obtaining a training contract is nowhere near as difficult as obtaining a pupillage, and i'm sorry to say with a 2.2 your chances are rather limited. bear in mind that of the graduating lawyers usually the best and the brightest have the audacity to attempt the bar. it will be hefty competition. as for only needing a 2.2 to enroll on the BPTC, it's no skin off the BPTC providers' hide to take £15 000 of your money and you not securing a pupillage...
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LLMblogger

I agree with Good Gosh.
Getting a pupillage is an extremely competitive process. I've known people with firsts from Oxbridge who've struggled to get pupillages. Only a handful of Chambers set 2:2 as a minimum requirement (which, in practice means a good 2:1). There are less than 500 pupillages in England and Wales in total each year with several thousand applicants, most of whom have firsts or high 2:1s.

Getting a training contract isn't easy either, but at least there are more options, especially with the smaller firms. If I were you, I would look into my options with such firms (e.g. minimum degree requirements) before paying 10K for an LPC, unless of course it can help you back home.

Good luck

I agree with Good Gosh.
Getting a pupillage is an extremely competitive process. I've known people with firsts from Oxbridge who've struggled to get pupillages. Only a handful of Chambers set 2:2 as a minimum requirement (which, in practice means a good 2:1). There are less than 500 pupillages in England and Wales in total each year with several thousand applicants, most of whom have firsts or high 2:1s.

Getting a training contract isn't easy either, but at least there are more options, especially with the smaller firms. If I were you, I would look into my options with such firms (e.g. minimum degree requirements) before paying 10K for an LPC, unless of course it can help you back home.

Good luck

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dsmatharu

Thank you Good Gosh and LLMblogger for your much needed suggestions. Yes, spending that much money on these courses with least surety is not very wise and they are certainly not going to help me back home. But even an LLM is no good be it from UK, US, CANADA or even SINGAPORE. Admission to the bar and practicing law in each country is based upon the graduate degree. So does that mean that I am left with no choice but to practice in my home country?? I mean nowhere abroad? What about CANADA? They have started recognizing Indian LL.B with effect from 2009. Am I eligible for that? If yes, can you tell me what procedure to follow

Thank you Good Gosh and LLMblogger for your much needed suggestions. Yes, spending that much money on these courses with least surety is not very wise and they are certainly not going to help me back home. But even an LLM is no good be it from UK, US, CANADA or even SINGAPORE. Admission to the bar and practicing law in each country is based upon the graduate degree. So does that mean that I am left with no choice but to practice in my home country?? I mean nowhere abroad? What about CANADA? They have started recognizing Indian LL.B with effect from 2009. Am I eligible for that? If yes, can you tell me what procedure to follow
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