Are there any canadian students looking to attain an LLB degree from LSE, SOAS or Uni of Birmingham in 2009?
I have an offer from 2 year senior status program at birmingham and three year LLB at SOAS, i am also thinkng of sending in my application for LSE (although it might be too late)
any one going?
how would you evaluate your job prospects in the UK legal market after graduating?

Hi Sophie,

I am a Canadian who did my LL.B abroad in the U.K. I am graduating this year and am hoping to complete an LL.M next year, possibly at Osgoode.

I went to one of the above mentioned schools. There are many Canadian students pursuing law degrees at all of them.

In terms of job prospects in the UK I would say that it is more difficult but not impossible to secure a training contract. I was able to complete an internship in a top London firm, which was a great experience, however, after my experiences here I am keen to return to North America.

I know that alot of my friends had difficulties in securing internships or TC's, but in general, even for the British students it is very competitive. Only a handful of students receive TC in the top firms. Currently, due to the economic crisis, many of the London firms are asking for their would be trainee solicitors to defer the start of their TC's. Many of the firms are also no longer intervewing for training contracts for 2010, nor 2011. Thus, I suspect that there will be a WHOLE lot of UK students graduating without jobs in the next few years.

Unfortunatly, I feel that there is some 'unrecognised' bias in the hiring of international students in the big firms. Although they all claim to have 'diversity policies', I always seem to meet the same time of 'clones' each time there are networking events held by the firms. When times are tough as well, I'm sure they would perfer to hire their own, then students from abroad.

This is just my take on things.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best of Luck.