Hello, I'm hoping to apply for the London LLMs and possibly Edinburgh distance learning for 2010(would love to apply for Oxford BCL but would not give myself a snowball's chance). I have a 1st from a well ranked UK university, from 2000. My problem is that since university, my CV is probably not the most impressive. I spent about 3 years after uni travelling, volunteering and generally being a bit uncommitted and unambitious. After that, I finished qualifying, practised in criminal law for about 2 years, and am now not practising as a lawyer, but doing related family & social work law job. Although I will present it as best I can, and will be able to get good employer references, I would appreciate any views on whether I stand a chance of getting onto a really good programme, or whether my patchy cv will make me look too flaky?

I think you should try oxford. In my experience, UK unis don't really care about CVs just grades. Maybe Oxford might care a little since they get so many good applications, but I honestly think the difference work experience makes is slight at best.

With a first, you really don't have a problem with the London LLMs. Plenty of ppl get into the London Unis with zero work experience and only high 2nd uppers. And at the very least I tihnk some work experience - no matter how impressive or unimpressive - is better than zip so I tihnk you're good :)

I agree about Oxford. A First class degree or good Upper Second class from a decent UK uni (ie. a top 20/red brick) should get you entry into any UK LLM programme. The exceptions are Oxbridge and LSE because they are very popular (but generally if you have a First you should get in).

I very much doubt they'll be too concerned about your CV, nor that they'll really read it. Also bear in mind, you are qualified, which puts you ahead of many other students.

Also if you intend to stay in family law or criminal law, there will be less competition amongst these areas compared with commercial or international law.

Thanks very much for the opinions- think I will apply everywhere and see who will have me! Nice to know that it might be that bit less competitive for the areas I'm interested in, hadn't considered that.