Hello everyone,
A topic probably discussed many times here, I would still appreciate your views. I'm thinking about applying for a LLM programme at a university in the UK, preferably London. I'm a this year's graduate from the best law school in my home country - Cracow, Poland. What makes me wonder is whether completing the LLM studies e.g in commercial law in the UK can make it possible for a person without a common-law degree to get a job in the legal services sector in the UK, as this has always been a most desired career path, due to many of my visits to UK, knowledge of English, etc.
By a possible job as a lawyer in my case, I obviously mean only working as a legal assistant etc. or, if you want, paralegal, and not as a professional barrister or solicitor.
In your opinion, do I stand a chance for that kind of job with a British law company that would allow me to stay and work in the UK as a lawyer in the future?
Many thanks to you all in advance
Cheers!

Dear Thome,

As the best law student from Krakow I would simply apply to Linklaters, Clifford Chance and all the major London law firms-and ask for them to sponsor you on the CPE and the LPC-that is the Common Professional Examinations and the Legal Practice Course. With your background you should get some real interest. The sponsorship is usually full tuition and maintenance grant for two years-then you enter one of those law firms as a trainee on about £30k. Thereafter you are a fully qualfied City trained Solicitor and you can either go back to Poland and set up the Polish equivalent of Clifford Chance or stay here and become a partner in any English firm.

If you have real problems with law firms let me know. btw City runs the toughest CPE in the country which you may find appropriately challenging!
yours sincerely
ALAN RILEY

Dr. Alan Riley
Director LLM Programme
City Law School
City University, London
Electronic Mail: alan.riley.1@city.ac.uk

Thome,

I think the LLM I'm just going to finish is the best thing I could ever have done, both academically and professionally.
This does not mean that I'm finding an easy path towards a career as a lawyer in UK. Anyway I'm applying for the QLTT, which gives you the possibility to became a solicitor if you're admitted to the Bar in your own jurisdiction.
The only thing I would tell you is not to get too keen about going to London as the expences there are far too high. I sincerely think that the quality of teaching is very good also in other top Universities; so I would aim at Oxbridge and consider a range of other possibilities, ccording to what you want to study.
bye for now