I have already applied to most universities for an LLM programme. However, my recent visits on various sites has shown me that an LPC course is more preferable for the jobs in Solicitor firms in England..!

I wish to qualify for the SRA exams.
I have read that even LLB graduates from England need to take the LPC course to be registered with the SRA.

And i intend to go into Commercial Litigation. So I think any Solicitor firm will consider an LPC degree a great deal than an LLM...?

Any suggestions in this case...?

Hi,

Well, either way, you will need the LPC to practice in England and to be registered with the SRA. So, the question is really whether you want to take an extra year to do the LL.M or not. The point is, to practice in England you will need the LPC- so its not a question of whether the LLM is more preferable or not- since the LL.M won't give you the qualifications to practice in England. Hope this helps. If I was you, I would get my LPC over and done with (since you already have and LL.M and have read the LLB in England) you can always do the second LL.M later on. But then again, with the economic situation at the moment, it might be wise to take two years off (LL.M and LPC) and then get a place at a firm.

Hope this helps

yes it certainly helps...!

but LLM+LPC total years....needs more finance and more years spent without earning much..!

I would stick to LPC..!
But is the LPc requirementt the same as the LLM or does LPC require me to pass LLB from a University in England..!

I will gett my LLB degree in India in July...(this qualifies me to the Bar Council in India)

And is it that I need atleast 60% to go for an LPC...?
I already have unconditional offers from

Kent University
NTU
City

Which of these have an LPC programme?

(Ps. I have an LLB in India...not in england)

Hey,

I'm not sure what the requirements are if you have an LL.B from another country. Instinctively, I would say that you might need a small conversion course? But I'm really not sure. If you're looking to get stuck in the business and start earning some money I would say focus on qualifying as a solicitor in England so just find out if you need a conversion to do the LPC and then do that.

The LL.M won't get you any closer to being able to practice. A person can have an LL.B and an LL.M from oxbridge or anywhere else and they still won't be able to practice in England without the LPC.

Standards to get a place for the LPC are pretty low... so I wouldn't worry about that- just apply soon if you want to do it this year because the first round of applications is over already, but most people get places around this time too so don't worry.

Why don't you give the College of Law or BPP (two big LPC proveiders) a ring? I'm sure they will happily answer your questions- or check them out online.

Good luck!

Providers *

I think what they really want is a certificate of eligibility from SRA for doing the LPC course??
This is irritating...!
the SRA won't give me a certificate until I have qualified as a lawyer in India. And I shall only qualify in July...I can't apply for certificate of eligibility...??

Any suggestions or does anyone anything about the LPC eligibility in BPP or something like that in London ?

LPC is not a good choice....!!
I mean....i have come to realize that LLM is much better...!
SRA requires me to first complete my CPE (conversion course) for One year.....none of the Top colleges in London provide for this course...!

After Completing the CPE...I will be enrolled to the LPC course which is also One more Year....!

Instead I would rather do my LLM and then search for a nice cool job....which ....I am sure looking at my CV...won't be much of a problem...!

Any suggestions...?

by the way...why don't the Top Universities in England provide for an LPC or CPE course...??

or the Top Schools for LPC and CPE are very different than LLM...?
Any clue on this ?

If you are looking to practise as a solicitor in the UK directly after finishing your studies, there is no way round taking the LPC (or Scottish equivalent) and to get on that you need a qualifying law degree, or to pass the CPE. Your alternative is to qualify as a lawyer in your home jurisdiction and then deal with the requirements of the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test.

The CPE (now GDL) was regarded mainly as a vocational course which may be why few universities provide it. Of the universities that provide the GDL, I think many are former polytechnics (City Uni is an exception). If your concern about attending a university is being taught by research active staff, many people working at the new universities are starting to do could research work shows (see e.g. performance of Westminster in last RAE). BPP and College of Law are private providers of vocational training and, as such, not set up for academic research at all.

Yes I have spoken to SRA. I am applying for CPE and then next year LPC...!
But coming to my choices...I prefer an institution which provides me an excellent practical knowledge to work as a solicitor. I am not too worried about researcha and academics...I want to gain all practical knowledge. I am also interested in the training contract.
In this case...can you tell me...which one should be preferred...?
I might choose
BPP Law school, City University, College of Law...!
Any other suggestions ?

Just be sure of what you are going to get yourself into!

It is very very difficult to get a training contract as an overseas... unless you have contacts..!! If you don't!!! good luck as you are going to need it.

You might increase your chances if you go to a good school for an LLM such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham.. and then try to get the training...!!!

I agree with pedrinus. I think it's safer to get an LLM from a good university (even if not in England - maybe the US, Scotland, Canada...) and later on trying to get a training than go straight to the training part without strong contacts...

Well you are right Beicon and Pedrinus...I completely agree with your view...!
However, there is a good news....I will have already completed an LLM in Computer and IPR Laws

So....i think i didn'tt want to go for a second LLM that is why I slowly shifted towards a CPE+LPC...!

any further precautions or suggestions Becion and Pedrinus...especially about my selections...!

Hey guys...Can you suggest about what kind of training contract should I search for?

Effectively, I have 3 years (Full time) work experience as legal Trainee in India.

I have applied for GDL in College of Law, BPP and City. I have already received an unconditional offer from College of Law...?

After that I wish to take on LPC at the same institution.

If I apply right now for Training Contract before starting with my GDL in September 2009....Can someone suggest will I get a training contract or not ???
What kind of firm should I look for...and what kind of salary can I expect in such a bad market.

From my experience, you could even have studied law in 4 different countries... English firms don't care!

They don't need graduates from other countries and they clearly show that.. English graduates with a first class and 2.1's from excellent uni's don't get jobs and they are English! Please don't be over confident because it is extremely dificult to get a training contract in the UK.!!! it can take years ...

For you to be considered above them you need grades in the 70% 80% and it is not a certain thing!

Type of firm? depends on what you want to do...bigger firms...only take Oxbridge and so forth.... Smaller ones seem to like local people...foreigners...bin...

I may sound harsh....but man.. it is the way it is at the moment... not even paralegal is a certainty anymore. Your best bet would be the United States, where I also want to go, where they have fairs for LLM students and a school for everyone.... and of course more opened towards globalization and foreign lawyers!!!!!

I not concerned with anyone funding my GDL or LPC... I am concerned with qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales....so just need a Training Contract thats it. I don't want to prefferred over anyone. I would be fine with a Training contract giving me 15,000GBP to 22,000 GBP...!
any suggestions..? or further clarifications?

The problem is to get one..... good luck...