Hi guys! I'm Naz and I have recently applied for an LLM at various schools throughout the UK and am hopefully going to Queen Mary this September. My first degree is a Bsc in Banking and Finance and my LLM will specialise in Banking and Finance Law. My question is this: After the LLM, would it be possible for me to sit the LPC or the bar or even receive some training in a legal firm, bearing in mind that I have not got a legal first degree? Appreciate your quick response.

Oh and if anyone is going to Queen Mary this year, drop me a line :)

hmm... first, let me say i am not entirely sure about this

i have a law degree and a uk LLM... but when i talked to these people at a law fair, they told me that i would have to do "some parts of" the LPC or BVC before i can start traineeship or pupillage in uk... (i have an equivalent of LPC/BVC from another jurisdiction and so that's why they said i need to "top up" my LPC/BVC)...

i guess the same would apply to you? or do u need an extra CPE?

First of all, thanks sns for your response. It takes ages for anyone to reply usually!

I'm guessing I'll need the CPE as well... not 100% sure. I'm only asking because I'd like to keep my options open. I live in Bahrain and I can always come back here and work in the legal department of some financial institution especially with the Bahrain Financial Harbour opening up and all those new firms coming in (Bahrain is considered the "financial centre" of the Middle East... Almost like an Arabian Cayman Islands). However, I might want to actually try practising law in the UK and obviously there is a long, rigorous procedure. I guess I can always do the CPE after the LLM (provided the money is there.. another issue :/)

nreda83 - where did you do your BSc in Banking and Finance?

Hi marin. I did it in the University of Bahrain.

I hold law degree of the University of Latvia. Though I have rather significant work experience, I would still need to do the CPE (one year) and LPC (one year) to start training contract. If to go this way I would start doing training contract in fall 2009, which seems quite a while, but on the other hand - CPE and LPC fees are paid by the law firm and usually they give you money for maintenance expenses around GBP 6000.

I have already applied to various law firms for a training contract. I just want to be on the safe side, i.e. when I start my LLM to know whether I will stay in London and will have a job there waiting for me or I will come back home. I should get replies from those firms starting July but no later than September.

The only thing that's holding me back is being a student for another three years in a row. I am afraid that after having had a rather high position at home and having used to great responsibility, making decisions, managing documentation and supervising work of those to whom I am superior, it will be hard to start everything from the bottom again. But who knows, maybe I'll choose to go that way and actually enjoy it! :)