I am an Irish Trainee Solicitor and I intend to move to the UK in the last six months of my training as part of training contract with a view to eventually practsing in the UK. Can anybody please advise how I could best spend my next few months preparing for applying to London Firms? Would I have a better chance with an LLM or a New York Bar Qualification.I need something to give my CV an extra edge but I'm not sure what course or what route to take and I'm reluctant to waste money at this stage in my training.

It's hard to say, which I suppose is the reason you have not received any responses to your question. I think, obviously, both will help you. I did not hear of many students on the LL.M. last year who were very successful finding a position in a London law firm, unfortunately. Many were not common law graduates, however, and I, having passed the New York bar, did not attempt to apply for positions in the U.K. Therefore, you may discount my opinion accordingly.

You will have to make the determination for yourself of which option makes sense for your CV. If you intend to practice in the U.S., or if you are contemplating attempting that at some point, then perhaps taking the New York bar should be the first thing you do, as it may make sense later on to apply to LL.M. programmes in the U.S. as a way to bridge to U.S. law firms. Having said that, you should know that the success rates for LL.M. programmes are much higher than the success rate for non-U.S. law graduates taking the New York bar. I think the pass rate is 70% for U.S. graduates and about 35-45% for non-U.S. graduates. It's just something to think about.