It’s almost 2 and a half years since I graduated from the LPC. Granted most of the people who were lucky enough to secure a training contract have now qualified or are on the verge of qualifying.

The reason for this post is, I was part of a few girls who hung around together as we were in the same tutorials and got along, or so it seems. One of the girls definitely was against me, probably from day one of talking as she didn’t like me or was just jealous. I don’t know.  Anyways during the LPC we would talk and were ‘friends.’ Since the electives we didn’t speak much as the girls I hung around with were in different groups. This girl really did not like me. Most of the comments were full of general bitchiness. Since leaving the LPC I avoided her like the plague. Every text was left unanswered and soon enough she stopped.

I hadn’t seen her since the LPC. Then I saw her at a restaurant on Sunday. Worst. Feeling. EVER. I was with my cousin and was extremely fake to her. We talked about general work etc and then she went in for the kill ‘oh I’m qualified.’ That BITCH. I bet she was waiting to see me to say that or at least waiting to find someone to make them feel little. I still hate her and unfortunately replied to one text message the day after. I’m waiting to avoid her again

If she was nicer about it, I would have congratulated her or something. I know a lot of people who have done this to others as they like to brag. Is it really necessary?! Would you do that to someone you didn’t particularly like?

I heard from the SRA in relation to the question of whether the LPC expires, and thankfully it doesn’t!

Nice to have an answer, sorta

I know I’m a bit late on this one but here goes.

It has been two years since I graduated from the LPC. It feels like it’s been longer. I am definitely in a better place in relation to getting more experience but my fear is that the LPC will “expire” soon.

I’ve asked many people about the time period you need between the LPC and qualifying before the LPC expires. I have had answers ranging from 5 years to 10 years. I still have no idea when the LPC actually runs out. I am however worried that I have no training contract this year but am gaining experience which will hopefully count towards my career. Can anyone shed any light in relation to this?

I have also been job hunting on the side, usually weekly just to see if I can apply for something better and possibly in London. I currently work with three other students from my LPC who have also struggled to find any legal work. One girl was actually doing her training contract but was made redundant a year later. The job market is still scary. I do not want to be in a position where the LPC I have done is no longer valid. Scary times!

The College of Law’s Legal Services Policy Institute has proposed a somewhat interesting take on qualifying to be a Solicitor.

The proposal states that once a student completes the LPC they are a qualified solicitor. However the only work they will be able to do is ‘unreserved legal activities such as transactional work or employment advice.’ Basically a glorified paralegal role. If a ‘qualified solicitor’ would then want rights of audience then they would have to complete further training at a law firm similar to that of the current training contract.

Although this sounds good on paper, it would then make it much more easier to become a qualified solicitor, yet you wouldn’t quite be a full qualified solicitor, as you would have no rights of audience. The profession would then be not as somewhat special as it is now. Would this mean that any tom, dick and harry would then qualify once they pass the LPC?

Don’t get me wrong as I really wish the process in qualifying as a solicitor was a lot easier but I would rather be a fully qualified solicitor, not just one that can do the paperwork. I mean I do the paperwork now! It would also possibly mean that the older generation will be the one’s attending court as the younger generation wouldn’t have a clue unless they did the further training. But on the other hand so many people like myself could be qualified in an instant!

Another thing is that would this mean the end of paralegals and legal executives? They are somewhat similar roles to the proposed changes.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how far this goes!!

Found here!

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