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Beyond the Middle Ages:

Beyond the Middle Ages:. Moving from Medieval Studies to Law. “We Choose to be Medievalists not because it is easy…”. Fact:.

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Beyond the Middle Ages:

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  1. Beyond the Middle Ages: Moving from Medieval Studies to Law

  2. “We Choose to be Medievalists not because it is easy…”

  3. Fact: • If you are currently pursuing a postgraduate course of study you have already demonstrated that you have all the necessary skills for a successful career practising Law – if you want it badly enough. • The problem is employers can be unaware of the breadth of skills post graduate work equips you with

  4. And yes, the Latin does help – a bit • In fact as a Medievalist you may be uniquely equipped to appreciate some of the more subtle aspects of the legal system unappreciated even by some experienced lawyers…

  5. honi soit qui mal y pense • Bringing Anglo-Norman subjunctives to a court wall near you since 1066 (or thereabouts)

  6. Beyond the technical and historical: An MA or Ph.D in Medieval Studies demonstrates that aside from core intellectual skills expected of graduates you have: • Tenacity • Focus • Determination

  7. Because if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have made it this far. • And these are the key attributes essential to getting a legal career off the ground.

  8. Trust me. Not him.

  9. Getting Started in Law How does one go from Chaucer to Chancery division? First of all the following problems need to be addressed: • Funding (as usual) • Burn Out (if you’ve just finished a Ph.D you might fancy a rest) • Fed up with studying generally?

  10. Some advice • Don’t get involved unless you are up for a serious new challenge. • If any of the previous factors are a problem make sure you are satisfied you can handle a further tough couple of years. • In my case, after submitting I worked for a couple of years for Customs and Excise, following in some illustrious footsteps…

  11. “On his way back to ye office, Geoffrey didst ponder ye VAT gappe full verily”

  12. The reason being to pay for: • The Law Society Common Professional Examination (CPE) • Also known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

  13. CPE • This is a one year course for graduates of other disciplines and carries the same weight as a standard law degree (LLB) • The Law Society allows certain institutions to offer this course. Credited institutions include Nottingham Trent, Northumbria and the College of Law with campuses in York and Guildford inter alia.

  14. CPE Institutions • A full list of providers can be found at: http://www.get.hobsons.co.uk/advice/law-conversion-course-providers

  15. CPE duration • The CPE permits entry to the vocational stage of professional training. • The Courses begin mid-September and the examination period ends in early June. • As it lasts in effect only nine months it is an extremely intensive course.

  16. The Bad News: • Intensive and expensive (fees around £9k)

  17. CPE contents • Most CPE courses cover the 7 main areas of Law and include an overview of the England and Wales legal system. • A research module is usually included as a further area of legal study (around 3000 words)

  18. 7 Areas of Law These are: • The Law of Contract • The Law of the European Union • Crime • Land Law • Equity and Trusts • Public and Administrative Law • The Law of Tort (Civil Wrongs)

  19. Vocational Training • Make it through the CPE exams and the next stage depends on whether you wish to be a solicitor or a barrister. • Prospective Solicitors study the LPC (Legal Practice Course) • Prospective Barristers choose the BVC (Bar Vocational Qualification)

  20. LPC • The LPC contains a mix of compulsory and elective elements. The compulsory element consists of: • Business Law and Practice • Criminal and Civil Litigation • Property Law and Practice(Conveyancing)

  21. Elective Elements • These differ substantially depending on the institution attended. • With a view to joining a high street practice I studied Mental Health Law, Employment Law and Childcare and Adoption Law

  22. The BVC • The BVC contains many of the elements of the LPC but devotes a lot more time to developing advocacy skills and legal research. • It is also substantially more expensive (fees circa £11k) • The Bar is massively competitive. Out of a class of 70 perhaps 4-5 students will get a pupillage and 3-4 will eventually become tenants at chambers

  23. After the LPC • The next stage is to get a training contract with a firm of solicitors. This involves a further two years of study • This is the bottleneck stage. Every firm will receive many more applications than training positions. • BUT THIS IS ALSO WHERE YOU WILL STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.

  24. Some tips for Post Grads: • If you are genuinely interested do plenty or research and find out all you can about potential course providers.

  25. Tips Continued… • If you have a good degree or degrees you already have what it takes. Research some firms you may be interested in and write off. Many larger firms sponsor their trainees through the CPE/LPC • this solves the most serious problems faced by many students straight away. • Nobody getting these awards will be more qualified then you – the trick is to apply early. Big firms recruit two years in advance. • Get some legal work experience. Realistically training contracts are never awarded without some illustration of commitment

  26. Good luck and I hope this has been of some assistance. • If you have any questions please feel free to email me • evincentmoss@hotmail.com

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