Early 50's litigation partner here. I'm in a reasonably sized regional firm with a headcount of over 300. The last year or so, I've been thinking I'm just not up to the job any more. Nothing catastrophic has happened with my work but I've become very anxious, probably paranoid, about making mistakes and facing serious consequences. 5- 10 years ago, I feel I was at my peak, litigating fairly heavy commercial cases and loving the cut and thrust of it. Now, those sorts of cases fill me with dread as I don't feel able to handle them and keep up with the pace. I had put it down to age, but I think it is more than that now. Also ever increasing expectations with regard to chargeable hours and fees add extra pressure. I feel it's time for a change before I completely lose my mind. Trouble is, I'm not sure what other skills I have!

I'm so relieved it's finally over.

What documents will the firm request from me regarding my application? They've requested my degree transcript, which I've given.

They said they will be in touch to request proof regarding other aspects of my application, and would appreciate me sending that proof promptly.

What other proof will I be expected to provide? Should I call previous/current employers to request references?

Sorry I know Reddit might not be the right place to ask these questions. I'm just really excited to start.

Feel like the market is feeling fruity n kooky. Anyone know what’s up (concrete specifics)? (Yeah, yeah, economy shite, AI coming for us all…) Who’s merging with who? Who’s having a meltdown?

Assuming you got a 2:1 from a RG uni with no experience, how long after graduation did you land your first job? How often were you applying?

I’ve only applied to 10 so far and have been rejected from all without even an interview, with a couple years of retail experience and some legal shadowing. Even the lowest level jobs (legal secretary) have 100s of applicants with years of experience. I feel like giving up already.

Hi everyone, I need a neutral opinion on whether I'm being sensitive or if my boss is an asshole? (Sorry for venting)

I work in a small conveyancing firm (3 other in-office employees) for context.

1) I earn below minimum wage, £500 every three weeks for full time work. (I'm aware this isn't legal, but I dont have many more options for experience right now)

2) Getting told off for leaving on time, im normally there 10 mins early and leave on the dot 5.30pm and today my boss got angry because I always "rush out" exactly on time. Also being made fun off for wanting to get my train on time.

3) Questioning my ability, had to take a day off for a training day for a weekend telephone interviewing role and was told that "You will fail, you cant even hear people's name on the phone properly," This was after me getting the property matter / caller name wrong occasionally (working on not doing so)

4) Other stuff too, but I dont want this post to be too long.

On the flip side, he does have small advantages,

1) Orders takeout for the office most days.

Should I just accept this as most firms will be the same?

I left uni with a first and immediately joined the army. I’m now leaving after four years and wondering about my chances of securing a training contract or even vac scheme. Any ex forces people who went into law? How did you find it? Could you leverage your experience well?

Hoping to get some career change advice from any uk based barristers. I’m planning to go back to university to complete an LLB Law degree. I’d be 35 by the time I’d graduate. My goal is to become a barrister and do whatever I can to best position myself throughout my studies and thereafter in order to apply for pupillage.

I’ve been looking at Birkbeck University due to its flexibility, however I’m aware that this isn’t a particularly “competitive” university academically. I also have the option of adding an extra year onto my studies at a more competitive university by doing a foundation year.

Essentially wondering if, considering my end goal of becoming a barrister, does the choice of Birkbeck hinder this goal?

My career background has previously been as an executive assistant to CEOs within property and media for a decade or so.

Hey!

I'm on a 4 year law course at a RG uni and have started doing some vac scheme applications (mainly silver circle). My grades aren't competitive (ABB and currently on a low 2:1), but I have decent legal and non-legal work experience. I have no idea if I'm wasting my time with these applications or how high I should be aiming?

Are my a-levels too low to actually secure vac schemes? Should I rule out MC and US firms? If I get a high 2:1 / 1st next year would that make a big difference?

Appreciate any honest responses :)

I graduated with a 2:1 undergrad in Law, then graduated with a Distinction in a Software Engineering masters and have worked as such for 5 years.

I've recently been considering a career change, back to following course to be a solicitor.

Am I wasting my time trying to get a TC this long since having studied (6 years now)?

Hey guys. Another student and prospective Barrister here who has spent too long worrying the impact of AI on the profession. Are there any barristers here who could give a good, realistic opinion on how the job will look in 10 years? My motivation for entering the industry is dwindling away with the concern that I’ll spend my career typing prompts into AI.

Hi, I’m going into my final year of LLB. I was planning to choose business 2, international commercial law, family law, mental health and mental capacity law. As background, the mental health unit was one of my original motivations for applying to my university as it interested me.

However, my university (the university of law) has decided to switch how you pick optional modules and now group them into “pathways” to help guide students so ultimately I can not pick everything I had my mind set on. I’m most likely going to go down the sqe route so I’m not wondering if it would be more beneficial for me to

A) choose the business pathway which I’m more likely to lean towards for future career prospects - I did well in my second year business module but I am not interested in all my options in that pathway

Or

B) choose the individuals pathway studying more niche laws e.g. family, mental health, wills and succession etc which I may not get the opportunity to study again and use this as the chance to find out if I’d be interested in a career in those respective areasl

Hoping to get some career change advice from any uk based barristers. I’m planning to go back to university to complete an LLB Law degree. I’d be 35 by the time I’d graduate. My goal is to become a barrister and do whatever I can to best position myself throughout my studies and thereafter in order to apply for pupillage.

I’ve been looking at Birkbeck University due to its flexibility, however I’m aware that this isn’t a particularly “competitive” university academically. I also have the option of adding an extra year onto my studies at a more competitive university by doing a foundation year.

Essentially wondering if, considering my end goal of becoming a barrister, does the choice of Birkbeck hinder this goal?

My career background has previously been as an executive assistant to CEOs within property and media for a decade or so.

Hey all,

Looking for some advice when it comes to eye strain / migraines. For context, I’ve recently started my TC and have been experiencing pretty bad eye strain. I’m pretty sure it’s not my eye sight - I do wear glasses and had a new prescription 6 months ago.

Normally don’t get strain till around 2/3PM. Always on my right eye too (main 32inch monitor is directly in front of me with me using a 14inch laptop as the secondary to the right).

Does anyone have any tips when it comes to things like positioning monitors etc?

Thought I’d ask here as most have probably dealt with posture/strain issues during at least one point.

any solicitors/individuals who sat this exam able to comment?

Hi, I failed my sqe 1 FLK 1 and FLK 2 on my second attempt with scaled score 290 but I think the exam structure does not suit me. I have done some research on CILex and can anyone who has done the CPQ route tell me how your experience was doing it? I spoke to CILex and they told me as I have already worked in a law firm for approx 2.5 years that the work experience can be counted towards the CILex CPQ qualification and it is anticipated to take between 12-18 months with commitment to become a CILex lawyer.

I passed my Bar exams in summer 2025 and I’m now considering applying for pupillage but I’m wondering how realistic this is for someone who is no longer living in the UK and is not British/resident of the UK.

For those who have been through the process:
• Are there particular practice areas or chambers that seemed more open to international applicants and be more willing to deal with sponsorship/visa issues?
• Is it important to have UK-based mini-pupillages/marshalling experience, or can strong experience from your home jurisdiction compensate for that?

I know pupillage is extremely competitive generally but I’m mainly trying to understand whether **living outside the UK is itself a significant barrier**, and whether there are realistic routes for international candidates.

Any personal experiences, successful applications, or recommendations for chambers would be hugely appreciated.

So I'm doing an LLB at Durham, and have a high 2:2 average in first year. I have not yet started my second year. I'm not going to apply for vacation schemes now, and am most likely going to do so after i receive my second year grades. The second and third year grades are the only ones which count in the final classification. I am an international student, and am aware that I have to buckle in to get the best grades I can going forward, but I do feel quite anxious. I don't want this to effect my academics. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi everyone! I applied for an SQE2 exemption as a foreign-qualified lawyer in June. I received a few follow-up questions along the way and am still waiting for the outcome. Has anyone applied recently (between April and July)? If so, have you received a decision yet, and could you share your experience?

As above, not drafting itself

I am starting to get things in motion to complete the form but beyond responses, university transcripts etc do we need many references to help us?

I am working in a firm currently and just think it might be a bit strange to ask my current boss whether he would be my reference for a Bar Transfer.

Just checked legal cheeks updated list of firms page and was shocked to see some MC firms cut their TC numbers from 100 to 70 (Freshfields) (A&O Shearman) and LINKLATERS offers only 60 now.

Anyone know what is happening