tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81708758513155159732024-03-08T02:48:30.534-08:00Law Blog - You Me and a Law DegreeLaw Blog - You Me and a Law degree combines my experience of studying law as a degree, with my thoughts and any advice I can offer.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-86961570677523748592013-12-01T06:14:00.001-08:002013-12-01T10:19:29.036-08:00Vacation Scheme Applications<div dir="ltr">
I am currently in the process of filling out my vacation scheme applications, and I have found it far more challenging than I first thought I would. On the face of it, writing about yourself and your experiences seems pretty straightforward. However, when I got around to it, having to consider what I gained from my experiences and activities was not so simple. It's not something people tend to think about on a day to day basis (or at least I don't). <br />
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Throughout my time at school I have always been told what to learn. Both in exams, and in my applications to universities, there has always been a sense of having to "jump through hoops" and display what the exam boards and universities want. The experience of having to actually analyse my life and consider what I have learnt from it seems, to me, to be a relatively new one. Although, I guess, there are always templates and recommendations for how job and internship applications should be filled out, to me they seem to require a far more personal touch. <br />
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Filling out the applications has been interesting, as I feel the it has taught me a lot. It has taught me to look at the events around me and develop my own opinion on them, as well as allowing me to look more deeply at how my life, and the experiences I have gained in it, have shaped who I am today. </div>
Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-23480463467516712862013-07-20T10:05:00.002-07:002013-07-20T10:07:32.698-07:00Dedication and my writing styleI have been struggling for a while now to find the motivation to dedicate more time to this blog. Despite having things to say about cases or articles I've read, I never seem to find the time to write my thoughts down. In part, I feel in doing this, my writing style has suffered. I have always been in awe of my friends for their ability to construct eloquent sentences, and for the vocabulary they use. I may be wrong, but I believe now that this is simply because they write more than me. They have had more practice.<br />
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I have decided that if I cannot motivate myself simply to write down my thought, I should use my wish to improve my writing style as the motivation I so desperately need.<br />
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Any advise from others on how I can improve writing style would be greatly appreciated.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-5678055691507739692013-07-17T08:08:00.001-07:002013-07-17T08:21:38.010-07:00Work Placement Attire <p dir="ltr">From the student who is a work experience first timer, to the more experienced student,  what to wear when you are going for a placement at a law firm can be confusing. Following the likes of Harvey Spector in the TV show Suits, we would think nothing less than a suit and wide tie would suffice. However, is the true to reality? </p>
<p dir="ltr">From my experience, though limited, there is no harm in dressing smart casual. Many work places will accept a shirt and smart trousers, without a jacket or tie. Granted if you are attending something more formal, like a meeting, smarter attire will be expected. A similar principle applies to women. A simple smart skirt and shirt or plain dress (nothing too fancy) is fine. The main thing to remember is that you must look presentable enough to leave a lasting positive impression.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">That said, it can be a good idea to take the "better to be overdressed, than underdressed" approach. You will soon gage on your first day what the office expects. Furthermore, it might be wise to send an email prior to your arrival, asking what the dress code for an intern is. It may differ from that of a full time employee. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I personally tend to wear a suit and tie. I have often been told at placements it's not necessary,  but it is simply my preference. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I am not necessarily correct,  these are just my views. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Please share your ideas in the comments bellow</p>
Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-17769927387501882992013-04-10T09:31:00.000-07:002013-04-10T09:31:14.405-07:00Work AttireI am intending to write and article soon regarding suitable attire when working at a law firm, or corporation for that matter. I have no expertise in the field, but as I hope one day to be an intern, I thought it was worth considering. Anyone's input would be great!Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-86262224030823216152013-03-31T14:18:00.002-07:002013-03-31T14:25:58.939-07:00I'm BackAfter a long break I have decided to start blogging again. This could be in an act of procrastination, as I'm supposed to be writing an essay on the case of Sienkiewicz v Grief, or the fact I actually feel I have something to contribute now that I am studying law.<br />
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My essay is supposed to be on the tests of causation in cases such as those involving mesothelioma and how these were impacted by Sienkiewicz v Grief. I then have to go on to explore whether the the rule developed in Sienkiewicz v Grief should be applied to the tort of negligence as a whole. Not quite sure where to start with this question, however, I have an introduction written.<br />
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I promise future posts will be less about myself and slightly more interesting.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-42813199223588436072011-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:002011-10-06T11:06:42.266-07:00Supermarket Law<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">New legistlation allows supermarkets and banks to offer consumer legal advice, having been restricted by legislation and regulation previously. The Government says the new Legal Services Act will increase economic growth in the sector and further promote <u></u><u></u>Britain<u></u><u></u>as a first-class legal services market, believing it will also offer wider choice and better value to the public. Under the new trading bodies, known as <span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Alternative Business Structures (ABS), lawyers will be able to work in mixed-practices offering financial, legal and other advice, or be based at different kinds of businesses,</span> the </span>first of which will be <span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">covering services such as property law and probate</span>.</span><u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Bar Standards Board says that these changes could also see barristers, who have traditionally been self-employed, take up single roles in businesses or eventually form partnerships themselves.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">However, the Act, having been dubbed by critics as “Tesco Law”, it is feared will undermine the quality and independence of advice.</span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Despite the name, Tesco has said it has "no current plans to offer legal services"</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">, whereas the Co-Operative has been one of the first to show interest in offering such legal services.</span></span></div>Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-51304847511910549212011-09-11T04:07:00.000-07:002011-09-11T04:39:49.085-07:00Internship with Sidley AustinFrom <a href="http://l2b.thelawyer.com/internship-up-for-grabs-for-city-law-school-students/1009104.article">Lawyer2B</a>:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="standfirst" style="font-size: 1.167em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 10px;"><div style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Aspiring lawyers at the City Law School are being invited to compete for an internship with Sidley Austin.</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><div style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px;">Director of the LLM programme professor Alan Riley said: “This internship gives the winning student the opportunity to blend the knowledge that he or she develops on our courses with first-rate practical experience at one of the world’s top law firms.”</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><div style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px;">The firm is offering a bursary of £5,000 for the placement, which will take place in Sidley’s Brussels office.</div><div style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px;">To apply students will need to submit an essay from their course and those who achieved top grades will be invited for an interview. </div></span></blockquote>This may be of interest to any Law graduates looking to find paid work experience and have a particular interest in working abroad.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-64098408833353345722011-08-18T10:22:00.001-07:002011-08-18T10:22:06.888-07:00A Level Results DayHow did everyone do?Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-69717483744301539642011-08-15T09:52:00.000-07:002011-08-15T09:52:54.798-07:00Court: Now Open SundaysThe London Courts have, for the first time, opened on a Sunday to deal with the people accused of involvement in the riots last week. Britain's Police Chief also called for around-the-clock Courts to deal with the large number of people accused.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-35572201849764251792011-08-03T09:10:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:11:22.249-07:00Your Experience with Work ExperienceSorry I haven't posted in a while.<br />
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I am aware that data input and photocopying is a favourite job to give to Work Experience students as they tend not to be trained in the field of Law. So I was wondering if anyone has had any Work Experience that was incredible and which they will never forget?<br />
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Many Thanks,<br />
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MaxMaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-19662713978330729662011-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:002011-07-24T11:06:04.738-07:00My Experience with Work Experience<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Today was the last day of my work experience at a London City Law Firm. I found it greatly beneficial and thought I might take the opportunity to share my thoughts on the importance of work experience in law. It can be both beneficial for your university application, as well as, giving you an insight into the work of lawyers and barristers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">First I’ll cover the benefit of having an example of work experience in a law-related environment on your university application. When applying to university, the Admissions Tutor will be looking to see evidence of your enthusiasm and love for the subject. Work Experience is one example of many you can provide to illustrate your interest in Law. It will also show the Admissions Tutor you have initiative and many placements, such as those abroad, will illustrate your independence and maturity. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Nevertheless, one must not forget that the experience in itself can be very rewarding. If Law is something in which you are greatly interested, you will learn how the British legal system works. It can also open many doors for you in the future as it will allow you to make contacts, who may be able to help you find a training contract after university.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">I hope this has been of interest and whether your aim is to use work experience to enhance your personal statement, or gain an insight into whether it is a subject that interests you, it is still invaluable.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Max</div>Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-50973056500490320472011-07-17T14:42:00.000-07:002011-07-17T14:42:54.017-07:00Off Topic: The Apprentice FinalI was rather surprised at first when Lord Sugar announced Tom as his chosen future business partner. However, after giving it more thought it made more sense. Tom had the ideas which, with Lord Sugar's business knowledge, could be brought to life. He showed more potential than the others and in my opinion was the right choice.<br />
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What are your views on Lord Sugar's choice?<br />
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MaxMaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-79043850899326651262011-07-16T05:16:00.000-07:002011-07-16T05:16:07.797-07:00Apprentice LawyerI recently read in a copy of Lawyer2B an article on the future of the Law degree. It was a topic that I had been thinking about for a while and one that I find very interesting. With the increase of tuition fees and high graduate unemployment, many A Level students are considering not going to university for the fear of a lingering debt they will never be able to pay off. This could damage the legal sector, as many potential solicitors may choose a more economically secure training route such as an apprenticeship. What I have been wondering (and was also addressed in the article) is whether an apprenticeship in Law is a viable alternative to a Law degree?<br />
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I would be Interested to hear your views please.<br />
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Many thanks,<br />
MaxMaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170875851315515973.post-68373452739850654502011-07-14T07:15:00.000-07:002011-07-14T07:15:10.430-07:00Work Experience London (WEL)A few weeks ago I created a group on LinkedIn and a twitter account under the name Work Experience London (WEL), linked under connect on the right hand side of my blog. Its aim was to try and bridge the gap between work experience providers and students (A-Level student in particular). I realised recently during my search for work experience in a legal environment, that it is incredibly hard to find and often hard to know where to start. I created WEL to try and help students find placements, especially in a legal career, and hope that it will soon help A-Level student throughout London and late the UK find invaluable work placement opportunities.<br />
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Please dont hesitate to comment if you would like to get involved.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976048433037435119noreply@blogger.com0