Qualifying as a lawyer in the UK Forum

[sang_dieu]

Hi all,

There's been chatter going around my law school that one can take the UK's QLTS (Qualified Lawyers' Transfer Scheme) after passing the Bar and so be qualified in the US and the UK. I've been toying with doing that to add some extra polish on my CV to stand out in the cutthroat legal job market.

What do you think? Would any of you consider qualifying in the UK? Under what circumstances?

Thank you!!

[Anonymous User]

I don't think this would materially help you, because if you go to London, you'll either go to practice US law for foreign clients trying to comply with US securities laws or enter US markets (cap markets) or foreign companies doing M&A in the U.S. If you want to go to the UK and practice English law, you'd need to do a trainee year, I believe. You can find more info on how to qualify and find out more about the UK legal scene at rollonfriday, which is a UK website mashup akin to ATL and a job board.

The test is quite expensive, is only offered a few times per year, and you'd have to pay for a training course first. You'd be better off just rocking out in law school and getting a London job than trying to do that and thinking it'd really distinguish you that much.

[sang_dieu]

I don't think this would materially help you, because if you go to London, you'll either go to practice US law for foreign clients trying to comply with US securities laws or enter US markets (cap markets) or foreign companies doing M&A in the U.S. If you want to go to the UK and practice English law, you'd need to do a trainee year, I believe. You can find more info on how to qualify and find out more about the UK legal scene at rollonfriday, which is a UK website mashup akin to ATL and a job board.

The test is quite expensive, is only offered a few times per year, and you'd have to pay for a training course first. You'd be better off just rocking out in law school and getting a London job than trying to do that and thinking it'd really distinguish you that much.

Thank you for your reply.

To correct a point "If you want to go to the UK and practice English law you'd need to do a trainee year". Not true. Successful completion of the QLTS (the test I'm referring to) means you're qualified in England straightaway. I wonder if that might be used to some effect...

[dixiecupdrinking]

I don't see how this would help you.