FE1 Exam Thread (Mod Warning: NO ADS)

Ab roller plus

On this point, forget about whether it is feasible or not, does anyone think that work placement and practical work should be included in a law degree instead of just rote learning? This idea will probably be shot down as quickly as my open book idea!! [/quote]

I totally agree with the idea of work placement and practical work on the law degree course. I've been plugging the idea for a long time. If it wasnt for my own curiosity I would have seen a statement of claim until I started on PPC1!!!:eek:

Thirdfox

I did a work placement as part of my studies in the US and it was immensely helpful (not to mention looks great on the CV back in Ireland - though that's only because the Irish universities don't offer this).

In fact, I feel the work placement "course" is a much better way of introducing students to "real life law" than the books/academic stuff. If we are training people to be lawyers then we really should show them what the (some) lawyer's lifes are like...

Goober2810

Im a leaving cert student i was looking for the view of some law students and some people working now as solicitors, barristers, etc.

Are you happy with your career choice? would you make the same choice again? do you feel its a worthwhile profession?

what are the working hours like? do you feel your making a valuable contribution to society? is it very difficult to get a job in the current economic climate?

what was your training like how long did it take you to become fully qualified in your respective field as in starting a decently paying job? is it boring or constantly challenging?

id like your opinions and personal thoughts its very hard to get an accurate view of a profession by guidance teachers prospectuses etc. cheers

32minutes

legallad wrote: »

On this point, forget about whether it is feasible or not, does anyone think that work placement and practical work should be included in a law degree instead of just rote learning? This idea will probably be shot down as quickly as my open book idea!!

holy god i couldnt agree with you more there, to have spent 4 years in college and now nearly another year studying for fe1s and still not to have had a single minutes experience in actually doing the job is such a farce.
I know it would be difficult for courses to organize these things but difficulty is not a valid excuse, even a couple of weeks of actually working with law would be worth months of sitting in a lecturehall or in front of a book.

i know theres internships and local offices that might have given some people a spot of work but for the vast majority of people the first day of their traineeship will be the first time theyll be asked to do anything with all this "knoowledge" that we've supposedly being storing up

Ab roller plus

Goober2810 wrote: »

Im a leaving cert student i was looking for the view of some law students and some people working now as solicitors, barristers, etc.

Are you happy with your career choice? would you make the same choice again? do you feel its a worthwhile profession?

what are the working hours like? do you feel your making a valuable contribution to society? is it very difficult to get a job in the current economic climate?

what was your training like how long did it take you to become fully qualified in your respective field as in starting a decently paying job? is it boring or constantly challenging?

id like your opinions and personal thoughts its very hard to get an accurate view of a profession by guidance teachers prospectuses etc. cheers

Right now its the worst time in the history of the professional to qualify, but, if you get your priorities right it is a great career and its only as challenging as you make it.

You dont have to do a law degree but its a definite advantage. I would encourage you to do law with business, law with french or commerce. Avoid Law on its own. If you do get into law, you should definitely do a year in US, Oz , Canada or somewhere in Europe.

Pick something else you are interested in and pursue this with your legal career like languages, IT, business, tax, accountancy something that will set you apart from everone else and something to fall back on if things dont go according to plan.

Pick an area to specialise in and stick with it. Do a masters in that area if you can afford it. Get involved with NGO's, charities, clubs, lobby groups and a political party now. You'll eventually end up President...promise.

If you really want to make a difference in society be a bin man!:P

legal eagle 1

You dont have to do a law degree but its a definite advantage. I would encourage you to do law with business, law with french or commerce.

+1
If you do Law and Commerce, than you have the advantage of also pursuing the accountancy route, plus the big corporate firms will like you more! Keep all options open thats all i say :rolleyes:

Thirdfox

Any particular reason for saying "avoid law on its own"? I study "pure" law and find that it is just as interesting, and as useful as say, law and french/german (which many of my friends study). Of course it all depends on what you do with your time. But "pure" law students are at no significant disadvantage as compared to BnL or Law and Politics students etc when it comes to finding jobs (from my experience anyway).

Ab roller plus

Thirdfox wrote: »

Any particular reason for saying "avoid law on its own"? I study "pure" law and find that it is just as interesting, and as useful as say, law and french/german (which many of my friends study). Of course it all depends on what you do with your time. But "pure" law students are at no significant disadvantage as compared to BnL or Law and Politics students etc when it comes to finding jobs (from my experience anyway).

Avoid was a bit strong, maybe I should of said do pure law only before Arts! (JOKE)

I have BCL after my name but I'm afraid I could have completed that three year course in one year or as a one year post grad in DIT which is actually classed as a degree. Not only that but you have to do it all again for FE1's. By god was I sick of the basic principles of offer, acceptance, duty of care, mens rea etc by the end of the FE1's. I think I would of enjoyed a few sums for a change while doing the BCL!

fe1dublin

Ab roller plus wrote: »

Avoid was a bit strong, maybe I should of said do pure law only before Arts! (JOKE)

I have BCL after my name but I'm afraid I could have completed that three year course in one year or as a one year post grad in DIT which is actually classed as a degree. Not only that but you have to do it all again for FE1's. By god was I sick of the basic principles of offer, acceptance, duty of care, mens rea etc by the end of the FE1's. I think I would of enjoyed a few sums for a change while doing the BCL!

Is the Postgraduate course in DIT classed as a degree? By whom?

Ab roller plus

fe1dublin wrote: »

Is the Postgraduate course in DIT classed as a degree? By whom?

National University of Ireland I guess. My cousin did it a few years back and that what he told me.

colonel1

DIT confers its own degrees. There are two part time degrees you can do at night: [a] BA (ord) in Law and BA (hons) in Law. The first one deals exclusively with the core FE1 subjects, while the other one , which just started up last year, deals with subjects like family and employment law. Click on the link for details.

http://www.dit.ie/socialscienceslaw/law/

Finally, there is a full time postgraduate diploma in law, which is a year long conversion course for non law graduates aiming to sit FE1s.

fe1dublin wrote: »

Is the Postgraduate course in DIT classed as a degree? By whom?

I am finishing the BA (ord), which was the only degree on offer at the time I started. It is tough enough to do with full time work, but it does prepare you for the FE1s. Though I am doing the grinds in Independent college also.

Hope that helps:)

mandz

Just wondering, I think the question I'm thinking of was question 1. It was regarding the S.4 rape of a girl in a garage. Just wondering, did anyone else think that the guy (can't remember their names and haven't the paper to hand) may be liable to burglary for entering into the garage as a trespasser where the offence was committed?

kd28

Does anyone know anything about qualifying the UK, been through teh system or anything like that ?

Have worked for a firm for three years with the promise of a traineeship, doing the work of a solicitor let alone a trainee already, really really enjoy it, work hard and have a young daughter aswell, have just finished FE1's , last two and should get them I think, however I fear I am going to get the old "times are tough" routine when the time comes,

obviously I am restricted family wise and could only apply to another country firm in limited geographical areas for a traineeship and honestly dont welcome the propspect , from my husbands point of view England is a very attractive option workwise,

anyone been through the system of qualifying there , I would like to continue my plight whil ethere if I could,

Dante09

kd28 wrote: »

Does anyone know anything about qualifying the UK, been through teh system or anything like that ?

Have worked for a firm for three years with the promise of a traineeship, doing the work of a solicitor let alone a trainee already, really really enjoy it, work hard and have a young daughter aswell, have just finished FE1's , last two and should get them I think, however I fear I am going to get the old "times are tough" routine when the time comes,

obviously I am restricted family wise and could only apply to another country firm in limited geographical areas for a traineeship and honestly dont welcome the propspect , from my husbands point of view England is a very attractive option workwise,

anyone been through the system of qualifying there , I would like to continue my plight whil ethere if I could,

Heya, my limited knowledge of the UK system is as follows:

1) If you dont have a law degree, you need to do the General Diploma in Law, which is a one year full - time course available in many institutions.
2) If you have an irish law degree, without certain subjects such as English Land Law and Admin law, you have to do the english GDL (i think there may be examptions for this though......and i dont think you'll have to do the GDL full course, just do the required subjects part - time)
3) Then, everyone has to do the LPC (legal practice course)-their equivalent of PPC1 and PPC2---its full time and is a year long afaik (think it can be done part time too)---there are no entrance exams for the LPC (no FE1 equivalent in the UK)
4) Then you do the TC, i think its 2 years straight over-there

Prospects for finding a TC over there are not great at the moment but are certainly better than here.

I stand to be corrected on any of the above.

Hope this helps in some way and hope company went well for ya!

Ab roller plus

kd28 wrote: »

Have worked for a firm for three years with the promise of a traineeship, doing the work of a solicitor let alone a trainee already, really really enjoy it, work hard and have a young daughter aswell, have just finished FE1's , last two and should get them I think, however I fear I am going to get the old "times are tough" routine when the time comes,

You shouldn't be so pessimistic. When the time comes, you need to sit down with your boss and talk to him or her.

From the firms point of view they will have to pay your fees and your wages will on PPC 1 and PPC 2. They will also lose your labour while you are on the course. I think this would be the main reason why he/she wont want to sign a training contract, unless of course they cannot even afford to keep you on in your current position never my as a trainee.

You might have to contribute to your fees and waive your right to be paid on the course. It really depends on how much you want it and the need of the firm.

As for actually starting on the course that wont be until September 2010 so you should try and make yourself indisposable.

I dont think you should give up on Ireland just yet.

Check www.sra.org.uk for dealing of how to become a solicitor in Eng. Wish you the very best whatever you do.

Paul1979

50 euro is a bit of a rip off

mincie

Anyone have 2009 Independent College Manuals for sale in Cork area.
Thanks,

Independent Col

This seminar takes place on Sunday, November 15th, (@ Independent Colleges, Dawson Street) from 10 am to 2 pm.

It will comprise:

* a memory skills masterclass by Charles Garavan of The Memory Academy,

* a workshop on CV preparation by JJ Harrington, and finally,

* a talk on securing an apprenticeship and life as a PPC student by former Independent Colleges' FE1 student Maurice Regan.


RSVP to Sharon Weafer, FE1 Course Administrator, 60-63 Dawson Street, on (01) 6355 826.

sunnyside

Independent Col wrote: »

This seminar takes place on Sunday, November 15th, (@ Independent Colleges, Dawson Street) from 10 am to 2 pm.

It will comprise:

* a memory skills masterclass by Charles Garavan of The Memory Academy,

* a workshop on CV preparation by JJ Harrington, and finally,

* a talk on securing an apprenticeship and life as a PPC student by former Independent Colleges' FE1 student Maurice Regan.


RSVP to Sharon Weafer, FE1 Course Administrator, 60-63 Dawson Street, on (01) 6355 826.

While this is obviously an attempt to sign up new students it's also very generous of you and a very good idea. So thank you.

brian__foley

sunnyside wrote: »

While this is obviously an attempt to sign up new students it's also very generous of you and a very good idea. So thank you.

Ha! I'm sure you'll find that a cv preparation course is being held elsewhere where you may already be a student, sunnyside.

I'm sorry if me being on this board has created some sort of idea that there needs to be competition for peoples attention on here. I really only tried to help people on a personal basis. Sorry if my contributions have created this...best for me to stay away I think and leave the boards alone if the net result will be "Indep v GCD" kinda stuff. Hope I did help those who needed it, but I'll steer away from future use on here...

Regards

Brian

GCD

shaneybaby

brian__foley wrote: »

Ha! I'm sure you'll find that a cv preparation course is being held elsewhere where you may already be a student, sunnyside.

I'm sorry if me being on this board has created some sort of idea that there needs to be competition for peoples attention on here. I really only tried to help people on a personal basis. Sorry if my contributions have created this...best for me to stay away I think and leave the boards alone if the net result will be "Indep v GCD" kinda stuff. Hope I did help those who needed it, but I'll steer away from future use on here...

Regards

Brian

GCD

i'm finished my fe1s brian so i couldn't care less who you promote, a little selfish maybe. in fairness i can't remember one post of yours going on about gcd or ind so far play cause i'm sure the temptation is there. post away, i'm sure most people here enjoy the words of the more experienced lawyers as i do. if people aren't intelligent enough to shift between any promo guff from the articulate mussings then they probably should't be doing fe1's anyway.

sunnyside

brian__foley wrote: »

Ha! I'm sure you'll find that a cv preparation course is being held elsewhere where you may already be a student, sunnyside.

I'm sorry if me being on this board has created some sort of idea that there needs to be competition for peoples attention on here. I really only tried to help people on a personal basis. Sorry if my contributions have created this...best for me to stay away I think and leave the boards alone if the net result will be "Indep v GCD" kinda stuff. Hope I did help those who needed it, but I'll steer away from future use on here...

Regards

Brian

GCD

Dont go:) You have done nothing but help people here, always answering questions for anybody who asks regardless of which college they attend if any at all.

Is there a CV/memory skills seminar in Cork (or on moodle)? I have always been very happy with the Griffith lectures, they really are excellent, it's the facilities in Griffith Cork I'm always moaning about.

brian__foley

sunnyside wrote: »

Is there a CV/memory skills seminar in Cork (or on moodle)? I have always been very happy with the Griffith lectures, they really are excellent, it's the facilities in Griffith Cork I'm always moaning about.

If I answered that, I'd be getting into the shilling which isn't why I'm on here!

C.Duffy

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to sell copies of recent fe1 manuals from Griffith? I'm sitting my first four next April.... Tort, EU, Equity and Property..
Any help or advice would be much appreciated :)

brian__foley

C.Duffy wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to sell copies of recent fe1 manuals from Griffith? I'm sitting my first four next April.... Tort, EU, Equity and Property..
Any help or advice would be much appreciated :)

On getting those manuals, just watch out that EU and Property will be constantly updated in class given the new Acts / Treaties (assuming we know that they are examinable!).

You can hold you breath until Neil Maddox's commentary on the new land act comes out (soon he says!) or until Wylie's comes out. I'm not sure where you'd get a good (and quick) Lisbon update, but I have to assume there must be loads of "quick and easy guides" on europa...http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm

Just make sure you don't rely on property and eu manuals without updating yourself in this way (assuming, again, the Law Soc clarify the situation).

C222

Hi all, just wondering does anyone have advice on which EU lecturer is better, Jennifer Goode or Sarah Neligan? I know it tends to be subjective but any recommendations either way would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!

michael_23

Hi,
Considering taking the FE1's. Just looking for some opinions on what grouping of topics is best, if one were to take the fe1's 4 at a time?

..really appreciate any insights, Thanks

Arsenal1986

Equity and Property should go together, theres some overlap - although not as much as some people say.
Apart from that its up to yourself - Constitutional and EU are generally regarded as most difficult as they are the biggest and one can't really leave anything out. Therefore if doing two, pick just one of these.
Contract and Equity are in my opinion relativley easy and small.

Also, it is shocking that ppl are having to pick their subjects now for the revision course an law society havnt yet brought out the timetable, without the day in between exams anymore one could concievably get 4/5 in a row which for most ppl would make it impossible to pass all 4/5 of those exams

PC021

Does anyone have an idea as to when the September/October results should be out?

kd28

brian__foley wrote: »

Ha! I'm sure you'll find that a cv preparation course is being held elsewhere where you may already be a student, sunnyside.

I'm sorry if me being on this board has created some sort of idea that there needs to be competition for peoples attention on here. I really only tried to help people on a personal basis. Sorry if my contributions have created this...best for me to stay away I think and leave the boards alone if the net result will be "Indep v GCD" kinda stuff. Hope I did help those who needed it, but I'll steer away from future use on here...

Regards

Brian

GCD

Absolutely not, i'm sure many others will agree your imput was fantastic and is/was most appreciated by all, there is way to much of the "versus" in the whole scrum to get to Blackhall anyway,