FE1 Exam Thread (Read 1st post!) NOTE: YOU MAY SWAP EXAM GRIDS

LawStudent1234

What time does everyone think the results will be out? I can’t take not knowing

Kellyg248

Can anyone shed light in thier online exam experience please? I've read the outline on the Law Society web page, just loking for personal experience

K 😊

nmurphy1441

Kellyg248 wrote: »

Can anyone shed light in thier online exam experience please? I've read the outline on the Law Society web page, just loking for personal experience

K 😊

I found it good! Didn’t have any issues with it. I still would have preferred writing to typing. It felt like, once I had an answer complete, I hadn’t enough. Whereas if that answer had been in writing, I would have been confident I had enough down. That was the only thing for me really!

Fe7

Kellyg248 wrote: »

Can anyone shed light in thier online exam experience please? I've read the outline on the Law Society web page, just loking for personal experience

K ��

I personally liked it better than writing in person. There were downfalls though.

Positives: Not living near Dublin or Cork, I didn't need to pay for transportation or a hotel which saved me almost 900EUR in all.

You can copy and paste within the exam which saves time re-writing intros, info from the Q. Your thoughts can be laid out faster when typing than writing. Legible, so less of a chance examiner misses or can't understand something and thus hopefully no lost marks. Also, depending on the questions/topic you can copy/paste case notes within that you already wrote in another question.

The first exam you very well may need the extra 30 minutes to get comfortable with the system and for your motor skills to adapt. However by the second exam the 30 minutes serves as an extra 30 minutes you can allot to your questions.

If you have a browser that supports spell-check, you can use that to aid spelling.

You're in the comfort of your own home, if this is already comfortable.

Cons: Not many from my side but some people had tech difficulties. Not knowing if the grids were of any use because I was unsure if the examiners would have made harder due to the extra time we had in the end (that was more covid-related), or if they were going to make it easier as it was a new method of exam writing. Oh yeah.. and having to wait 9 weeks for results.

laworlawww

LawStudent1234 wrote: »

What time does everyone think the results will be out? I can’t take not knowing

If I had to guess I'd say after lunchtime anyways, for August we randomly got an email around 4.15pm saying they were out

Iso_123

LawStudent1234 wrote: »

What time does everyone think the results will be out? I can’t take not knowing

Under normal circumstances they're released at 10 but you get an email the week before to tell you this. For August they weren't out until like late afternoon and with no warning so it really could be any time. Im not even sure if they will be out tomorrow. has anyone been in contact with the LS to confirm this will be the case?

jus_me

Iso_123 wrote: »

Under normal circumstances they're released at 10 but you get an email the week before to tell you this. For August they weren't out until like late afternoon and with no warning so it really could be any time. Im not even sure if they will be out tomorrow. has anyone been in contact with the LS to confirm this will be the case?

I was, they said they ‘hope’ for the results to be out tomorrow and that’s the plan

FE1new

Would anyone have condensed notes for Tort and Contact? I have been really sick and am way behind on study with only a few weeks to go. I have good notes, sample answers and papers in Criminal, Property, Equity and EU to swap!

maggie95

Fe7 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. I think they should refund the re-check fee when it does result in a change.

They do refund if your result changes

Hazel774

LawStudent1234 wrote: »

What time does everyone think the results will be out? I can’t take not knowing

Not knowing is killing me!! I don't want to get up early in the morning in case they don't come out until late afternoon and then I just sit worrying for the whole day haha
Especially since they mightn't even be out tomorrow!

Edit: I emailed a while back and they said the 'provisional' date was Monday 11th, but if they were still planning on releasing them on Monday I assume they would have updated the website, even if just to remove the line saying we'll get an email a week in advance!

ihatethesea

Hi Guys, does anyone have a Constitutional and/or Company grid ? I have grids in all other subjects, some not completely up to date but up until 2019 at least!

Hamerzan Sickles

Whatever time the results are released tomorrow, there's a lot of usernames I recognise here and I just want to say something. The FE1s are notoriously difficult exams. We had to sit them in the most difficult circumstances that anyone has had to sit them in since they were first introduced in the nineties (I think they were introduced in the nineties anyway). Hopefully I'll receive good news tomorrow and I'll never have to sit them again and I will be able to move on with my life. If I don't, or if anyone reading this isn't where they want to be by this time tomorrow, I would urge you not to lose hope. Persist and persevere. That's all these exams really require. To have sat them in this year of all years and given them your best shot is a great achievement in itself and is a testament to your individual will and character.

Good luck tomorrow. I tend not to stick around for the post-analysis so it's unlikely you'll hear from me then.

ihatethesea

Also, if anyone has any advice on how to tackle constitutional id be so so appreciative of it, ive just been looking back at previous comments from people who sat it last round and its really frightened me in respect of workload and complexity. Is there a certain amount of topics that you absolutely have to study, can you leave any out at all? and if so, what are the absolute musts?

Lallers96

jus_me wrote: »

I was, they said they ‘hope’ for the results to be out tomorrow and that’s the plan

Simply not good enough, they've had 9 weeks and a nice Christmas break for themselves to get them released on time.

Lallers96

I see A&L Goodbody have their summer internship, and their TC applications open.

Are there any other places that have opened theirs? The legal vacancies website isn't updated often at all since there's zero mention of A&L Goodbody at all.

maewest19

Maples Calder!

EmmaO94

Hey guys, just canvassing opinion on the case note q in Constitutional - I know for EU no one touched it with a bargepole really, is that the same for Constitutional? Or is it worth putting time in to prepare for it?

Hazel774

EmmaO94 wrote: »

Hey guys, just canvassing opinion on the case note q in Constitutional - I know for EU no one touched it with a bargepole really, is that the same for Constitutional? Or is it worth putting time in to prepare for it?

It's pretty unpredictable, but it's not impossible. He tends to include some of the recent big cases which you will probably have studied anyway and then some older seminal cases e.g. McGee / Norris cases etc.

I didn't end up answering it on the day as I only knew one of the cases well, 2 of them I didn't have in my notes at all and then for the last one I only had around 3-4 lines in my notes.
But the way I had prepared for it was to look at a few sample case notes, have the structure of a case note learned off (like background/ facts/ decision/ impact/ change in law etc.) and then when I was making notes for each topic every time I came across a recent important case or a seminal case I'd make note of it and plan out in my head how I'd do a case note on it.

Even though I didn't answer that question on the exam, I'd still advise having an idea of how you'd answer it, as I imagine it's a good question to start with if you have 2 of the cases. And you will know most of the big/important recent cases anyway as they are referenced throughout the exam paper - that's basically the only thing that's predictable with constitutional, he will focus on recent cases.

Basically, my advice is not to waste too much time preparing hundreds of case notes, but have a general structure/ approach in mind and then if you recognise two of the cases on the day it would be handy enough. Hope that helps!

legallyginger

Creol1 wrote: »

Where would I find my candidate ID? I was registered with the website separate to the FE-1 so I used that account to apply but I see now that there is a different account for FE-1 students which I hadn't noticed till now.

Wondering has anyone who didnt get a candidate ID from the LS because of the online sitting get in touch to see how we get the results?

EmmaO94

Hazel774 wrote: »

It's pretty unpredictable, but it's not impossible. He tends to include some of the recent big cases which you will probably have studied anyway and then some older seminal cases e.g. McGee / Norris cases etc.

I didn't end up answering it on the day as I only knew one of the cases well, 2 of them I didn't have in my notes at all and then for the last one I only had around 3-4 lines in my notes.
But the way I had prepared for it was to look at a few sample case notes, have the structure of a case note learned off (like background/ facts/ decision/ impact/ change in law etc.) and then when I was making notes for each topic every time I came across a recent important case or a seminal case I'd make note of it and plan out in my head how I'd do a case note on it.

Even though I didn't answer that question on the exam, I'd still advise having an idea of how you'd answer it, as I imagine it's a good question to start with if you have 2 of the cases. And you will know most of the big/important recent cases anyway as they are referenced throughout the exam paper - that's basically the only thing that's predictable with constitutional, he will focus on recent cases.

Basically, my advice is not to waste too much time preparing hundreds of case notes, but have a general structure/ approach in mind and then if you recognise two of the cases on the day it would be handy enough. Hope that helps!

This is super helpful thank you! Thanks for taking the time to answer.

awsah

legallyginger wrote: »

Wondering has anyone who didnt get a candidate ID from the LS because of the online sitting get in touch to see how we get the results?

I emailed, no answer....I wil let you know if I hear anything. It is going to be frustrating tomorrow if they release the results and people who have no candidate ID's can't acces them!

ann1994

Fe7 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. I think they should refund the re-check fee when it does result in a change.

Yes if you pass on the recheck you get the recheck fee refunded too!

Spreece

EmmaO94 wrote: »

Hey guys, just canvassing opinion on the case note q in Constitutional - I know for EU no one touched it with a bargepole really, is that the same for Constitutional? Or is it worth putting time in to prepare for it?

Constitutional case note is unpredictable and hard to score points on. However the EU case note question is completely predictable and, with more than a hint of hyperbole, is probably the easiest question in the entire FE-1. Read the exam reports, the examiner says exactly what he is looking for. The cases are memorable and interesting. You can easily prepare about 6 to 8 cases and be sure that you will have covered 3 that are on the paper.

Spreece

Hazel774 wrote: »

Constitutional November paper was:

• Essay on Standing - specifically jus tertii (with reference to Mohan v Ireland and P v Judges of CC)
• PQ on FO Expression (journalistic sources) I think it was mixed with a bit on exercise of judicial power/SOP
• Essay on Kerins v McGuinness and O'Brien v Clerk of Dail Eireann re SOP
• A PQ involving an Act of Oireachtas re fishing in Irish waters – (didn’t do this Q)
• Essay on Right to Earn a Livelihood
• PQ involving delegation of powers to a minister (I think! didn’t do that Q)
• PQ involving someone with mental health issues detained in hospital against his will - Q asked to advise on challenging the process which led to detention . (I answered on liberty, Art 40 applications & right to life but not sure if that was 100%)
• And the usual case note question

No question on AG/ President or Interpretation

Great summary and as I recall there was some debate about what topic was being examined in at least two and maybe three of the questions.

It was a complete pig of a paper.

Hamerzan Sickles

Hazel774 wrote: »

Constitutional November paper was:

• Essay on Standing - specifically jus tertii (with reference to Mohan v Ireland and P v Judges of CC)
• PQ on FO Expression (journalistic sources) I think it was mixed with a bit on exercise of judicial power/SOP
• Essay on Kerins v McGuinness and O'Brien v Clerk of Dail Eireann re SOP
• A PQ involving an Act of Oireachtas re fishing in Irish waters – (didn’t do this Q)
• Essay on Right to Earn a Livelihood
• PQ involving delegation of powers to a minister (I think! didn’t do that Q)
• PQ involving someone with mental health issues detained in hospital against his will - Q asked to advise on challenging the process which led to detention . (I answered on liberty, Art 40 applications & right to life but not sure if that was 100%)
• And the usual case note question

No question on AG/ President or Interpretation

In retrospect, this was the worst FE1 paper that was set in recent years I think. If anyone remembers the discussion on this thread after it, I don't think anyone was happy with it or had managed to answer all five questions.

Hazel774

Hamerzan Sickles wrote: »

In retrospect, this was the worst FE1 paper that was set in recent years I think. If anyone remembers the discussion on this thread after it, I don't think anyone was happy with it or had managed to answer all five questions.

Yea I agree, it was pretty horrible! There was a lot of confusion afterwards on what some of the questions were even asking
Feeling extremely nervous for the results of this one!!!

FE1new

I am actually bricking it this morning waiting on the results (that's if they are even are released).

There goes my concentration in work for the day!

Lovestolisten

Anyone hear of the results are being issued today ??
This is so unfair , leaving everyone hanging.
How do you prep for repeats?

Kids home from school , working from home .. things are hard enough without all this uncertainty.

EmmaO94

Lovestolisten wrote: »

Anyone hear of the results are being issued today ??
This is so unfair , leaving everyone hanging.
How do you prep for repeats?

Kids home from school , working from home .. things are hard enough without all this uncertainty.

The not knowing is the worst part :-(

Iso_123

When I click on the results link, my august sitting results are still there.. Does anyone think this means that we might not get the results today? The website still hasn't been updated either! What a joke honestly

Could spend all today (and the past weekend) stressing and then still very likely we mightnt hear anything today! So unfair!

biglawhead420

Iso_123 wrote: »

When I click on the results link, my august sitting results are still there.. Does anyone think this means that we might not get the results today? The website still hasn't been updated either! What a joke honestly

I there any chance you could post that link to the results? Thanks

Saved.bythelaw

Was told this morning by the law society they dont know if its even today the results will be out and don't know what time or date.....
I was then put through to whoevers in charge in the FE1 section and was brought to voicemails.

Iso_123

biglawhead420 wrote: »

I there any chance you could post that link to the results? Thanks

This is it:
https://www.lawsociety.ie/Public/Become-a-Solicitor/FE-1-Exam/FE1-Results/

still no update from august though

Fe7

So I just rang them.

The receptionist usually puts through to the FE1 section, but this time was given a script message to relay to any callers for that section. I said that wasn't good enough and she put me through. I spoke to Carmel I believe, and she said that an email would be going out today with an update, but couldn't say what the email was about.

I did complain and say that there was already to be an email a week ago and that the communication on their behalf was terrible. They basically pawned it off onto the education officer as who is to blame.

Saved.bythelaw

Saved.bythelaw wrote: »

Was told this morning by the law society they dont know if its even today the results will be out and don't know what time or date.....
I was then put through to whoevers in charge in the FE1 section and was brought to voicemails.

Honestly that’s such bullsh*t. It’s less than 2 months to the next round and almost 9 weeks since the last round finished! It’s so infuriating and we’re so powerless! Completely at the law socs mercy and they treat us terribly!

WesternC123

Fe7 wrote: »

So I just rang them.

The receptionist usually puts through to the FE1 section, but this time was given a script message to relay to any callers for that section. I said that wasn't good enough and she put me through. I spoke to Carmel I believe, and she said that an email would be going out today with an update, but couldn't say what the email was about.

I did complain and say that there was already to be an email a week ago. They basically pawned it off onto the education officer as who is to blame.

Thanks for the update! Did she even say when the email would be going out?

Fe7

WesternC123 wrote: »

Thanks for the update! Did she even say when the email would be going out?

She said this afternoon/3pm-ish. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Hazel774

Iso_123 wrote: »

When I click on the results link, my august sitting results are still there.. Does anyone think this means that we might not get the results today? The website still hasn't been updated either! What a joke honestly

Yea that’s exactly what I was thinking, I was holding out hope they’d be released at 10am like they usually are, but nothing yet so now I’m thinking they probably won’t be released today!

So annoying as I emailed on Friday and was told the provisional release date is Monday 11th, you’d think if they were planning on releasing it on Monday they’d have everything finalised and ready to go on the Friday, I’ve never seen an organisation to be so last minute and unprepared for everything they do

FE1Pleb

Seriously, seriously disappointing news from the Law Society.

I suggest that if you get the time, to voice these concerns with the Law Society. The only way they seem to respond to complaints is when they are made by the masses. Hopefully at the very least it will bring about some change for the next sitting. Disgraceful treatment.

FE1Rookie

Great. So now to waste an entire day, and possible all ****ing week waiting for results when they've had 9 weeks to correct them, when the usual time is 6 weeks. And nobody can give anyone a straight answer. The end of the law school can't come soon enough. I've seen better clerical officers work for Intreo offices and that's saying something.

I literally can't study until I get these results.

lsheehaneire

What is actually going on ! 9 weeks later. Provisional access bring granted to people WITHOUT knowing their results....something does not seem right with all of this. Is there anyone more senior in the LS that can be accountable for this fiasco?

EmmaO94

This is actually shambolic :-(

I'm in the UK and there's been SO much outrage about GCSEs recently, whereas imo our plight equals that or arguably outweighs it but no one gives a sh1t lol. Not having a pity party but feeling very hard done by and it sucks to be honest

Fe7

Their mission statement is a joke.

https://www.lawsociety.ie/About-Us/Service-Statement/

"The Law Society of Ireland is committed to providing a high standard of service to our members, students, stakeholders and members of the public at all times. We act with the highest possible standards of integrity, fairness and independence as we work to fulfil our Vision and Mission in accordance with our Values.

Mission:

To provide excellent legal education and training.

Enquiries:
We will..

Work to make all of our communications with you straightforward, clear and concise.

Respond to all enquiries promptly. If we are unable to respond with a full answer to your question, we will let you know we’re looking into it and when you can expect an answer. If we are out of the office, we will let you know who to contact in our place through our voicemail or out-of-office email."

...really?

Jeremiah25

The way the whole FE1 results system is run, with their failure to provide any information to candidates and their inability to answer phone calls/emails is an absolute joke. It really is amazing that they are allowed to operate as they do.

Lovestolisten

They didn’t even answer the phone to me , called 3 times.
I feel like calling Joe Duffy 🙈

Hamerzan Sickles

So we don't yet know if results are to be released today or not? I would assume they will be as that was the provisional date listed. You can probably assume they will be released later this afternoon. Until we get confirmation that they won't be released today, I don't think we need to panic.

Lovestolisten wrote: »

They didn’t even answer the phone to me , called 3 times.
I feel like calling Joe Duffy ��

That would be hilarious.

Healyjhow

I messages them on Facebook and got a reply four minutes later “ sorry for any confusion. The results are provisionally scheduled for this week, though the FE-1 team will email candidates as soon as the release is confirmed.”
I’m assuming this means no results today unfortunately.

Hazel774

Fe7 wrote: »

She said this afternoon/3pm-ish. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Well considering they said we’d get results this week and that we’d get an email a week in advance, I’m going to assume this is just more lies and bullsh*t they use to shut us up

(Thank you for sharing though lol)

Hamerzan Sickles

Healyjhow wrote: »

I messages them on Facebook and got a reply four minutes later “ sorry for any confusion. The results are provisionally scheduled for this week, though the FE-1 team will email candidates as soon as the release is confirmed.”
I’m assuming this means no results today unfortunately.

You would think this year of all of years they would do their best to stick to the provisional release date given already.