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

Nikcan18

I just spoke to the LS and they said the results won't be out today.

Lovestolisten

EmmaO94 wrote: »

Ya couldn't make it up.

I've passed 4 fe1s and sat 2 in November so hoping I only have 2 left for March, but that ofc hinges on these results. Urgently need to know if I'll be sitting 2, 3 or 4 exams in March, as that will of course totally alter my study schedule. Every day that ticks on makes me more stressy, I hate this.

Add in one full time job from home and two primary school children being homeschooled.

Fe7

Nikcan18 wrote: »

I just spoke to the LS and they said the results won't be out today.

*eats popcorn as chaos ensues*

EmmaO94

Lovestolisten wrote: »

Add in one full time job from home and two primary school children being homeschooled.

My heart goes out to you honestly, this is so so unfair.

lawDani

Fe7 wrote: »

*eats popcorn as chaos ensues*

that made me lol at my desk in the office. this forum is my sanity.

hopefully results Friday so...

neon123

caius97 wrote: »

If you're looking for TCs now, I know the following firms are still hiring:
A&L Goodbody
Philip Lee
Matheson

Hope this helps and good luck!

For the written work PL require, can this be a Master thesis completed a few years ago? They do ask for something recent but I haven't had to write any pieces in a long time!

Nikcan18

Nikcan18 wrote: »

I just spoke to the LS and they said the results won't be out today.

Did they give any further info? Thanks for sharing!

About to tear my hair out 😭

lawDani

DavidX90 wrote: »

Enough is enough.

I have now contacted Joe Duffy's Liveline to explain the ridiculousness of this (recurring) situation. Hopefully they will let me speak on the show!

In the meantime, I'll be replying to every one of their social media posts, and sharing the story with journalists and local politicians.

Can we please stick together on this. Thousands of us are affected. Strength in numbers and all that...

this is strength. and makes me hopeful for change and respect from the law society. it takes one Domino to get the effect rolling so thanks to anybody who has led this! my nerves. strength definitely in numbers lets be heard! albeit through Joe Duffy and mainstream media!

Ryan G

I don’t see any reason why the next sitting wasn’t postponed an extra month to avoid the anxiety and panic they are causing everyone at present. Is there any legitimate reason why they wouldn’t do this?

Hazel774

DavidX90 wrote: »

Please take a look at @LawSocIreland most recent Tweet.

They actually have the cheek to post about mental health when many of us are struggling to cope with this whole situation!!!

Haha READ THE ROOM!!

Jesus, they’re actually comical at this point

biglawhead420

Ryan G wrote: »

I don’t see any reason why the next sitting wasn’t postponed an extra month to avoid the anxiety and panic they are causing everyone at present. Is there any legitimate reason why they wouldn’t do this?

If you email them they might consider it.

I am sure this has been raised and I think they said if there was enough interest that maybe they might entertain it.

Nikcan18

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Did they give any further info? Thanks for sharing!

About to tear my hair out 😭

No further info unfortunately.

AlexTG356

Ryan G wrote: »

I don’t see any reason why the next sitting wasn’t postponed an extra month to avoid the anxiety and panic they are causing everyone at present. Is there any legitimate reason why they wouldn’t do this?

Especially with the issue of rechecks.

lsheehaneire

snap me too..it would have be nice to know here we stood before the home schooling kicked in!!!

FE1HOPEFUL

Thank you so much to everyone who has already replied to the Law Society's recent tweet about mental health, or just tweeted @ them generally, requesting clear communication regarding release of results and highlighting that the next set of exams are just 6/7 weeks away. Sitting these exams is already a significant financial burden and everyone has enough to contend with in their personal and work lives at the moment without having to also try to plan ahead with this ongoing uncertainty and lack of communication/explanation. Hopefully if enough people raise the issue we will hear something soon.

jus_me

Nikcan18 wrote: »

No further info unfortunately.

Who did you get thru to so hard to get someone on the phone

lawDani

my heart is broken with these release dates. nearly two years doing them and its always an extremely anxious, sacrificing time!

maggie95

Just off the phone with them myself and can confirm no results today. They say they're endeavouring to release results this week (no promises). They are hoping to have an email out updating us on the situation this week...

I asked for the formal complaints procedure and was told to email FE1section@lawsociety.ie - honestly not a good enough complaints procedure in my opinion.

I told them that I had to laugh when I saw the tweet about mental health as there is an obvious lack of care for FE1 candidates' mental health.

To be fair to Shirley & Team, I don't think it's them who are the cause of the issue, it's definitely a senior management issue. I feel bad giving out to Shirley when I know it's not within her control but my gosh it is a frustrating situation.
Well, another few sleepless nights ahead anyway.

caius97

neon123 wrote: »

For the written work PL require, can this be a Master thesis completed a few years ago? They do ask for something recent but I haven't had to write any pieces in a long time!

hey there! I was offered a place from Philip Lee, feel free to message for any advice! I found the process much less stressful to other TC applications and it was really quick as well.

I sent off my undergraduate dissertation from 2019 if that's any help. I'd say your thesis would be fine

Hazel774

Ryan G wrote: »

I don’t see any reason why the next sitting wasn’t postponed an extra month to avoid the anxiety and panic they are causing everyone at present. Is there any legitimate reason why they wouldn’t do this?

A lot of TC’s start in April/May (doing your first seat before blackhall). And it would already be tight enough after a March sitting given they correct the exams at a glacial pace.

So people starting TCs in April/May (myself included) wouldn’t have an opportunity to repeat before starting the TC if they postpone the March sitting. But it is also unfair on others if they don’t postpone, like the fact that they tried to do everything in their power to hold the last ones in October despite the previous sitting going on until mid August was ridiculous!

At the end of the day, whether they postpone it or not will be dictated by covid, not by consideration for candidates or our mental health/ sanity.

lawDani

maggie95 wrote: »

Just off the phone with them myself and can confirm no results today. They say they're endeavouring to release results this week (no promises). They are hoping to have an email out updating us on the situation this week...

I asked for the formal complaints procedure and was told to email FE1section@lawsociety.ie - honestly not a good enough complaints procedure in my opinion.

I told them that I had to laugh when I saw the tweet about mental health as there is an obvious lack of care for FE1 candidates' mental health.

To be fair to Shirley & Team, I don't think it's them who are the cause of the issue, it's definitely a senior management issue. I feel bad giving out to Shirley when I know it's not within her control but my gosh it is a frustrating situation.
Well, another few sleepless nights ahead anyway.

thank you for this. unfortunately though somebody needs to be held accountable for the mistreatment of their (law soc) candidates. hahha and no complaints procedure - protection / avoidance / ignorance maybe

bluerthanu

Didn’t Greg O’Shea from Love Island sit these exams? Any way of getting him on board with the appeal given his following ��

DavidX90

I ask that people also contact Joe Duffy's Liveline via Twitter, email, phonecall etc. to confirm that this is a problem.

Otherwise I will probably just sound like a random crazy who has it in for the Law Society (which is semi-true at this point).

Lovestolisten

DavidX90 wrote: »

I ask that people also contact Joe Duffy's Liveline via Twitter, email, phonecall etc. to confirm that this is a problem.

Otherwise I will probably just sound like a random crazy who has it in for the Law Society (which is semi-true at this point).

I sent an email into Joe@rte.ie to add to your email.
Not in Twitter !
Hopefully something is highlighted.
Utterly gutted no results out , studying for March feels like an empty task when I don’t know if I’m doing repeats or last two topics

Fe7

Lovestolisten wrote: »

I sent an email into Joe@rte.ie to add to your email.

Same. PS keep bringing this up so no one misses it from further back haha: http://chng.it/r5CbZFdzgx

Hazel774

maggie95 wrote: »

Just off the phone with them myself and can confirm no results today. They say they're endeavouring to release results this week (no promises). They are hoping to have an email out updating us on the situation this week...

I asked for the formal complaints procedure and was told to email FE1section@lawsociety.ie - honestly not a good enough complaints procedure in my opinion.

I told them that I had to laugh when I saw the tweet about mental health as there is an obvious lack of care for FE1 candidates' mental health.

To be fair to Shirley & Team, I don't think it's them who are the cause of the issue, it's definitely a senior management issue. I feel bad giving out to Shirley when I know it's not within her control but my gosh it is a frustrating situation.
Well, another few sleepless nights ahead anyway.

This is so frustrating and disheartening, I didn’t sleep a wink last night waiting for results today now to be told I’ll just have to stay stressed indefinitely, it’s just not good enough.
I was told by Fiona on Friday that results were coming out on Monday. I do not understand what could possibly have changed over the weekend that they’re suddenly not ready any more - I have no doubt that the papers are corrected at this point so why not just tell us if we passed or not?!

Also laughable that they gave you the same email address that they routinely ignore when asked for a formal complaints procedure.
I’m sure the email for the president of the law society is on their website, perhaps if a few of us send an email highlighting all the issues since March the president may actually listen to it. Although it would be a struggle to fit all the issues into one email at this point!

LS3

complaints@lsra.ie - send any complaints and evidence to legal services regulatory authority

EmmaO94

I've emailed Joe Duffy too, would be amazing if we could get some traction on this.

Fe7

LS3 wrote: »

complaints@lsra.ie - send any complaints and evidence to legal services regulatory authority

I have also emailed.

lawDani

i have also emailed Joe Duffy to back up DavidX90

Joe@rte.ie

Mc96

11 am Thursday 14th January - update on the website

Lealaw

Message on law society FE1 results updated:

Results will be released online at 11.00am on Thursday 14 January. Candidates will receive an email today with details about how to log on.

Fe7

Mc96 wrote: »

11 am Thursday 14th January - update on the website

****

Fe7

Fe7 wrote: »

****

3 more sleepless nights that will no doubt impact productivity of study.. less than 2 months before exams. Mental health my bum!

LawLearnin

They've just posted a tweet about the results:

"Results from the November 2020 FE-1 sitting will be released at 11.00am on Thursday 14 January.

Candidates will receive an email today with details about how to log on. Further updates will also be published to lawsociety . ie / fe1exam

Thanks to students for their patience."

FE1new

Results from the October 2020 FE-1 sitting will be released online at 11.00am on Thursday 14 January. For further information and future updates, see http://lawsociety.ie/fe1exam Thanks to students for their patience.

This was posted to their Twitter

lsheehaneire

what are the odds there will be access problems.....

LawLearnin

Nice to finally have a set time and date, but it's mindboggling how evasive they've been through this whole process.

Hazel774

Once again, updating their social media before emailing candidates! Thank god for boards as it’s the only place to actually get all the updates about the exams we’re paying a fortune for...

What are they going to do between now and Thursday?? The papers are obviously all corrected if they were telling people on Friday that results would be out today

feliznavidab

No doubt there will be an email at 5.59pm to 'apologise'.

Fe7

We might have the time and dates but this doesn't relieve the other issues we face time and time again.

How many unanswered emails? How many marked exams with no coherent marking system? The upcoming march exams with no time to prepare for any failed prior exams? And my fave - trying to save face on social media before sending any correspondence to the actual individuals it affects.

Make sure to sign (http://chng.it/r5CbZFdzgx) if you haven't and keep making yourselves heard to the media. We have traction now finally among us all. The solicitors before us pushed to ban the 3-exam pass rule which we can be thankful for. For ourselves and future candidates we deserve respect, communication, and change.

complaints@lsra.ie - send any complaints and evidence to legal services regulatory authority

Joe@rte.ie - Joe Duffy

Ombudsman (.ie) website

Coopie

LawLearnin wrote: »

They've just posted a tweet about the results:

"Results from the November 2020 FE-1 sitting will be released at 11.00am on Thursday 14 January.

Candidates will receive an email today with details about how to log on. Further updates will also be published to lawsociety . ie / fe1exam

Thanks to students for their patience."

This is SO annoying!

lawDani

how is that even an ounce respect for the candidates - a twitter post! blood. boiled. I dont have twitter, lol.

lawDani

http://chng.it/h84yPTvBD

Fe7

lawDani wrote: »

http://chng.it/h84yPTvBD

The link doesn't seem to work for me!

lawDani

Fe7 wrote: »

The link doesn't seem to work for me!

https://www.change.org/p/the-law-society-of-ireland-holding-the-law-society-accountable-regarding-fe1-candidates?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_26799380_en-GB%3A4&recruiter=1173639316&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

Fe7

lawDani wrote: »

https://www.change.org/p/the-law-society-of-ireland-holding-the-law-society-accountable-regarding-fe1-candidates?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_26799380_en-GB%3A4&recruiter=1173639316&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

Oh it's mine haha.. I thought it was a new one, I was ready to sign ahahah

EmmaO94

Fe7 wrote: »

We might have the time and dates but this doesn't relieve the other issues we face time and time again.

How many unanswered emails? How many marked exams with no coherent marking system? The upcoming march exams with no time to prepare for any failed prior exams? And my fave - trying to save face on social media before sending any correspondence to the actual individuals it affects.

Make sure to sign (http://chng.it/r5CbZFdzgx) if you haven't and keep making yourselves heard to the media. We have traction now finally among us all. The solicitors before us pushed to ban the 3-exam pass rule which we can be thankful for. For ourselves and future candidates we deserve respect, communication, and change.

complaints@lsra.ie - send any complaints and evidence to legal services regulatory authority

Joe@rte.ie - Joe Duffy

Ombudsman (.ie) website

Totally agree with everything said here.

For me the real rub amongst other things is the lack of a marking scheme - could not BELIEVE there was no scheme when I started the fe1s, after getting so much helpful info for college exams explicitly stating what was required for a 2.2, 2.1 and 1 answer. And if they even try to use the 'well we provide examine reports' card, totally not good enough - the disparity between subject is farcical - eg compare Crimina's 20+ page reports to Tort which is 1 page long. We need standarised mark schemes for each subject as a matter of urgency.

DavidX90

Just because the results date has now been released, I think it's important to remember what we had to go through to have that information confirmed. Personally, I am still shaking with rage after what went on this morning. It has ruined my whole day.

This should not have happened in the first place and should never happen again. We need to keep pressure on the LSI to make sure they agree with us.

If not, we will be back in this situation again in a few months time.

As others mentioned, please make your voices heard on social media and be sure to file complaints to the Ombudsman, the LSRA and of course, Joe Duffy.

maggie95

ALK2! wrote: »

For anyone interested- I submitted a complaint to the ombudsman re: the Law Societies actions since September 2020 to date through the Ombudsman (.ie) website.

Any unanswered emails/ complaints to LS can be used as evidence.

It's probably unlikely they will or can do anything to resolve our issues but if enough people submit a complaint about the same thing, it may bring attention to the incompetence and inefficiencies displayed by the Law Society year on year.

In the complaint I mentioned- 1. LS confirming date of November exams only weeks before we were due to sit them, 2. logged out of two exams on multiple occasions, provided no extra time for the second exam and no response to emails regarding the difficulty for over 6 weeks, 2. unanswered queries through call and email, 3. delayed exam results leaving limited time to study for March, 4. misleading information concerning result dates, 5. continued avoidance of students who have paid for their service on the day they had outlined results would be released.

Have just submitted a complaint to the Ombudsman myself. Included a plethora of emails that I sent in to the Law Society over the last number of months, which of course received no response, and emails to my TD about the situation. Also included their posts here to show their method of "communication".

I'm fed up of the same nonsense happening year in year out, this year especially was truly outstanding in terms of inefficiency and incompetency.
Every time we complain, start a petition, or garner any kind of debate/support outside of Boards, the Law Society attempt to appease us by releasing statements or tweeting about results dates. We then tend to forget it happened because of that appeasement (naturally) and the exact same thing happens for the next candidates.
This shouldn't be the case, I am committed to seeing this through now. It really will be about the amount of noise we can make, so if you feel the same way about the Law Society as I do, then please email your TD, submit a complaint to the Ombudsman, ring Joe Duffy, do whatever so we don't have to deal with this bulls*t again.