Emma shares her experiences and reflects upon her recent participation in the 2022/23 Mini-Devil scheme, which is organised and hosted annually by the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland. The Mini-Devilling Scheme offers Diploma students an insight into Devilling and life at the Bar. The scheme also provides a safe space for students to hone their advocacy skills and gain first-hand experience of legal work. Application Process During the Diploma induction week at university, we got a talk about the Mini-Devilling Scheme from Craig Findlater, one of the Mini-Devilling co-ordinators. It sounded ve ..read more

Starting a legal career without family connections may seem daunting, but it is by no means impossible. In this article, Neil Hay, Solicitor Advocate and Partner in the law firm Levy and McRae, provides a personal account of his experience building a thriving legal career from scratch, focusing on the importance of determination, education, and strategic networking to overcome any barriers to entry you might face. A few years ago, a work experience law student at my firm asked what private school I went to, and the name of the law firm where my parents worked. It was obvious to her that a par ..read more

Daniel is currently a first year Trainee Solicitor at a full-service commercial law firm. He graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first-class LLB Scots Law degree and attended the University of Glasgow for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. In this blog he discusses his journey from school to Trainee Solicitor with an emphasis on the various challenges facing those from less privileged backgrounds pursuing a legal career. Whilst it is trite to say that studying law or pursuing a legal career is challenging for every single person who goes through the process, there are ..read more

The Diploma as a Student and a Staff Member The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice - the final academic step in Scotland before embarking on your legal career. It is also a part of the route to qualification that can feel a little bit shrouded in mystery. When I applied for the Diploma, I had very little idea of what to expect from it. I had heard different things about different providers and had the impression that the course was a bit like Marmite: you either loved it, or you hated it, but I had no clue why. I started my Diploma at the University of Glasgow in 2020. My year was, unfort ..read more

As a law student without any family or friends in the law profession, I was entering my studies very much in the dark. I knew the degree would be tough, however I had no idea what to expect. I hope that by sharing a ‘typical day in the life’ as a 2nd year law student at the University of Glasgow I can help some prospective law students in their transition to university. Foremost, I would like to stress that this is my ‘ideal’ day. As a student, no two days are the same! In order to be successful in your studies, you have to find out what works for you.I have met so many law students who struc ..read more

So, we’ve reached 2023 and many of you will be qualifying between March and September. Some of you are likely worried about how the market looks and whether a space in your desired practice area will be available come qualification time. Don’t be. This year isn’t massively different to most others. Yes, we are in a recession but recessions don't scare me and they shouldn’t scare you. I started out in legal recruitment about four seconds before the market crashed in 2008. I watched law firms pivot into other practice areas and survive. And then thrive. The market changed considerably over the ..read more

In honour of 'Time to Talk Day' our most recent guest blogger Courtney Evison, a third year LLB Law Student at the University of Stirling discusses the effects of imposter syndrome, shares her own experiences of imposter syndrome and provides useful tips on how to manage it. Imposter syndrome. Unfortunately for many of us this may be all too familiar. No matter how successful, experienced, or accomplished a person may be, the chances are we have all experienced feelings of imposter syndrome in some form at some point in our life. If you’ve ever repeatedly found yourself asking things like “how ..read more

Week 1, Day 1 of Devilling "Today officially marked the start of devilling at the Faculty of Advocates, nearly 9 years after I started in law. I am fortunate to be joined by 10 other talented and enthusiastic devils this year and to be led by the Director of Training, Hugh Olson. The Foundation Course started today and will go on for the next 5 weeks. The concept behind the various courses is "tell-show-do". This morning was an introduction to the various activities over the coming weeks with an overview of the feedback and review method to be used. The afternoon was spent with the wonderful B ..read more

Puneet Kaur Puri, a Senior Solicitor and Notary Public at Inheritance Legal Solicitors, and mentor at Sikh Lawyers Association explores the recent initiatives taken by law firms, legal organisations and their regulators to support employee mental health and wellbeing. She also shares her own experiences and tips for both aspiring and practising solicitors for seeking support and balancing work and social life. Although the Pandemic feels like a lifetime ago, the context of unpredictability in connection to the lockdown, unemployment, several restrictions and the changes in today’s standard of ..read more

Brogan Varney, a 2021/22 Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) graduate from the University of Glasgow shares her insights on how she made her decision about where to study the Diploma, the format of her studies, highlights and tips and advice for future Diploma students. Why did you choose to study your diploma at the University of Glasgow? (What drew you to that specific Diploma provider, what was important to you?) I chose to study at the University of Glasgow because of recommendations from friends and preferring the way the course was delivered. I studied the LLB at Strathclyde a ..read more