Effective legal applications

© University of Edinburgh Careers Service, www.ed.ac.uk/careers, 0131 650 4670 1

www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers

www.ed.ac.uk/careers www.law.ed.ac.uk/lawcareersblog

Effective Legal Applications CVs, cover letters and application forms

Effective Applications – applying for legal traineeships

Applying for traineeships is a time-consuming business! It requires careful thought and preparation, even before you put pen to paper. You may feel

that you do not have time to spare and juggling applications with your studies can seem completely overwhelming. Remember though, that

dedicating time at this stage to developing important job-hunting skills is a genuine investment in your career and likely to pay dividends in the future.

So take the time to read this booklet before you make applications for traineeships. Even if you are one of the lucky few who gets the first

traineeship they apply for, making effective applications is a skill that you will need throughout you working life.

Contents

• Making effective applications 2

• Application forms 6

• Typical questions and how to approach them 8

• Writing a CV 15

• References 18

• Covering letters 19

• Further information and resources 21

• Example CVs and covering letters 21

http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers

http://www.ed.ac.uk/careers

http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/lawcareersblog


Making effective applications

What do law firms want?

Law firms are interested in you as an individual, what differentiates you from

others, and also why you want to work for them, in their area of the legal

profession. Study, work and spare time activities will have developed useful

skills and given you the opportunity to demonstrate personal qualities such

as tact, enthusiasm or teamwork.

Law firms are interested in 4 main areas:

• Your academic performance

• Your work experience (paid or unpaid)

• Your activities and interests

• Your motivation and suitability for their firm and area of law

Before making applications, make sure you follow the steps below:

STEP 1: Assess what you have done

Jot down some basic information. You will need a record of your education,

work experience and other activities. Include course projects, time spent abroad, positions of responsibility, voluntary work, sports, music and drama

activities and other interests.

Next to each of these, write down ‘from’ and ‘to’ dates and brief details about what you did – job tasks, courses taken, prizes won and so on.

Keep this information safe. You will need it for almost every application you make.

STEP 2: Assess what this means

Using the information from STEP 1, write down significant events and

achievements. Divide your experience under headings, such as education,

work experience, travel, leisure and voluntary activities.

Take each activity and make a note of what insights you gained and what

skills and qualities you developed. Focus on exactly what you were

involved in and what your unique contribution was. These notes will make it


easier to fill in application forms, write your CV and prepare for interviews by

providing evidence of your suitability.

Example

Activity Task Skill/Quality

demonstrated

Education LLB

Essay Research and write

on prescribed legal

topic

Information

processing,

analysis, written

communication,

time management

Tutorial Present topic to

group

Presentation skills,

influencing skills,

interpreting

information

Dissertation Research and write

in depth on chosen

legal topic

Research skills,

managing large

amounts of

information,

writing appropriate

to audience, time-

management

Work

Experience

Call centre

worker

Responding to

individual

enquiries

Answering queries Verbal

communication,

diplomacy, calm

under pressure

Inputting data Recording query

and response

Accuracy and

attention to detail

Training new staff Running induction Presentation skills,


You will need to highlight different experiences according to the job/person

specification for the traineeship, but always try to present an even

spread of evidence from as many areas of your life as possible.

STEP 3: Research the firm/traineeship

Research the law firm or organisation and have some understanding of what

they are looking for.

• Read all the literature available to you from the firm/organisation and

consult their website if they have one.

• Read relevant legal job studies – available via the Law School Careers

web pages: www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers > Careers & Employability > Legal

career in Scotland

• Call the firm for more information, particularly if a named contact is

given for ‘informal discussion’ about the opportunity. Think of questions

sessions interpersonal skills

Interests/

Activities

Mooting

Competition Present a case on a

point of law

Teamwork,

Motivation, verbal

communication,

persuasion, time-

management

Nightline

volunteer

Listen to concerns

of others

Responsibility,

commitment,

empathy, listening

skills

Member of

sports team

Playing in a team Commitment,

teamwork, time-

management,

reliability, co-

operation.



you want to ask before you call. Ask for copies of leaflets they give to

clients. This can be useful for getting a ‘feel’ for a firm.

• Check other relevant websites (e.g. professional associations) and

read any relevant press e.g. The Journal Online www.journalonline.co.uk.

Speculative applications

Some smaller law firms never advertise – they recruit only from speculative

applications. Thorough research is vital to success – use the information on

the Law School careers web pages www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers > Careers &

Employability > Job Hunting, to focus your approach. A small number of

well-targeted applications is more likely to produce results than a mass

mailing.

STEP 4: Make the Link

Use your research to match the skills and qualities required (or that you feel

are required if you are writing a speculative application) with the evidence of

your suitability for a traineeship with that firm/organisation. The aim is to

produce an application that connects the needs of the employer with your

skills and experience.

Do:

√ Research the firm/organisation and their culture as fully as possible

√ Read the job/person specification carefully and match yourself to the

requirements

√ Keep a copy of applications sent with a note of who you sent it to and

when

Don’t:

Make multiple, ‘general’ applications for traineeships. They wont be

targeted enough to impress a firm!

http://www.journalonline.co.uk/



Application Forms

Take as much care with online applications as with paper ones. Do the same

research, preparation and reflection. Know what you have to offer, what the

firm/organisation is looking for, and match the two.

Online Applications

Most employers use online application systems, which save them time, money and paper.

It’s worth knowing that…

• Some systems do not allow you to revise your answers. Draft and

spell-check your responses in Word, then paste them into the form when you’re happy with them.

• Some organisations use automated selection software, looking for key words in your application. You can make an educated guess at

these ‘buzz’ words by carefully reading their recruitment literature.

• Some forms can be inflexible. Some English Law firm application

forms may not allow for Scottish qualifications; contact the law firm for advice if you encounter problems. Many also limit the number of

characters of free text you can enter.

Tips for making good online applications:

• Read everything you can about the firm and their traineeships. Selection criteria such as minimum academic or nationality

requirements and the skills and aptitudes they are seeking, will help you decide whether to apply.

• Print the form, if possible, and read each question carefully before attempting an answer.

• Do not write too much. Even if some forms do not restrict the amount of space you have, bear in mind that someone has to read it!

• Be extremely careful to make all the necessary changes (especially with organisations’ names!) if you are pasting text from other

application forms.

• Print your completed application and keep it for future reference. If

you cannot print the whole form, copy and paste into Word for your records.

• Check, and check again before clicking the SEND button!


Avoiding application frustration:

• Read the application advice on firms’ websites. They often tell you how long the form takes to complete, whether you can save as you go along

etc.

• Give yourself plenty of time, in case you encounter technical difficulties.

• Choose somewhere quiet to work on your application. If using the Careers Service PCs, try to avoid busy times, e.g. lunchtime,

afternoons, or near closing time.

• Record your registration details securely if you need to register to

access an application form.

• Take occasional breaks. You’re more likely to spot any errors when you

return to your work feeling refreshed. Remember to save your work regularly – some online systems will automatically log you out after a

period of inactivity.

Paper Application Forms

Paper forms are still used by some firms, especially smaller firms and public sector organisations. You may have to download a copy of their application

form from the firm’s website and return it by post or email.

The same principles apply to the content of online and paper applications. The main difference with paper forms is that your handwriting is important –

it must be neat and legible handwriting, and check you grammar and spelling carefully –attention to detail is crucial in the legal profession!

Keep to the space allocated for each answer (yes, it can be difficult!) as the

box-size usually reflects the length of the answer they’re looking for. Photocopy the form and use the copy to draft your answers. And photocopy

your completed form to use as a prompt when preparing for interview.

Send the form unfolded if possible, with a brief word processed letter

(shorter than the covering letter sent with a CV) outlining the contents of the envelope and explaining any special circumstances if necessary.


Typical questions and how to approach them

Competency-based Questions on Application Forms

Below you will find some examples of competency-based (also called

"behavioural" or skills-based) questions found on application forms, plus example answers. These questions are usually looking for evidence of skills

that need to be used in the job and often start with "Describe a situation where you had to..." or "Give an example of when you ...".

THE "STAR" APPROACH (or STAR(R))

A useful way of dealing with this type of question is by using the STAR approach. STAR(R) stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, (Reflection).

It gives structure to your answer and avoids the common mistake of just describing a situation, without the essential analysis. The Situation

introduces and describes the situation. The Task describes what you needed

to achieve. The Action is what you did, and forms the main focus and should be the longest part of your response. The Result is the outcome of

your actions, and, like the introduction, should be quite short. (Reflection, if you include it, is your reflection on your actions, how you developed, and

possibly what you would do differently in future).

Situation Describe the situation you were faced with, when, where, with whom?

Task

Action

What did you need to achieve, what was the task ahead of

you?

How? What action did YOU take? Beware of simply focusing on what the group did without mentioning your individual

contribution.

Result What results did you achieve/conclusions did you

reach/what was the outcome?

(Reflection)

Reflecting back on the situation, what did you learn – about yourself and others – as a result of your actions? What would

you do differently, if anything, another time?

(NB This approach is sometimes know as the ‘CAR(L)’ approach – Context,

Action, Result (Learning).)


Typical competencies/skills/qualities looked for in the legal profession

include communication (written, verbal, listening), personal effectiveness (interpersonal, persuasion, self-motivation, negotiation and

influencing,), problem solving, analytical, research, attention to detail, resilience, commitment.

Examples

Q. Describe a challenge you have faced, how did you overcome it, and what

did you learn?

A.

Situation

On moving to Edinburgh I wanted a new interest which would challenge me, and give me the opportunity to meet new people. I have always been

interested in listening to classical music, and although I could read music, I had never found it easy to play an instrument.

Task

I decided to learn the clarinet; I like the sound and they are easy to transport.

Action

I placed an advert in the music school for a tutor and a music student took

me on. I made time for individual practice each day, and also set up a beginners group by advertising in the university and via networking

websites. As a result a small group met each week, taking turns to set pieces to practise then perform together at the weekly group session. We

gradually made progress and increased our repertoire.

Result

Via my tutor I learned of a small orchestra who were happy to have enthusiastic novices play with them. I went along, joined in their practice

sessions, and have now played in the local church at their Christmas concert. I also continue to practise with my original music group.

Reflection

Organisation, time-management, commitment and networking were key to succeeding in my ambition learn to play an instrument to a standard where I

could play in public. Playing an instrument is great relaxation, being part of a group develops great camaraderie, and it is thrilling to be part of a public

performance.


Q. Tell me about a situation where you have persuaded someone to change

their attitude or views?

A.

Situation

Last year I was living in a student house with friends. We discovered the

house did not have a functional television aerial.

Task

I volunteered to liaise with our landlord and with a view to getting the aerial fixed.

Action

I rang him and informed him of the broken aerial and asked him to repair it.

He was reluctant to do so unless we paid for it ourselves. I pointed out that fixing it would be beneficial for him as it would be easier to rent the house

out for next year with a functioning aerial. I also suggested that as we would only use the aerial for 9 months it would be unfair on us to pay. My

arguments persuaded him to my point of view and he agreed to pay for the

installation of a new aerial.

Result

I was successful with my persuasion and reasoning. The aerial was fixed at no cost to us.

When answering these types of questions:

- Try to give quantifiable results if possible.

"during my time as membership secretary, membership increased by 50"

"I improved club funds from a deficit of £300 to a surplus of £500"

Although not always possible to do this, if you can, it gives a much

better understanding of what you have achieved.

- If the result was negative, then say what you learned from the

experience and what you would do differently next time.

- The examples you give should come from different areas of your life -

your work, study or personal life. Use your initial research and thinking

to inform your answers

- Do not go into too much background description – the analysis of your

actions is more important.


- Think of the most relevant examples for each question. Plan your

answers for the whole application form before you start, to enable you to use your evidence to best effect.

Other typical questions and tips for approaching them

Q. Why do you want to work for (name of firm) in particular?

Make reference to whichever of the following applies:

- Type of legal work they do – demonstrate your interest via course choice/work experience etc

- Their reputation – mention any awards, standing in Legal 500 or Chambers and Partners if relevant, mention in legal journals, recent

cases involved with etc

- Their clients – demonstrate interest in their client groups – whether

commercial, legal aid, public sector etc research recent activity

- Quality of work and training, including support network, support for

Professional Competence Course and Test of Professional Competence

- Culture of the organisation/firm (friendly, good work life balance, pro-

bono – whatever might apply, and attract you)

- Retention rate of newly qualified lawyers

- Variety of practice areas – giving insight into broad area of legal profession; opportunity for seat with client

Q. What attracts you to a career in commercial/private client/public law,

etc.?

Make reference to the following:

- Your studies (chosen options, interests), relevant work experience and

insights gained

- Your abilities – the intellectual challenge, team work, self-motivation,

- What the job offers – variety, client group, team work, career prospects,

clear career progression, challenge, pace, work with like-minded people

- The work suits your motivators – whether business focus, financial

rewards and benefits, helping the disadvantaged, public focus etc.


Q. What makes you suited to a career in law?

Include reference, with examples, to some or all of the following:

- academic ability

- enthusiasm

- motivation

- organisation, discipline, hard-working

- team player

- confidence

- willingness to take responsibility

- common sense

- committed

- results-driven

- communication skills – written and oral

- interpersonal skills

- professional

- passion for area of law

Q. Give details of your main extra curricular activities and interests to date.

What have you contributed and what have you got out of them?

Consider your range of interests (cultural, creative, current affairs, sports-related, community/voluntary based) and decide which ones are appropriate

to your application in terms of what they indicate about you (competitive, self-motivated, a ‘team player’ independent, enterprising) and what you get

out of them (fun/relaxation, fulfillment, new skills/expertise, challenge, companionship). Be specific about your level of interest and involvement in

any activities as this can speak volumes about you.

Open Questions/Personal Statements

Having asked for your personal details, qualifications and previous employment, some forms confront you with a blank sheet and an open

question inviting you to promote yourself. This type of question is often known as a ‘Personal Statement’.

The question can be extremely open or you may be given more guidelines.

For example:


“STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION: Please use this space to provide

evidence of how you meet the criteria of this post with reference to the particular skills, experience and competencies required as set out in the

advert and further information. You may also use this space to provide any relevant information not covered elsewhere on this form.”

Key points for answering such questions:

• Review your research.

o What is the firm looking for?

o What are the key skills and qualities needed?

o What evidence do I have that I possess these key skills and

qualities?

• Read the question carefully. Make sure you take notice of any

guidelines given to direct your answer (Job Description, Person

Specification etc).

• Structure your answer. Break it into short, readable paragraphs and

consider using headings for clarity.

Suggested Structure

1. Explain why you are interested in applying for this traineeship with

this firm/organisation

2. Describe the relevant skills, abilities and qualities you can

contribute.

3. Provide evidence to support your claims. For example, legal or other

relevant work experience, course work or dissertation, positions of

responsibility.

4. Conclude with a summary of the above, restating your interest in the

position and organisation, and emphasising your enthusiasm and

commitment.


Using Headings

Headings can be a very effective way of giving a clear structure to your personal statement and making the information easy to read.

Example Headings - General

Why I have applied for this traineeship

Briefly outline the background to your application, including the relevance of

your work experience and your interest in this traineeship, with this firm/organisation.

Relevant skills

List the skills you have to offer for this firm, and provide evidence under each heading, of how you have effectively demonstrated this skill. Use the

Person Specification to structure this if you have one.

Example Headings – Job specific

The following headings are relevant to a commercial traineeship. Other areas

of the legal profession can be treated in a similar way.

• Commitment to a career in commercial law

• Understanding of legal practice and business

• Legal and commercial experience

• Knowledge and skills gained from legal studies

• Skills gained from other activities

• Additional achievements and interests

Write a short paragraph with your evidence underneath each heading.

Golden Rules for Completing Applications

• Research the firm/organisation and traineeship before applying.

• Read the questions and follow all instructions carefully.


• Provide evidence of the skills and qualities required - re-read the traineeship advert carefully in order to tailor your answers precisely.

• Do not leave unexplained gaps - write “not applicable” rather than leaving spaces.

• Check spelling, punctuation and grammar very carefully.

• Keep a copy of your application.

Where to get further help

You can find more typical questions and approaches to answering open questions in the reference books on applications at the Careers Service. Most

useful for legal applications is the small book ‘The Gherkin Guide to Securing a Training Contract’. Although written for the English legal profession, the

advice on applications and interviews applies equally in Scotland.

Writing a CV

Many smaller firms, and some of the larger firms, require you to apply for

traineeships via CV and cover letter. Speculative application via targeted CV

and cover letter is the only way some smaller firms recruit.

It is essential to target your CV for each traineeship. Along with your

covering letter, your CV must present you as an ideal match for the traineeship for which you are applying.

The basics of writing a CV

• Your CV is your first chance to make a good impression - ‘you at a

glance’. Make sure yours looks professional and has no spelling or

grammatical mistakes.

• Your CV usually includes your personal details, education and work

experience. It also says something about your skills, interests and

activities and gives the names of people who will give you a reference.

• UK CVs are usually a maximum of 2 pages long.

• You usually present your education, work experience and other

activities in reverse chronological order – the most recent (and usually

the most relevant) first.


• You decide on the best way to present your information. Your CV

needs to be relevant, easy to read, and make you stand out from the

crowd!

Personal Details

Head up the page with your name and contact details. Include an address, email that you check regularly, and telephone number. A mobile number is

fine. If you are between addresses (home and semester time) you can give both, with dates of availability at each.

If you are not from the EU you should make clear your right to work in the

UK.

Education

Give details of your qualifications, with dates. Reverse your chronology – put

your most recent qualification first – LLB or Diploma in Legal Practice.

Larger commercial law firms want details of all your marks in your degree. Smaller firms are likely to be more interested in your experience and

commitment to their area of the profession, so just highlight the most relevant courses, or your dissertation. You can also mention any prizes and

scholarships.

There is usually no need to go further back in your qualifications than

Highers or AS levels. You could briefly mention the number of standard grades or GCSEs you achieved, though there is no need to list them all.

Mature students do not normally need to list all of their school qualifications. If you are at all unsure, check with a Careers Consultant.

Work Experience

Work experience does not have to be paid – you may have relevant voluntary work, which can be just as valuable, or even more so, than paid

work.

A useful way to organise this section is to separate directly relevant and

other work experience. For example, if you are applying for a traineeship with a legal aid firm, you could include volunteering with the Citizens’ Advice

Bureau in a section on ‘Relevant Experience’, along with a work placement at a high street law firm. You would then follow with a separate heading for

‘Additional Work Experience’, giving details of your other jobs and voluntary work. Allocate space according to how relevant your information is – so, you


would give more information to your relevant work experience in a law firm,

for example, than to a retail job.

Employers will be interested in what you learnt to do, what you experienced

and what you achieved.

Including context ‘…a busy international office…’

quantifying ‘…assisting 4 solicitors…’

and giving outcomes ‘…resulting in faster client enquiry response times’

can help to make your experience stand out from the

crowd.

So, this CV statement: ‘two week placement with X law firm’

becomes:

• ‘Shadowed 3 solicitors at X solicitors. Gained insight into the work of a

medium sized law firm through assisting where possible and taking an active interest in the work.

• Interest and enthusiasm for legal work led to me being invited to stay on for period of paid employment as office assistant, covering for staff

absence. Developed administrative skills in busy legal setting.

Practical Skills

Include a section for these or incorporate them elsewhere on your CV.

• IT skills – what applications can you use? To what level? Can you use

legal applications that are relevant to the job?

• Languages spoken – do you have ‘basic’, working knowledge’ or

‘fluent’ ability in a language? Only include if relevant, and if you could

work in this language, or were willing to develop your skills.

• Driving licence – if this is relevant to the job.

• Professional memberships – if you hold student membership of a

professional body eg Law Society.


Interests, activities, responsibilities and achievements

This is where your personality can shine through. You can include sports, music, drama,

societies and clubs, positions of responsibility, prizes and awards, travel, community projects, courses such as Insight Into Industry, charity

involvements and much more. Give enough detail to interest the firm and

make them want to interview you to find out more.

Do:

√ write down the key points that you want to include in your CV before you

start writing it

√ make judicious use of space, bullet points and bold text

√ avoid large unexplained gaps in your CV – firms will notice and might be

suspicious if chunks of time are ‘missing’

Don’t:

× give the same amount of space to each job or course – if your Highers

take up as much space as your degree, you’ve probably got the balance

wrong

× use patterns, borders or graphics. A CV is a business document.

× ever lie on your CV – if the firm finds out you could be sacked!

For more advice on writing your CV, look at the links on

www.ed.ac.uk/careers >CVs, Applications and Interviews.

References

Referees should be able to tell the employer about your suitability for the job. At the application stage, you will often be asked to include the names

of two referees with the following details:

• Job title, Contact details, Their relationship to you (previous employer,

academic tutor)


At this stage you should ideally have an academic and a work reference.

The academic referee is usually your Director of Studies or a tutor. The second referee should be someone who knows you in a work capacity –

preferably legally-related. The alternative is someone who has known you for a long time, though this is less useful than someone who can comment

on your work-ethic and suitability for your chosen area of the legal profession. Avoid using friends or relatives as referees.

Make sure you ask people whether they are happy to act as your referee, and then keep them up-to-date about your career plans and the applications

you have made.

If you are sending out lots of CVs, (as you may have to for speculative

applications to smaller legal firms), and will find it difficult to keep your referees up-to -date with your applications, you could say ‘References

available on request’ rather than giving full details.

Covering letters

The covering letter may be the first point of contact you have with the firm and is therefore of crucial importance. It should link your suitability to the

firm you apply to, and must entice the reader to carry on and read your CV. The letter is even more critical if your application is a speculative one.

Content of Covering Letter

The covering letter should be typed (unless otherwise stated) on no more than one page of good quality plain A4 paper, of the same size and style as

your CV. It should be neatly laid out in the style of a business letter. It should:

1. Set the scene. State that you are applying for a traineeship and, if

appropriate, where you saw the advertisement. Confirm that the CV is

attached.

2. Explain why you are interested in a traineeship of this type, with

this particular firm - carefully target your letter and say something

specific about the firm.


3. Explain why your unique blend of knowledge, personal skills and

experience make you a strong candidate. Point out what you have to

offer the firm.

4. Indicate what you hope to gain from the traineeship and where it

fits into your long term legal career plans.

5. Conclude positively. Tone is very important – polite but enthusiastic.

If you are applying speculatively, you may want to add that you will

follow up your letter with a telephone call within a specified period of

time.

Try not to use exactly the same expressions that appear in your CV. If you are replying to an advertised traineeship, check the advertisement and the

job description and show how closely you meet their requirements.

Speculative Applications

If you’re making a speculative application, the letter is even more important. It must state what you want and expect from the firm/organisation as well

as describing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience.

• Address the letter to the most appropriate person in the firm - you

may have to research this, usually by making a telephone call to check

the relevant name and job title (beware of misspelling names!).

• Clearly state that you are interested in a traineeship with this type of

firm.

• Say why you have chosen to apply to this firm/organisation. Show you

know something about them, their clients and area of the profession -

research this carefully.

• Convince the firm that you are suitable for this type of traineeship. Be

persuasive in style and tone.

• State when you are available for interview or discussion.

Do:

√ address it to the most appropriate person

√ ensure that your letter supports rather than repeats your CV


√ show you have thought carefully about your ‘fit’ for the traineeship you

are applying to

√ reflect your enthusiasm in your language

√ ask someone to read over it

Don’t:

× address your letter to Sir / Madam if there is a named contact

× send the letter off without having checked it for spelling and grammatical

errors

× underestimate the covering letter’s potential to make an impact

Further help

You will find further help with CVs and applications via the following:

- Law School careers web pages – www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers > Careers & Employability - section on CVs applications and interviews.

- Careers Service website – www.ed.ac.uk/careers >CVs applications and interviews

- At the Careers Service – a range of folder and books on CVs and applications for reference – we run a self-help information centre – no

need to book to use our resources - and there’s always a Careers Information Adviser on the Helpdesk available to help you find what

you’re looking for.

- Feedback from a Careers Consultant – book an appointment with a

Careers Consultant on MyCareerHub to get feedback on your applications.

Example CVs and Covering Letters

The examples of CVs and covering letters on the following pages will give

you ideas about content and layout. However, do not slavishly copy any particular CV or letter! Instead, choose a style and layout you feel

comfortable with which will allow you to present your information effectively. Your application should be personal and specific to you.


http://www.ed.ac.uk/careers

https://mycareerhub.ed.ac.uk/


Sample Cover Letter and CV (1)

J e n n i f e r J o n e s 33 Buccleuch Street,

Edinburgh, EH2 4KP 0131 789 1234

JennyJones @hotmail.com

Education and Qualifications

2009-10 University of Edinburgh Diploma in Legal Practice

2005-09 University of Edinburgh LLB Hons, High 2:1 Honours courses included: Commercial Law (2:1); Company Law (2:1); Property Law

(2:1); E.C. Law (2:2); International Private Law (2:1) Ordinary courses included: Civil Law (B); Commercial Law (C); Contract Law (C);

Constitutional Law (A); Criminal Law (C); Delict (B); Family Law (B); Jurisprudence (B); Property (C); Tax Law (C); Scottish Legal System (B)

Passed all courses at first sitting

Easter 2008 Vacation Course ‘Insight into Management’ – developed commercial awareness and improved groupwork skills

1999-05 St Mary’s School, Edinburgh SCE Advanced Highers French (B): English (C) SCE Highers English (A), French (A), Art (A), Maths (A), Physics (B),

Geography (A)

Legal Experience

Summer 2008 Dodds Mackay, Solicitor, Edinburgh – summer placement

Gained valuable experience working as part of a busy office team.

Responsible for accurate completion of individual assignments to time.

Experienced client contact in conjunction with qualified solicitors.

Responsible for proof-reading documents and researching aspects of property law for partner.

Other Work Experience

2003 – 2008 Edinburgh Hills Hotel – Part time silver service waitress

Used organisational and interpersonal skills to effectively manage a small staff team and maintain a positive working environment.

Attention to detail essential for accurate and timely payment of bills.

Teamwork was essential to provide a friendly and efficient service for our customers.

Ensuring customer satisfaction in a busy hotel environment required the ability to think effectively on one’s feet, and to remain calm and courteous under pressure.

Effective time management essential for combining work, studies and sporting activities


Awards and Positions of Responsibility

University

President of University Netball Club 2006-08 - Used initiative to investigate fund-raising activities and improve club funds from a

deficit of £500 to a surplus of £700 - Played for university team 2005-08

School

Netball captain 2003-05. Won first place in the Scottish under-18 finals in 2004

Young Enterprise Company Accountant. Responsible for managing finances of a company marketing Christmas cards. Made profit of £350.00 for charity.

Senior prefect with special responsibility for supervising the lower school over the lunch period.

Practical skills

Computer skills Competent in use of word processing, spreadsheet and database packages in office and academic environment

Presentation skills Developed through presenting course work and acting as president of university netball club

Language skills Intermediate French – spoken and written

Interests

Sport Active interest in many sports, particularly netball

Hill Walking Walk in the Highlands as often as possible, and recently completed the West Highland Way

Travelling Enjoy travelling extensively in Europe with family and friends, and also independently. Organised interailing trip through Europe, experiencing many different cultures.

References

Dr A Lecturer (Director of Studies) + (work-related or personal referee) School of Law Old College, South Bridge Edinburgh, EH 8 9JT [email protected] 0131 567 6789

mailto:[email protected]


78 Pinwheel St

Troon

TR3 4KL

Sharon Longstaffe (Recruitment Partner)

Dundas Maclay Donald

24 West Street

Edinburgh

EH8 9JT

13TH October 2013

Dear Ms Longstaffe

Application for Legal Traineeship

I am responding to details of your vacancy advertised in the Law School at Edinburgh and am keen to be considered for this post. I enclose my curriculum vitae as requested.

I have recently completed my LLB (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh and started the Diploma in Legal Practice in September. Having completed a summer placement with the

commercial law firm Dodds Mackay, I am keen to gain a traineeship in a firm which specialises in this area of law.

During my studies I gained knowledge of many different areas of law, but am particularly interested in commercial law, as is reflected in my choice of honours courses. As well as equipping me with legal knowledge, my course developed strengths in researching and

interpreting information, making effective oral and written presentations, and working collaboratively on projects.

Effective time management was essential to ensure I met academic and sporting commitments. I also used my initiative to improve club funds. Work experience with Dodds Mackay has given me insight into work in a busy law firm, developing my ability to

work under pressure and to deadlines, and take responsibility for research projects. I enjoyed the teamwork necessary for the effective functioning of a busy office.

Four years working as a waitress has improved my communication skills and emphasised the importance of customer focus in the workplace.

I am particularly interested in a traineeship with your firm because of your expertise in the field of commercial law, and your training programme which offers training in both technical aspects of the law and in the skills necessary to be an effective lawyer.

I am hardworking, committed to a career in commercial law and keen to develop the skills and knowledge I have acquired so far, in a career in your firm. I look forward to

hearing from you. Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Jones


Sample Cover Letter and CV (2)

24 Buccleuch Avenue Defence and Family Edinburgh

Solicitors’ Way EH8 9JT

Edinburgh EH1 1DD

17th October 2013

Dear Ms Defence,

Application for Legal Traineeship 2011

I am currently studying for the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh. I

am very keen to pursue a career within the field of criminal and family law and have

enclosed my CV with a view to being considered for a legal traineeship with your firm, as

you specialise in both these areas. My University studies, work experience, and volunteering

with Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Witness Support Service have all confirmed my

intentions to practice within this area of the legal profession. I enjoy working with people

and am keen to join an area of the profession which works for the benefit of individual

people, rather than businesses and organisations.

I particularly enjoyed criminal and family law subjects in my legal studies, as is

demonstrated in my choice of honours subjects and dissertation on comparative criminal

procedures and evidence. During lectures and seminars I enjoyed listening to a range of

speakers including representatives from SCCRC and SACRO, Paddy Hill (of the Birmingham

Six) and professionals involved in the Lockerbie Trial. I organised visits to a number of local

prisons whilst researching an essay on the subject of prison conditions.

At CAB I developed my ability to listen to and question clients in an understanding yet

practical manner. I was trusted to do my best to solve the problems of clients’ and to treat

their details as confidential, developing client confidence in the service I provided. During

my CAB work and at university I have always shown great attention to detail, double

checking facts, and reviewing all evidence available before reaching a conclusion to a

question.

In July 2010 I thoroughly enjoyed a work experience placement with ‘Defence and Defence

Lawyers’ in Edinburgh which confirmed my enthusiasm in pursuing a career which includes

criminal defence work. I particularly enjoyed the aspect of client contact, and was able to

build on my experience with CAB. Volunteering one day a week for the Witness Service in

both the Sheriff and High Court has given me valuable experience of working within the

court system whilst developing my knowledge of criminal procedure in Scotland. I have also

developed my communication skills through providing practical and emotional support to not

only witnesses, but family members of the accused or victim.

Having had part-time employment in busy bars and restaurants over many years, I have

gained numerous work-related and social skills along with an aptitude for organisation and

time management.

I am keen to develop the skills and knowledge I have acquired so far in a legal career with

your firm. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

James Ellis


J a m e s E l l i s 24 Buccleuch Avenue,

Edinburgh EH8 9JT

0131 123 4567 [email protected]

Education

2010-11 University of Edinburgh Diploma in Legal Practice

2005-09 University of Edinburgh LLB Scots Law: 2(i)

Honours Courses: Punishment and Society (B) Comparative Criminal Procedure (B), Gender and Justice (B), Evidence (B), Family (A).

Dissertation on Comparative Criminal Procedure and Evidence Passed all professional courses at first sitting

1999-05 Monklands Academy, Edinburgh

6 Highers: Art & Design (A), Maths (A), Biology (A), Chemistry (A), English (A), Religious Moral & Philosophical Studies (B).

9 Standard grades, all at Level 1

Relevant Experience

July 2010 Defence and Defence Lawyers, Edinburgh 4-week placement shadowing all aspects of criminal defence work

Observed the work of a busy criminal law firm and teamwork essential for success, assisting with administrative tasks.

Researched points of law and presented findings to solicitors. Attended client meetings and took clear and concise attendance notes Accompanied solicitors and clients in court. Observed the work of advocates,

judges and solicitors in a busy courtroom setting. Read and commented on case files.

2009-to date Edinburgh Sheriff and High Court Witness Service

Volunteer

Responsible for supporting witnesses by providing practical information, emotional and in-court support.

Organise and conduct court familiarisation visits to ensure witnesses understand court procedure and practice before they attend, to help minimise concerns.

Received thorough training in supporting witnesses effectively.

2007-08 Edinburgh Citizens’ Advice Bureau Trainee Advisor

Completed a ten week course of training which included topics such as how

to conduct a confidential and impartial client interview. Enhanced my problem solving skills through addressing clients’ questions

(including legally and benefits related questions) via the telephone.


Developed excellent interpersonal skills, and gained valuable administrative experience

Other Work Experience

2005-08 Variety of restaurants/bars Waiting and bar staff (Employers included Park Bar, Ruby Lounge, The Bank Hotel)

Developed strong customer focus and team-working skills working in busy

bars and restaurants. Ability to work effectively under pressure in busy establishments important

for good customer service. Good time management essential for combining part time work with studies

and social commitments.

Achievements and Interests

Public Speaking Member of University Mooting Society. Developed team work, time-

management, communication and persuasive skills through taking part in mooting competitions.

Represented Edinburgh City Council in the final of the Scottish Secondary

Schools’ Public Speaking Competition on Accident Prevention during my final school year, as well as taking part in several in-school events.

Sport

Member of badminton club. Enjoy social, competitive and tactical aspect of

game. Cycle as a means of transport and to keep fit

Travel

Planned and organised independent backpacking tour of Eastern Europe and

experienced many different cultures.

Art Passionate about contemporary art and photography. Visit exhibitions in

Edinburgh and beyond as often as possible.

References

Professor Law, Director of Studies, University of Edinburgh, School of Law, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Tel: 0131 650 0000 Email: [email protected]

Ms Court, Witness Service Co-ordinator, High Court of Justiciary, 1

Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2NS Tel: 0131 220 0000

Email: [email protected]



Effective legal applications

Documents

Transcript of Effective legal applications