Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi seniors, does any one have any insights on where people who fail part b (ie fail more than 2 papers) usually end up? Is it worth waiting another 6 months to take the re-examination, or, is it preferable to consider doing something else after one finishes one’s TC?

For the former, securing employment at a decent mid size firm post-re-examination seems difficult, and even if possible, the current outlook in the legal industry isn’t very bright - dismal salary generally if not in a decent firm.

For the latter, how common is this? How receptive are employers generally to law grads with zero internship experience outside the legal industry? What paths are available? MA programmes or consulting?

For context, I’m not from a degree mill and did decently well in law school. Also, even if I were to pass part b, I’m very inclined to consider alternative routes, not least because I’m not sure if I can see myself doing legal work for the next 30-40 years.

You're on the right track my friend. Law is for losers who think it's a good trade to sacrifice their youth, time, happiness and health in return for a higher than average slave wage. Most of what they earn is paid back anyway in the future in the form of increased healthcare costs, shortened lifespans and alimonies (if they're male). Just see for yourself how toxic this thread is and you can guess what your future will be like in the legal industry.

Gun for those bank or MNC MA programmes and consultancy (you better start prepping for case interviews) if you wish. The world's your oyster.

Any insights into the NUS GLB program?
How does it compare with JD Smu and Suss in terms of reputation and where do NUS gLb graduates go after law school?

Any age discrimination by employers?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You’re incorrect. It is true part b is impossible to fail taking into account resits.
On first attempt, there are many who fail one subject.

the bar (pun intended) has been lowered so much nowadays?? In my time fail means fail on first attempt. If u had to retake any papers, u obviously havent been paying the slightest attention. We even had time to go overseas on short holiday trips 2 or 3 times during part b and no one I know failed.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

the bar (pun intended) has been lowered so much nowadays?? In my time fail means fail on first attempt. If u had to retake any papers, u obviously havent been paying the slightest attention. We even had time to go overseas on short holiday trips 2 or 3 times during part b and no one I know failed.

It's the opposite actually; they have made both part a and b more difficult to pass for the past 2 or 3 cohorts, all in the name of raising the bar (pun unintended for me). It's no longer a walk in the park like the good old times. If I recall correctly, it was in the papers recently that they intend to make it even more difficult for future cohorts.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

the bar (pun intended) has been lowered so much nowadays?? In my time fail means fail on first attempt. If u had to retake any papers, u obviously havent been paying the slightest attention. We even had time to go overseas on short holiday trips 2 or 3 times during part b and no one I know failed.

Lmao. Some might say, upon reviewing past year part b papers, that when the bar is low it doesn’t take much to cross it. Probably not the same in recent times; I hear that some papers now require candidates to pass every question?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I recommend the reverse, if you can afford it. Go Oxbridge for undergrad and shoot for a FCH (it's easier than at NUS, plus it's actually possible to get good grades while having a good social life in the uk). If you really want, do an LLM at NUS (though i dont think it's worth it unless you want to practise a very technical area of law like shipping). Oxbridge grads most definitely would not lose out to NUS grads, here or anywhere else in the world. Oh, and I think most BCL/LLM(Cantab) would not refer to themselves as 'oxbridge grads', a term understood by most to be referring to someone who did undergrad at oxbridge.

Oh then how come some lawyers in practice after getting Harvard LLM label themselves as Harvard educated? I think once you complete a proper degree there (at both undergrad or postgrad level) and not some certificate programs, you’re entitled to say you’re a Cambridge / Oxford graduate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Lmao. Some might say, upon reviewing past year part b papers, that when the bar is low it doesn’t take much to cross it. Probably not the same in recent times; I hear that some papers now require candidates to pass every question?

As one who took part A and B in the past 2 years, I can confirm that part A has gotten more difficult (compared to my seniors' accounts) but part B is still easy. It's hard to fail. The only way to fail is if you don't give a hoot and can't even get the basics right. You do have to pass every question for mods like ACP, but frankly it's doable. You just have to be militant with your time. Curiously, I heard that 2 of A&G's trainees failed ACP in 2017.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Oh then how come some lawyers in practice after getting Harvard LLM label themselves as Harvard educated? I think once you complete a proper degree there (at both undergrad or postgrad level) and not some certificate programs, you’re entitled to say you’re a Cambridge / Oxford graduate.

that idiot trolling lah. NUS fch hard to get? NUS doubled the FCH liao, now machiam not worth anything.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Oh then how come some lawyers in practice after getting Harvard LLM label themselves as Harvard educated? I think once you complete a proper degree there (at both undergrad or postgrad level) and not some certificate programs, you’re entitled to say you’re a Cambridge / Oxford graduate.

Not sure about Harvard llm but from what I hear the Oxford bcl is genuinely hard to get into. It's not one of those pay money and get kind of llm. Nus llm on the other hand... Is just an extra year of the same courses offered to the undergrads. Popular with law grads from our poorer southeast Asian neighbours or india. That being said the quality of the subjects taught at Nus even at undergrad level is very good.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Not sure about Harvard llm but from what I hear the Oxford bcl is genuinely hard to get into. It's not one of those pay money and get kind of llm. Nus llm on the other hand... Is just an extra year of the same courses offered to the undergrads. Popular with law grads from our poorer southeast Asian neighbours or india. That being said the quality of the subjects taught at Nus even at undergrad level is very good.

I agree. BCL worth must more