FE1's or Legal Executive training?

I know there are loads of threads here about FE1's and I have read a lot of them but couldn't find exactly what I need.

I have a degree (Science), have been working as a teacher and I want to become a solicitor. I know how difficult it is to get training places so I'm wondering if I did a course to train as a legal executive would that give me an advantage because I would be more useful/employable in a practice?

The course is in Griffith College by the way. Would I be correct in thinking that the content of the Legal Exec course is similar to the FE1 content and by doing the Legal Exec course I'd have an extra qualification?

Also does anyone know if it's possible to buy Griffith College notes or where people who have them from last year might advertise them for sale? I asked about the correspondence course via Griffith and it appears to be the same price as the course where you attend lectures which just seems wrong.

Don't you need FE1's to qualify as a solicitor anyway?

CCOVICH said:

Don't you need FE1's to qualify as a solicitor anyway?

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Yes, and I plan on doing them. Sorry if I explained badly. I'm wondering if I should do the Griffith night class that goes through the FE1 coureswork or do the Legal exec course instead assuming the content is similar to the FE1 content and do the rest of the FE1 course by myself then I'd have a qualification as a legal exec which might help get training contract.

The Griffith courses are highly recommended, although a few grinds from the right people may be just as good, especially if you can get your hands on the Griffith notes.

If you search Google Groups for 'FE1 Discussion Group' you may find a site of some interest.

I'd imagine any legal experience would be an advantage.

I'm not in the legal profession myself, but know plenty people who have done the FE1's recently and it's tough going.

CCOVICH said:

The Griffith courses are highly recommended, although a few grinds from the right people may be just as good, especially if you can get your hands on the Griffith notes.

If you search Google Groups for 'FE1 Discussion Group' you may find a site of some interest.

I'd imagine any legal experience would be an advantage.

I'm not in the legal profession myself, but know plenty people who have done the FE1's recently and it's tough going.

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Thanks for that.

Yes, you would have an additional qualification.

I would imagine actually working as a Legal Executive would be an advantage in looking for an apprenticeship - not sure if having the course alone would make much difference. The ILEX course would give you an additional qualification - but you are aware the Legal Exec course is two years (part-time anyway - not sure if there is a full-time course)? So if you are starting your FE1s now, you could well be finished them and ready to look for an apprenticeship by the time you have finished your ILEX course.

You could try to get a job as a Legal Exec while on the ILEX course - but this might also be difficult without experience. I presume also you would have to take quite a hit salary-wise if you chose this option.

I did the FE1s (by reading the Griffith manuals) and a friend of mine has just finished her first year of the Griffith Legal Exec course. I had a brief look at a couple of her manuals and they seemed to me to be similarish in content to the FE1 manuals, but cover the topics in far less depth. I don't think you would be able to pass the FE1s using only the Legal Exec course manuals.

Thanks for replies, did a search for google group but couldn't find it. I've never used groups before though so maybe my mistake. Do I need an invite to join? Could someone post or private message a link please. And Sinead are you selling the manuals?

Here is a link to the FE1 Group.

sinead84's post has been removed as it contravenes one or more of our Posting Guidelines

I have the Legal Exec qualification from Griffith and I have 5 years experience in total working as a legal exec. I also have the FE-1s but can not get myself a training contract. I would have thought, like some others posting here, that the qualification and the work experience would help, but alas no. The problem really is there aren't enough training contracts to go around, which makes me wonder if there will be the jobs to go around when everyone qualifies. The profession has become overloaded recently with trainees and people sitting the entrance exam.