Government Legal Service Training Contract

[Lonewolf]

I read through a post made by Suze regarding a training contract for the Government, I wanted to see if anyone on here was also going for this, or had anymore indepth knowledge about what the interview was like, what department were you aiming to work for?

What are the salary ranges? Work hours? etc etc

The reason I ask is that, there is alot of information about commercial firms practices but less about government legal work.

Any information would be appreciated, I am currently reading their website at all the varying departments, but any hands-on information would be appreciated

[Penny]

I did a vac scheme at TSol in the immigration department. The hours are good (9.15 - 5.30 most of the time), the pay isn't so great for london (c. £20K).

Personally I didn't lke the work in that department (trying to get people deported), but the people there seemed to enjoy it.

The application last year for training contracts was just a problem question type essay and a verbal reasoning test. Not great imo, because there's no opportunity to tell them all the usual application form stuff about why you want the job.

Don't know what the assessment day is like, i didn't get invited to it.

Hope that helps x

[suze]

Hours, I can't really comment on until I get there, although Penny's hours seem to be what I have been prepared for. Think they also vary as to the type of work you are doing - I'm led to believe that you are busier if doing litigation.

Salary varies by department, but is between 22-26k for trainees i think. So less than city, but if you convert that into hourly pay, you're actually getting the same as a MC firm (or so I am told, haven't done the sums myself.)

Application process changed the year after I did it, I did a fairly standard application form (normal group hug questions, why do you want to be a government lawyer, team work etc.) Then verbal online tests (of the true or false variety) and an assessment day. The assessment day was 1 hour interview with a 5 minute presentation on a subject of your choice, group task discussing some instructions on a new policy from a minister, and a written test interpreting some legislation. I believe the application form is now more of a research/interpretation thing now, but the other stages remain unchanged.

You might find this useful: http://www.chambersandpartners.com/cham ... 998&sec=14

Recruitment starts every summer (july i think), interviews in September. They always recruit 2 years in advance, and will pay your LPC fees.

Anything else you want to know, I'll help if I can!