lem

Hi @MrTea I have spoken with the University of New England and was advised that the module costs for 2017 are $2,725. There isn't any difference in cost if you undertake distance learning, as far as I am aware. However, you may want to check out the website in respect to when you can study each module as some are only available in one trimester of the year. From the research that I have done, it does not look as though the University of New England offers modules in the Practical Legal Training course so you would need to study elsewhere for these. I can't speak for anyone else, but I am only applying to NSW Legal Admissions Board as it is more lenient in comparison to other states. You are also charged a fee to have your degree qualifications assessed and a separate fee again to have your PLT qualifications assessed. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't really want to waste money applying to every state.

Hi Maria Well done on seeing it through. I am at the beginning of the process, hoping to qualify in NSW from Scotland. Did you do distance learning with UNE? If so, how did you find it? I am hoping to undertake two modules per semester/trimester, not sure if three would be too much!

Hi Everyone, Just thought i would provide an update - I am applying to have my qualifications assessed by New South Wales Legal Admissions Board. I am still working as a trainee solicitor at the moment, due to qualify in three months. I am not sure if it would be more beneficial to apply for the assessment of my qualifications after I qualify as opposed to now as I might have to study more modules. I have emailed the NSW Legal Admissions Board to query this. I am then hoping to undertake the additional modules at the University of New England distance learning. My plan is to take two modules for the first semester and see how this goes. I will keep this thread updated along the way. Thanks, Lem

Hi Peachy, thanks for your response. I have sent you a PM.

Yeah, I have read that thread and most of my questions have been answered now, thanks. I have looked at UNE and I think I will go there, I have sent them an email so hopefully they will get back to me shortly. I have also looked at this thread:- http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/jobs-careers/201510-trainee-solicitor-question-2.html One of the posters was planning on moving back to the UK due to her partner not being able to secure work as a solicitor. Do you know what opportunities there might be for a family law/court solicitor like me? As I said previously, I will have completed my traineeship and have two years post qualification experience before emigrating. I also have 2 years experience work in a legal secretary role. I have completed legal work experience, volunteered for Witness Support Scotland and have worked as a precognition agent. I am looking to emigrate to Victoria, but open minded about location.

Yeah that was the same one that was sent to me. I have only just noticed UNE on there. Thanks for all your help!

Hi Marlou, thanks for all the info and the links, that's really helpful. I have been on the Legal Admissions website for Victoria and read everything over during the weekend. I looked into Deakin University to undertake the additional units; however, it will costs $3,900 per unit. The Legal Admissions Board of Victoria forwarded on a PDF of the institutions that they will accept the units from. I thought I would have to undertake the units at a university within Victoria but the institutions they accept are across Australia. I have made enquiries to Queensland University of Technology and Maquire University about cost of units etc - just waiting to hear back. Do you know what states will accept qualifications from the University of New England and College of Law? Have you decided not to emigrate? From the research I have done so far, I thought as much re having to take 5/6 subjects and 2 practical modules. I heard that cross qualifying in England reduces the number of additional units you need to do; however I'm not sure how reliable this is. It costs £4,000 to do the conversion course for England so don't think I would be saving much.

For those of you who have undertaken the additional modules - what university did you decide to go with? Would you recommend them?

Thanks @Nemesis for the info, that's great.

Thanks for the advice @Racmac. Have you emigrated to Australia now or are you still in the process? I was having a looking at university costs of the single modules. I am looking to go to Victoria, but I am open minded to other areas. Deakin University details costs of around $3,293 per law module for foreign students which seems quite high, I am not sure if the price is different if you are studying long distance? Would you happen to know? Other threads on here from earlier this year suggest $2,300 per module, but I guess it probably differs from each state and university. I know it's a complete uphill struggle, but I do feel very determined. It may come to nothing and I will have wasted time, money and effort but I know I would regret it if I didn't at least give it a try.

Thanks for the info Racmac. My plan is to emigrate in December 2019 when I will be two years post qualified as opposed to going over freshly qualified. Due to the solicitor occupation being on the flagged list for removal I was thinking of applying for a skills assessment in the next few months, undertake the necessary modules and apply for admission. From the other threads I have read on here, some have had to undertake 6 additional modules which would take a year to complete as you can only study a maximum of 3 per semester. Therefore I estimate a year to complete the additional modules. Hopefully the solicitor occupation will remain on the list the next year or two so that I can apply for my visa say September - December 2017. I am not too how long the visa process takes - I have read around 12 months which would take me to September - December 2018 if this is granted. I would then hope to emigrate in December 2019. I am not sure if there is a time limit between having your visa granted and moving out as I wouldn't be looking to move out for around 12 months after my visa is granted. I will need to look into this more to see if this is possible.

Hi WRussel, Thanks again for your detailed response. I have read that in order to meet the work experience requirement, you need to have been employed in an occupation on the SOL list for 12 of the 24 months before you can actually apply for a visa. I have also read that the occupation can be a closely related occupation. Is this right? It would mean that I am eligible to apply for a visa now as I have been a trainee solicitor for nearly 13 months. However, I haven't yet had a skills assessment, undertaken additional modules and been admitted as a solicitor in Australia. I take it I need to do this first before applying for a visa? Thanks.

No problem, thanks.

Hi, I have had a look tonight. In respect to distance learning, I understand that this is possible and reference is made to sitting exams at the College of London. Does anyone know if it is possible to sit the exams at a university in Scotland? I have also read that visas take around 12 months to process, but I am unsure if you can begin the process without having had two years post qualified experience. I couldn't find any information on the threads that I found. I would be grateful if anyone is able to advise. I haven't seen much information on solicitors being on the flagged list. I see that they were on the 2015-2016 list and 2016-2017 list. Do people expect this occupation to be removed soon? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi, Many thanks for your reply and the information you have provided. Are you able to comment on any of my other questions at all? Do you know anything about the flagged occupation list by any chance? Thanks again.