AndySingh

Hi All, Further to my earlier message I have now heard back from the Queensland Legal Practitioners Admission Board who have assessed both my Academic and PLT legal training. I am a newly 2016 qualified UK Solicitor 29 years of age. I have been informed that I need to study the following on academic level: Administrative Law Civil Procedure Contracts Company Law Criminal Law and Procedure Federal and State Constitutional Law Torts 7 in total relating to Academic. In relation to the PLT I have to take two further courses: Ethics and Professional Responsibility Trust and Office Accounting. I must say that I was hoping to have received back fewer subjects but having spoken to the Admission board directly they have informed me why. This news is still very fresh and therefore I guess I have the task of taking all of this information in and assessing where I can start these courses. Ie - Can I commence some of these courses in the UK or would it just be better to enrol into an Australian University and come to Australia on a student visa to undertake these. From speaking briefly to one University in Queensland the costs seem quite high to undertake these subjects individually around $4k per subject and the semester will commence in Jan/Feb next year. I will email a bunch of the universities over the weekend to find out what the best study options would be to include prices and then assess whether transferring to Australia as a skilled Solicitor is still a viable option. I understand that I need to complete these subjects and be admitted into a state for migration purposes so that's fine, it just a matter or now trying to complete these courses. I don't think that there is any point in any appeals as I have been told that these are only considered if there is any new and further information. If anyone has any further information or can offer any support this would be really appreciated either on here or please do PM me directly. I am sure that there are many of us in the same boat? I will let you know how I get on once I have spoken to a few universities, but if anybody has any past experience I would love to hear from you. I understand that the skills assessment lasts for 5 years and have been told that I have that time to complete the additional subjects. Part of me feels like I should just take the opportunity of a Working Holiday Visa and make use of the fact that I have not turned 31 yet and I should just travel to Queensland for a few months and then assess study options while working however I know there are study limitation on the Working Holiday Visa. Its a shame the news is not better, this means that long term if I fancy a career down under, I first need to find the money and dedicate at least a year to studying either long distance or part time in person. I wonder how many people have studied extra academic subjects long distance, where they studies and what the experience has been? Thanks again and sorry for the rant. Andy

Hi. I have just come across this thread. Some very interesting advice above. Its nice to see that there are other people in the same boat who are experiencing the same difficulties, would be great to discuss this further with @Racmac @louisella @Libbyella. I have recently qualified as a UK Solicitor and in the process of gathering all of my docs to send for my Queensland Skills Assessment, I expect the news may not be great but need to get the ball rolling so that I can further review my options. Best scenario there may only be a few more subjects to undertake whilst I am in the UK.