My work experience and academic studies has focused my ambition to work within the legal system and to practice as a commercial solicitor. I consider myself to be ambitious, intellectual and self-motivated individual, which have helped me to maintain focus on my chosen career. Through my work experience (which is discussed below) I have had the opportunity to work directly with clients, and to assess how best to help them, attentively listening to them and scribing the dialogue.
I am applying for the Legal Practice Certificate Course, not only because it will provide me with the qualifications that I need for my chosen career, but it will also give me a greater understanding of the field of Law. I have chosen this university as it has a good reputation within the field of Law for training and developing individuals, who go on to have long and successful careers in law.
Balancing work and studies has developed my time management and project planning skills, and then developing interpersonal skills that are required to work as a team. I approach studies and work with enthusiasm and confidence, and have the grounding to ask for help, when I am faced with something new or unfamiliar. Whilst studying and working I have learnt the value of team working, it is good to share other’s expertise and ideas to develop the boning in a team.
I have a great deal of work experience, both legal and non-legal. My work experience in law firms mean that I have a good understanding of the work that a solicitor undertakes. As I have undertaken work experience, I am also able to say that I have a good understanding as to the work entailed in my chosen career. I consider that even my non-legal work experience has contributed to my development significantly and has meant that I have a good commercial awareness and good business acumen. Such attributes allow me to appreciate the combination of legal and non-legal considerations that should be taken into account when advising clients. The Legal Practice Course seeks to demonstrate the practical application of the law, having had the experience that I have had means that I will be in a much better position than those without work experience, to grasp the concepts that are being taught and therefore to fully benefit from undertaking the Legal Practice Course.
My work experience also demonstrates my commitment to my legal career and my commitment and dedication to developing client care. I undertook work experience, in part, to ascertain whether a career as a commercial solicitor was really something that I wanted to do. By undertaking the work experience I found that I thoroughly enjoyed the practical application of the law and strengthened my resolve to pursue my ambition of becoming a commercial solicitor.
As I have indicated it is my ambition to become a commercial solicitor. Whilst I appreciate that there is a lot of hard work involved in both becoming and practicing as a commercial solicitor, I readily accept the hard work and challenges that this might bring. I have undertaken work experience in commercial practices and therefore have a good grasp of the work involved and know that I enjoy this and therefore can confidentiality commit to this career choice. As well as being aware that I enjoy the work involved in my chosen career choice, I know that I have the skills to develop my career in law. I am hardworking and committed, have good interpersonal skills and able communicate with clients and peers.
I am efficient and will do what needs to be done to get the job done and therefore will see any project I am tasked with to the end. I also strongly believe that a task should be completed thoroughly and have a very precise attention to detail. I work well both individually and as part of a team. I do find public speaking challenging, but I am determined to improve this area and I think that the Legal Practice Course presents me with the right forum to do so. I am keen to commence the Legal Practice Course in order that I can take the next step in my career and can so that I can continue to develop my legal knowledge and develop a greater understanding of the work involved in my chosen career.
The skills and strengths I have developed through my work experience, I have been able to use in real life scenarios. For example, on a day out, the bus we were travelling on broke down and this was in a rural area and potentially dangerous. Using my team skills, we discussed all the options and found a solution that allowed us to continue with the journey. I also used these skills to raise money for the Tsunami disaster, in the organisation that I worked for, I headed the disaster appeal.
Prior to the start of my current course, I passed A-Levels in Mathematics, Economics, and Accountancy. The study of these topics has assisted me in building a solid foundation in business and a good understanding of economy and financial procedures. Through studying the general running of business, my interest was drawn towards Law, and this led to the decision to take a Law degree and pursue a career in law.
I also have a Higher Diploma in Information and Communications Technology, and Graphics Design, and GCSEs including English, Mathematics, English Language and Literature, Buddhism, Health and Physical Science, Business and Accounting, Science and Technology, English Literature, Social Studies and History. I am working towards achieving a law degree and I am confident that I will achieve this. In demonstration of this I have achieved many of the modules that I have already taken including Contract Law, Legal Skills and Property Equity and Trusts. I received a 1st in the working in the law module.
I am also a member of the university law society, and I am always keen to participate in extra circular activities. I entered the International Competitions for Schools (English)’ conducted by the University of New South Wales and achieved 64th place in the whole of Sri Lanka. In addition I was also the first ever recipient of Wendy Whatmore’s Prize Certificate ‘Effective Text Speaking’ in 2002.
My hobbies include playing the piano and I am a keen pianist. My musical achievements include achieving Grade 8 with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (London), and receiving a Merit Certificate in ‘Piano Solo’ at the Fourth Sri Lankan Annual Competitive Festival in the year 2001. I exercise for relaxation and to keep fit and healthy, and I have memberships with both swimming and tennis clubs.
Through my work experience and the training I have received, I have enjoyed learning the softer skills for example interpersonal and communicational skills. These help me to exchange knowledge and ideas with clients, peers, colleagues, and fellow students. Communication is a fundamental skill required for the work place and life, any training that is offered I have taken and have enjoyed.
This includes written communication, this is an important part of work and studies, to be able to communicate knowledge and ideas, and so these can be recorded and/or marked. Effective writing skills underpin good business practice and this is vital to the written documents which serve as evidence in a court of law.
In the contemporary environment, the ability to change is constantly being tested, and as a result people need to be flexible in the approach and to be able to cope with the pressure of change and to think about situations and problems in fresh and creative ways. This change is present in every body’s personal and professional lives, and it is how we adapt to change that is important.
Through having previous work experience I have already learnt a lot about how business works and this has helped me focus on reaching my goal. Each stage has involved change and adapting to a new environment, this is all part of the process, and makes us stronger, and able to react effectively to the changing pressures within our current environment.
Please consider my personal application for the Legal Practice Certificate Course with the information in this personal statement, as something I have wanted to achieve for a good few years. This is not just to complement my Law degree; it is to expand on the degree to become a legal professional.
As you can see from my personal statement, I am enthusiastic about Law, and fully commit myself to any training, studies or work I take on. I believe whatever you choose to do, you must always do you best to gain the most from the experience. I believe that to get the most out of live, you have to put the most in that you can.
I will be a student the university will be proud of ; I will study hard and commit to the course work. Also, I will join clubs, discussion groups and sports teams, to become an active student on campus. When I am not on the campus, I will behave in a manner that will reflect the good values of the university, thereby being a loyal and cautious representative. Therefore, please consider my application, knowing the enthusiasm, desire and professionalism I will bring to the course and to the university.
