Individual training and practical guidance for solicitors qualifying exam ‘QLTS OSCE’

Our goal at OSCEsmart is to help you get smart about the exam, so that you can pass it. We have learned that even last-minute training and other helpful tips, may have a positive and decisive impact. In other words, we can help you to obtain your best results.

We aim to provide high quality individually tailored services and have a limited number of places available. Therefore, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. The grounds may cover the legal knowledge and the required standard of character and suitability and other relevant aspects.

Our Advantages

• We narrow the focus to the QLTS OSCE only;
• We incorporate first-hand experience of passing the OSCE;
• Our approach is pragmatic and practical;
• We provide an individually tailored training plan with full feedback;
• We offer concise video lectures, notes, and online mock exams similar to the exam conditions; and
• We offer very reasonable price

Our Values

• For us you are not clients but colleagues
• Technology is good, but it will never substitute individual feedback
• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone

• Handle a client interview and prepare an attendance note or case analysis;

• Deliver an oral client presentation or advocacy, within the courts;

• Conduct legal research and complete a record sheet;

• Write letters, memoranda, emails, and other documents to the clients or colleagues; and

• Draft legal documents and complete different forms.

The above skills will be assessed in five practice areas: business, property, probate, civil litigation, and criminal litigation. The law also covers your substantive law knowledge from MCT or LLB/GDL e.g. contract, tort, trust, criminal law, administrative and constitutional law, professional conduct etc.

Preparation to OSCE should consist of 2 stages: study the actual law and develop your legal skills.

Theory/law:

• Concise video lectures covering key issues you should know, learn, and memorize in order to succeed. Accessible from PC, tablet or smartphone;   
• Short printable notes in a table format;
• Further reading guidance: LPC books, manuals, online resources, and case law;
• Five Online Seminar Group Sessions (OSGSs): one per each practice area, purported to develop practical skills for application of the law to the facts; and
• Reasonable support with your questions and inquiries.

Practice/Skills

• Concise video lectures on Interview, Advocacy and Presentation, Legal Research and Writing and Drafting;
• Attachments providing further guidance, instructions, and samples of different documents e.g. attendance note and case analysis, research record sheet, sample drafting materials, research record sheet, research, drafting and writing mock questions; and   
• Individual online trainings (mock exams): Interview, Advocacy and Presentation, Legal Writing, Drafting and Research followed by feedback. This will help you: understand your readiness then revise accordingly, get acquainted with the process and the procedure of the exam, and ultimately develop your own approach to handling it. We expect you to submit Attendance Notes no later than 24 hours after the interview.

Timescale

• 12-6 months - start reading, based on individual learning abilities, objectives, and availability. Please note: for LPC graduates it will take considerably less time. Useful links: OSCE Books And Manuals. To be individually assessed, please complete this survey;

• After you have completed reading each practice area, we arranges for a client interview to check on your knowledge

• At least 3 months before the OSCE - schedule the main block mock exams, taking into account your individual needs and workload.

• 2-2.5. months before the OSCE (March/Sep) - start your OSGSs and prepare for the Interview (Attendance Note and Case Analysis), Advocacy and Presentation and Legal Research

£60 –  An online Mock Client Interview with one-to-one mock client feedback based on the SRA and QLTS Kaplan marking criteria and outcomes

£110 – A handwritten Attendance Note or Case Analysis as a follow-up to a Mock Client Interview, individually marked up and provided with commentaries

£35 – A typed suggested answer without individual marking as a follow-up to a Mock Client Interview

£110 – A letter of advice (Legal Writing) either a separate mock stations or as a follow-up to a Mock Client Interview, individually marked up and provided with commentaries. 

£110 –  An online Mock Advocacy/Presentation session with one-to-one mock client feedback based on the SRA and QLTS Kaplan marking criteria and outcomes

£110 –  An online Legal Research exercise with tailored feedback and tips, as well as marked up record sheet

There are three categories of QLTS OSCE candidates:

1. Those who sit for the first time

2. Resitters
3. LPC graduates

We understand the expenses involved and your individual needs for QLTS OSCE prep. It is essential to identify your weaknesses in order to maximise your future performance and happy to help with that.

The application consists out of 2 elements:

1. Completed QLTS - Exemption from the MCT application form

2. Additional docs requested by SRA:

   • Copy of the LPC certificates and transcripts;

   • Certificate of your domestic qualification; and

   • Certificate of good standing issued by your bar:

a. confirmed date of admission (details of the decision); and

b. any matters that affect your standing as a lawyer, e.g. personal characteristics including professional conduct.

For more information and the forms please see http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts/apply.page

OSCE Preparation

Due to your LPC experience, it should be much easier for you to prepare. LPC is a big advantage, compared to other OSCE candidates. However, please keep in mind that OSCE goes beyond the scopes of  LPC, plus there could have been substantial developments in the law since you graduated. How OSCE is different from LPC:

• We estimate that around 20% of law is beyond the LPC; and

• Standard of the skills is of junior solicitor (2 years of training contract), not a trainee solicitor.

• OSCE has its own exam specifics and techniques.

We understand the expenses involved, LPC fees and your individual needs for QLTS OSCE prep. So, in order to cover the above differences, we suggest you proceed with our Study Group package in order to cover additional 20%, and our cheapest skill Package A ‘Practice’, to top up your skills and develop exam techniques.

LPC Package

• 5 Mock Interviews + Attendance Notes/Case Analysis (3 handwritten or typed individually marked + suggested answer and 2 only given suggested answer); and

• 3 Mock Advocacy/Presentation stations

• ‘Study group’

  • 5 sets of lectures: Business, Property; Probate; Civil and Criminal Litigation;

  • Skills lectures: Drafting, Writing, Research, Interview and Advocacy

  • Short drafting and writing case studies in 5 practice areas with mock stations and suggested answers for self-assessment

  • 10 research mock stations and suggested answers for self-assessment

  • 5 seminars OSGSs on application of the law to factual scenarios: one per practice area;

  • Group facilities: Facebook Group; Google Class; and

  • Dedicated tutor: Assistance with individual study plan; reasonable support with your questions and inquiries; assistance with finding a study partner

LPC Graduate’s Special Offer:

LPC Package: £1000 

Eligibility: The package is competitive and limited maximum to two places per exam

Grounds: LPC transcript