At the outset, I'm not sure where this view that there is an over-supply of lawyers comes from, as it's contrary to what my experience and what appears to be the case in the market generally.
The universities don't just keep cranking up the number of law places without reference to what is actually going on in the profession (although it is financially beneficial for them to do so given the low cost of delivery of the degree). There is a constant consultation between universities and the profession as to what the state of play is (and I have spoken to the people who do this).
Basically the situation is that the universities are concerned that they are putting out too many graduates, but the message from the profession is that, for a number of reasons, this is not the case.
A large proportion of graduates not making it to market (for a variety of reasons), the strong economy, existing lawyers ceasing to practice (going in-house, retiring, changing careers etc), overseas-bound practitioners, all mean that the market for new lawyers is still quite strong.
I mean, look at the amount of cash that newly qualified, 1 PAE, 2 PAE etc lawyers can demand. You just don't get that kind of cash being thrown at people where there is no demand for their skills.
Article clerk/trainee-solicitor positions are becoming more difficult to come by as the national admission proceedures come into place, but doing college of law/other uni PLT courses seems to be the way the system is headed except for all but the biggest firms.
In my opinion, a law graduate who can't find a job as a lawyer is either:
1. Not looking hard enough;
2. Not looking in the right places;
3. Has a preference for an area where the demand is not so high and is being too picky;
4. Hasn't taken the initiative to go an do a PLT course of their own accord;
5. Presents badly at interviews; or
6. Simply isn't cut out to be a lawyer.
Oh. And note that having a GPA of 4 or even worse is not included in the above list. While I'm not denying that that is going to stop you from getting a top tier graduate job, most of the partners who interview you in other parts of town most likely failed a couple of subjects themselves and are much less pre-occupied with such things.
On a related issue - there seems to be an opinion around this board that if you don't get that top tier graduate position then its the end of the world and a drastic re-think of what to do after uni is necessary. Can I suggest to anyone that isn't cemented in that view that you do a number of things.
First, think about whether that top-tier path actually is what you really want, or whether that's what you think you want simply because you have the marks to do it and it seems to be what everyone else is doing. If it is, then great; do the clerkships, apply for the positions, do the interviews, it's all great experience.
But if this isn't what you want, or you don't get that grad position at blakes, don't think it's the end of the world. As you know, there are a lot of other options. Consider them. You may end up a lot happier (and perhaps even get home before 7pm sometimes).
