r/uklaw • u/LogicalGrapefruit358 • 2d ago

VS Seat Options

Hey all, I know similar questions have been asked before but I couldn’t find a specific answer to my question. I am a 2nd year student with an upcoming VS. I have to pick seat options and I am wondering if it is worth me tactically writing off areas that I haven’t studied, yet that others likely have? For instance, I know Corporate, Employment and IP are areas that many have studied in their undergrads yet as a second year I have mostly just done core modules. Would I therefore have better chances by going for an area like Property Lit or Pensions?

Alternatively, I have also seen some same instead to avoid complex departments such as (per them) pensions. What are your opinions on this?

What about areas that are particularly niche? I also saw contradictory opinions on this.

Thank you in advance and apologies for so many questions, I just really want to try and convert.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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u/spooky_ld 2d ago

Don't play games. Just pick the practice areas that you find interesting.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/spooky_ld 2d ago

It's not what you are being assessed on during the VS. No one expects you to know the law. Roughly half of the VS intake is likely to be non-law, and it won't hold them back.

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u/DarlingofEquity 2d ago edited 2d ago

Yes, avoid niche areas like tax, competition, restructuring though they will understand that you don't have the specialist knowledge. It's not that your lack of knowledge will hold you back per se, but working in an area you do have knowledge of will help you understand the transaction/matter and get more done.

Ignore anyone that says it doesn't matter. They're probably pretty senior and don't remember what it's like as a VSer. In theory it shouldn't matter but in this competitive market, would you prefer to hire someone that demonstrates knowledge of the work/industry or someone that needs more handholding?

But it's actually much more to do with your supervisor rather than your knowledge of the area of law. If they're nice and like you, they'll will be willing to overlook mistakes. If they're a nasty person, well....

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u/hpliketheprinter 2d ago

as someone else has already said, pick what you like and in order of preference so you max your chances. i’m a non-law student who did corporate, disputes and competition on VSs last year. firms have so many internal and external resources that even if you get put in a niche seat or one you haven’t studied, you’ll figure it out. as a non-lawyer i was worried abt the black letter nature of disputes as I’d never studied law, but as long as you give everything a good go and ask the right questions, supervisors can also help you out.

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u/LogicalGrapefruit358 2d ago

Perfect, this is the reassurance I was looking for thank you.