My OperaHonesty Is The Best Policy, says Tej Kohli
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 11:28:25 AM
Tej Kohli law career blog throws up occasional little questions we receive from law students, aspiring solicitors and barristers who need some advice of their way to become a successful lawyer.
Recently, a trainee solicitor posted a question which forced me to post a reply on the Tej Kohli law career blog. This guy is due to qualify in a few months from now, but he confessed to the HR manager that lied in his training contract interview, however, he didn't specify what he lied about. Although he got the training contract, his senior partner does not know about the lie and he's worried about getting caught, and being disqualified.
He admits: “It was stupid but looking for TCs for 3 years sent me a bit crazy.” So that’s ok then.
Or is it? Perhaps I’m being soft but it’s difficult not to be even a little sympathetic in such horrendously difficult times for aspiring solicitors – although I’m surprised this guy was offered a TC in the first place, once he’d admitting to lying. And it is a very serious issue which many do not grasp.
As the competition is getting fierce, the temptation to lie in applications, CVs and interviews is huge. But the student who gives in to that temptation should not expect to get away with it. And he or she who succeeds in securing a TC on the basis, in whole or in part, of a lie, has deprived an honest applicant of a training place.
And all aspiring solicitors, this guy included, should bear in mind that when they apply to the SRA to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors on qualifying, they are particularly required to reveal anything that may impact on their suitability to be a solicitor. This includes lying in interviews to secure a TC.
Lying in the application process at any stage precludes the person responsible from having the character suitable to being a solicitor.
Tej Kohli legal help blog is a place where aspiring solicitors will find answers to all their law related issues. To ask Tej Kohli any question, please post them in the comments.
Recently, a trainee solicitor posted a question which forced me to post a reply on the Tej Kohli law career blog. This guy is due to qualify in a few months from now, but he confessed to the HR manager that lied in his training contract interview, however, he didn't specify what he lied about. Although he got the training contract, his senior partner does not know about the lie and he's worried about getting caught, and being disqualified.
He admits: “It was stupid but looking for TCs for 3 years sent me a bit crazy.” So that’s ok then.
Or is it? Perhaps I’m being soft but it’s difficult not to be even a little sympathetic in such horrendously difficult times for aspiring solicitors – although I’m surprised this guy was offered a TC in the first place, once he’d admitting to lying. And it is a very serious issue which many do not grasp.
As the competition is getting fierce, the temptation to lie in applications, CVs and interviews is huge. But the student who gives in to that temptation should not expect to get away with it. And he or she who succeeds in securing a TC on the basis, in whole or in part, of a lie, has deprived an honest applicant of a training place.
And all aspiring solicitors, this guy included, should bear in mind that when they apply to the SRA to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors on qualifying, they are particularly required to reveal anything that may impact on their suitability to be a solicitor. This includes lying in interviews to secure a TC.
Lying in the application process at any stage precludes the person responsible from having the character suitable to being a solicitor.
Tej Kohli legal help blog is a place where aspiring solicitors will find answers to all their law related issues. To ask Tej Kohli any question, please post them in the comments.
