"I understand there have already been some posts published concerning the importance of A-level grades, but my situation is rather unique, so do hear me out.

"I am a mature student set to start an LLB at a good Russell Group uni. I have already achieved a 1st class degree at the same uni in another subject, before which I spent two years working for military intelligence.

"However, I am worried that when I apply for a TC my application will just be chucked aside before it is even looked at properly due to my A-level grades of ACC. To complicate matters further, they are not UK A-levels. They are also called 'A-levels', however, and are usually regarded in the job market as directly comparable.

"How flexible are the 'minimum requirements' that so many law firms set out? Judging by the FAQs often posted on firm recruitment websites, most of them seem unwilling to budge on A-level requirements.

"I'd like to hear from people who have had first-hand experience of recruitment at top law firms. Are they really that inflexible when it comes to A-levels? The few success stories of people missing the minimum criteria always seem to be people with good A-levels but poor degrees, and not the other way round…"