Rachel J. Roche

In 2014, I set up Roche Legal, a bespoke private client legal services firm. We advise on a range of private client legal issues, such as Wills, Powers of Attorney (Lasting Powers & registration of Enduring Powers), Administration of Estates, Grants of Probate, Trusts and taxation, elderly client legal matters, and  more.

If there is anything that we can help you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch on [email protected]

And there we have it, year 2012/13 have graduated! Well done everyone!

Our graduation ceremony was held on the 26th June at the main Sorbonne building where I was awarded a “mention assez bien” and then I was whisked away by my lovely friend Sandra to our favourite sushi restaurant for dinner and a catch up before my departure. After dinner we went to our favourite cappuccino place in St Michel and then before we knew it, it was 1am and time to get the last metr...

On Thursday the 18th April, I was lucking enough, as a newly accepted member of the Franco-British Lawyers Society (or l’Associaton des Juristes Franco-Britanniques), to be invited to dine with other members and guests at the private residence of Sir Peter Ricketts, the UK Ambassador to France.

This had been a highlight in my diary as I have been eager to meet other people who have a similar interest in all things French and British - and who also enjoy a complimentary gl...

This weekend is Adam’s birthday which is very exciting! We are going to be meeting up in London to celebrate with a trip to the theatre to see the Mousetrap. With the snow gone, there should be no delays on the Eurostar and a few short hours after our ‘droit de l’entreprise’ class, I will be there! It will be a nice couple of days out from all studies and a chance to recharge.

Our next exam is the contract law exam on the 5th February…..

I am not freaking out, I am not freaking out..! hehe. I’m fairly calm, the suitcase has been wrestled downstairs and is nearly packed and I just have a few last minute chores to do like clean the fridge and vacuum (all very exciting) before I am ready to leave in the morning! My friend Charlotte is coming round tonight for dinner and I have managed to see loads of the girls over the last week or so which has been great! We had a bit of a get-together with about 12 of us friends last wee...

It’s now only 2 weeks to go before the start of the year at the Sorbonne. After what seems like quite a while since I embarked on my application to get there, it’s now only a matter of days before I actually start! I am slightly nervous, but very much excited! It’s mine and Adam’s last day in Cheltenham together today as he flies to Oman in the early hours tomorrow and by the time he returns, I will be gone. We spent the day chilling out at home in the morning with ho...

This morning I received confirmation that I have passed my most recent Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) thesis which is just brilliant news! The topic was on making gifts out of income for inheritance tax purposes. I have one more thesis to write (and pass) and then I will become a fully qualified member of STEP. I will tackle that when I have finished my course and work placement at La Sorbonne.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is the leading worldw...

What a cool few days it has been! The opening ceremony to the Olympics, which Adam and I watched online, was utterly bonkers, but it didn’t stop us watching the whole thing right up until nearly 1am! (How many countries are there in the world? It was like a geography lesson when they were introducing everyone! In fact, I’m going to Google that in a minute).There were certainly some really memorable moments. For me, the Queen jumping out of a plane (as I believe I had previously pr...

Summer is here for sure! It’s glorious outside and about time too. Just in time for the Olympics and we may take a road trip to London one day to get a load of the atmosphere. I’ve had two brilliant French lessons this week already with Anne. She is working me hard on grammar which is what I need. Lots of committing-to-memory to be done over the next week before my next lesson, although when I don’t think so much about conjugating my verbs, I’m actually better at it! S...

Summer is finally here in what has otherwise been a dreary and grey UK. Walking into town to hunt for luggage whilst making the most of the sunshine, I am pleased to advise that I have finally bought what can only be described as 'the mother of all suitcases'. A huge purple thing which is about the size of a mini caravan. As some random guy pointed out to me in the street whilst I was wheeling it home, I could actually fit myself in it!

Adam is away at the moment with work a...

For those of you wondering where I found my French teachers, the school is called Parlons Francais in Cheltenham and I highly recommend them. 

Cut and paste this link to your browser for more information - www.parlons-francais.co.uk

Parlons Français is run by Sophie Franklin, a French national with a wide experience of teaching to adults at all levels, secondary school students ('A' level and GCSE) and young children.Teaching locations includ...

We had French conversation club this evening and it was lovely to see Sophie and the two Annes who have helped me with my French over the course of the last 12 months or so. I also owe them a huge thank you for helping me with my application to La Sorbonne. I honestly think that without them I would not have been in the running for a place at all... merci, merci, merci.  I should have taken some photos to post on the blog this evening. I need to start getting used to brandishin...

So, it’s the final day of work and it certainly went off with a bang! 

Anyway, the prospect of not doing the ‘daily grind’ for a few weeks feels positively freeing. I've never been in this position before, much like a lot of people I know, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I am not beholden to the 9-5 any longer and it's amazing. Never being one to sit still for more than 5 minutes, it’s going to be a busy few weeks ahead, but with t...

It is now only six weeks to go before I depart. I am very excited and have already starting scouring the shops and internet to find the perfect suitcase! 

Currently working my notice period at work, I can't help but get distracted by the thought of what I will be doing in just a few weeks' time. All the formalities have been sorted, my timetable for the first week has arrived and I'm all set! 

My friend Becky and I will be visiting Paris at the be...