A Quickguide on How To Become a Solicitor
Friday, 26 March 2010 07:34 | 
Written by Sarah Jones |
Many new law firms in the UK are opening on a daily basis as it expands its dominance in Europe and internationally. The UK's legal market is already large and is increasing in size on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming a solicitor in the United Kingdom but do not have a law degree you can still do so. In fact, only about 50% of solicitors actually have a law degree. The rest have non-law degrees and/or transferred from a different career.
Many new law firms in the UK are opening on a daily basis as it expands its dominance in Europe and internationally. The UK's legal market is already large and is increasing in size on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming a solicitor in the United Kingdom but do not have a law degree you can still do so. In fact, only about 50% of solicitors actually have a law degree. The rest have non-law degrees and/or transferred from a different career.
For anyone with a non-law degree there is an extra academic step to be taken when compared to those who do a law degree. Non-law students must do a law conversion course in the form of the Graduate Diploma in Law or the Common Professional Exam. This is a one year full-time course, or two year part-time course, which brings non-law students up to a similar knowledge base as those who have studied a law degree.
After completing a law degree or a law conversion course students then undertake the Legal Practice Course, which was created to equip trainee solicitors with the ability to practice law in the UK. It takes a year to complete the Legal Practice Course if attended full time and two years if attended part time. This is the final course trainee solicitors must attend before starting their training contract.
Finally students must complete their training contract before becoming a qualified UK solicitor. This is where trainees will get their hands-on practical work experience as well as complete the Professional Skills Course. The format of each training contract will depend on the type and size of firm trainees work with. If trainees are looking for a more structured environment they will usually want to apply to the larger firms.
Guidelines set by the Law Society state that law firms have to appoint a training principal is responsible for overseeing the work done by trainee solicitors. Training principals are also available to answer any and all questions, give guidance, and give feedback. They also must keep records to ensure trainees meet all of the Law Society's requirements during their training contract.
Many trainee solicitors will rotate through different departments within a firm while completing their training contract. The Law Society stipulates that trainee solicitors must work in at least three different areas of work, both contentious and non-contentious, during their training contract.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority are looking at new ways in which solicitors will be trained in the UK including merging the legal studies and practical work training to a greater extent
In order to be chosen for a training contract, trainee solicitors just have to complete an application at the law firm of their choosing. Other criteria to be met or documents to be included in the application will depend on the individual law firm. It is vitally important that students remain in good scholastic standing in order for their training contract application to be approved at the law firm they choose.
Many new law firms in the UK are opening on a daily basis as it expands its dominance in Europe and internationally. The UK's legal market is already large and is increasing in size on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming a solicitor in the United Kingdom but do not have a law degree you can still do so. In fact, only about 50% of solicitors actually have a law degree. The rest have non-law degrees and/or transferred from a different career.
For anyone with a non-law degree there is an extra academic step to be taken when compared to those who do a law degree. Non-law students must do a law conversion course in the form of the Graduate Diploma in Law or the Common Professional Exam. This is a one year full-time course, or two year part-time course, which brings non-law students up to a similar knowledge base as those who have studied a law degree.
After completing a law degree or a law conversion course students then undertake the Legal Practice Course, which was created to equip trainee solicitors with the ability to practice law in the UK. It takes a year to complete the Legal Practice Course if attended full time and two years if attended part time. This is the final course trainee solicitors must attend before starting their training contract.
Finally students must complete their training contract before becoming a qualified UK solicitor. This is where trainees will get their hands-on practical work experience as well as complete the Professional Skills Course. The format of each training contract will depend on the type and size of firm trainees work with. If trainees are looking for a more structured environment they will usually want to apply to the larger firms.
Guidelines set by the Law Society state that law firms have to appoint a training principal is responsible for overseeing the work done by trainee solicitors. Training principals are also available to answer any and all questions, give guidance, and give feedback. They also must keep records to ensure trainees meet all of the Law Society's requirements during their training contract.
Many trainee solicitors will rotate through different departments within a firm while completing their training contract. The Law Society stipulates that trainee solicitors must work in at least three different areas of work, both contentious and non-contentious, during their training contract.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority are looking at new ways in which solicitors will be trained in the UK including merging the legal studies and practical work training to a greater extent
In order to be chosen for a training contract, trainee solicitors just have to complete an application at the law firm of their choosing. Other criteria to be met or documents to be included in the application will depend on the individual law firm. It is vitally important that students remain in good scholastic standing in order for their training contract application to be approved at the law firm they choose.
About the Author:
Information and resources for students considering becoming a solicitor. For more information the necessary career path of a solicitor click here: Become a Solicitor.
