HOW TO QUALIFY AS A LAWYER

How to Qualify as a Solicitor

If you wish to qualify as a solicitor you need to gain ‘A’ levels (or equivalent) and gain a degree. There are no ‘A’ level subjects (or equivalent) which are preferable to any others except for the fact that General Studies is not usually counted as part of the points system required for University entrance. You can study any subject not necessarily law at degree level and many solicitors have not read law at university.

Once you have a degree you will need to study the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) if you are a non-law graduate. This can be studied over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. All law graduates go straight onto the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Non-law graduates join this course on completion on the GDL. The LPC takes 1 year full time or 2 years part-time. For further information see: http://www.college-of-law.co.uk/

After completion of the LPC you will have to undertake a 2 year training contract in a law firm, local authority or the Crown Prosecution Service. You will experience at least 3 areas of legal practice including one litigation area.

Training contracts are competitive and many law firms recruit 2 years in advance. Interviews and assessment centres are held in the September 2 years prior to joining a firm. Applications generally have to be made by July of the year in which the interview/assessment centre takes place. You will have to check with each firm as to their application criteria including deadlines and application forms. Training contracts are generally 2 years in length. Those who have been paralegals before entering a training contract may request for their firm to treat the time prior to entering into the training contract as part of the 2 year period. Trainees who study part time have to complete 4 years of a training contract before qualification. During the training contract all trainees have to compete a compulsory professional skills course which introduces them to further aspects of a legal practice such as client care, advocacy and accounts. There is one examination in accounts but the other subjects are assessed by attendance at the relevant session.

For further information:

The Law Society - http://www.lawsociety.org.uk
The College of Law - http://www.college-of-law.co.uk
Ways to Qualify as a Solicitor chart

How to Qualify as a Legal Executive

Most legal executives work for a law firm or legal department in a local authority or company prior to studying to become a legal executive. You may join as a legal secretary or as an administrative clerk. You can study the legal executive or Ilex examinations by attending college in the evening or taking a distance learning course whilst working. In some instances your employer will pay for your course.
The ILEX Professional Qualification in Law is divided into Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law (PDL) and Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (PHDL).

Level 3 PDL provides a broad introduction to law and legal practice and subjects are set at a standard comparable to A level. Level 6 PHDL allows for specialist study of three substantive law papers and one practice subject, selected to match the individual student's work in the office. Level 6 PHDL papers are set at degree level; and Level 6 PHDL practice papers are set at a standard designed to identify those who have the ability to become expert practitioners in their specialist field.
Once these 2 levels have been completed (each should take 2 years) you will become a fully qualified Legal Executive. You can then proceed to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) if you wish to become a solicitor and also undertake a training contract unless you become a Fellow (see below)

In order to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives you must:

		be 25 years of age; and
		be a Member of the Institute of Legal Executives and
		have completed five years qualifying legal experience, of which two years must have been completed after attaining Membership status.

If you are a Fellow and have passed the GDL and LPC you do not have to undertake a training contract and can become a solicitor as soon as you complete the core elements of the professional skills course. Click here for the section on Ways to Qualify as a Solicitor.

For further information:

The Institute of Legal Executives - http://www.ilex.org.uk
Ways to Qualify as a Solicitor/Legal Executive chart

How to Qualify as a Barrister

If you wish to become a barrister you will need ‘A’ levels or equivalent and a degree, not necessarily in law. There is no specific requirement as to the subjects you should study at ‘A’ level. If you select to study a non-law degree, you will then need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) followed by the Bar Vocational Course (BVC). If you study a law degree, upon completion you will then undertake the BVC. The BVC is 1 year in duration full time or 2 years part-time. To apply to complete the BVC there is an online application system at http://www.bvconline.co.uk.

On completion of the BVC and having attended 12 qualifying sessions at an Inns of Court you can be ‘called to the bar’. There are 4 Inns of Court, all in London and it is tradition that you join one of these. Previously you had to dine at your chosen Inn in order to qualify but you now have to attend certain educational events or dinners.

After being called to the bar, the next step is to complete a pupillage which is a 12 month training period. Pupillage applications are made online at http://www.pupillages.com. The initial 6 months is spent shadowing an experienced barrister and the final 6 months you may take on work on your own. Some will spend the full 12 months with one chambers where other pupils may spend the year split between two chambers. Legal experience at other organisations may qualify. The majority of pupillages are completed on a full-time basis as the Bar Council regulation states that you should work a minimum of 35 hours per week however exceptional circumstances may be considered.

For further information:

The Bar Council - http://www.barcouncil.org.uk
The College of Law - http://www.college-of-law.co.uk
Ways to Qualify as a Barrister chart