Careers Advisory Service: Careers In the Law Advice
Once I complete my Law Degree, then what?
During the Second year of your Law Degree you will need to decide whether you wish to train as a Solicitor or a Barrister. There are many different areas of work within each field, and you should research these thoroughly before making your decision.
You will either progress to the Legal Practice Course, which is available 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. This is followed by 2 years under a training contract with a firm of Solicitors or another approved legal employer, (or up to 4 years part time, this is rare only 62 were offered in August 2005, according to Law Society Figures). You will then be fully qualified as a Solicitor. The exception to the above route is the Part –Time Study Training Contract whereby a student combines study with a full time relevant legal job. This option allows you to start your training contract at the same time as the LPC with the possibility of fully qualifying as a Solicitor in 4 years. To date, according to The College of Law, the majority of individuals who have completed this route have been employed already in a job role recognised by the Law Society, the most common being Paralegal/Legal Executive/Legal Secretary.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is currently running a work based learning pilot. The purpose is to provide more flexibility in the work based route to qualification as a solicitor. Those on the current 2009 pilot include part time and full time paralegals who are LPC qualified. The SRA are aiming for a full roll out across England and Wales by 2011 although this is not guaranteed. If the roll out does occur, it will be possible to qualify as a solicitor doing paralegal work which is deemed of the same standard as a trainee solicitor.
Alternatively you study for the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) which as of September 2010 will be renamed Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) which is a 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time course. Once you have successfully completed the BVC (BPTC) you will be Called to the Bar by your Inn. You will also have to undertake twelve qualifying sessions (previously known as "dining") before Call to the Bar. See the BPTC section on the BSB website for full information on the Vocational Stage. From here you spend 12 months or more in an authorized pupillage training organization (either barristers' chambers or another approved legal environment). See the Pupillage section on the BSB website for further information.The first 6 months are non-practising, the second 6 months are practising. You are then qualified to practise as a Barrister in Chambers or another Bar Council approved legal environment. Some trainees will complete a third 6 months to gain further experience, in the event of being unsuccessful in gaining tenancy. A Third 6 pupillage may be unpaid but Chambers rental fees may be waived.
What do I need to consider before choosing a Law Career?With a Law Degree a wide range of alternative graduate careers are available to you (speak to your Careers Adviser for further advice). The legal profession is vastly over-subscribed so there is no guarantee of a job at the end of your professional training. There are limited sources of funding and these are very competitive. If you need to self-fund, this can cost you up to £14,150 for fees alone. Large Firms of Solicitors and Chambers of Barristers usually require a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree plus very good ‘A’ level results before your application will even be considered.
Paid summer/Easter/Winter vacation schemes in a Solicitor’s, is now often part of the recruitment process for Training Contracts. These positions are highly competitive to secure. In the current economic climate apply as soon as possible after the opening date. Although some Durham law students are successful, you may have more success obtaining an unpaid placement in a smaller solicitors firm. Mini-pupillages with Barristers Chambers will be un-paid also.
So what steps do I need to take and when?
During the Second year of your Law Degree you will need to decide whether you wish to train as a Solicitor or a Barrister. There are many different areas of work within each field, and you should research these thoroughly before making your decision.
You will either progress to the Legal Practice Course, which is available 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. This is followed by 2 years under a training contract with a firm of Solicitors or another approved legal employer, (or up to 4 years part time, this is rare only 62 were offered in August 2005, according to Law Society Figures). You will then be fully qualified as a Solicitor. The exception to the above route is the Part –Time Study Training Contract whereby a student combines study with a full time relevant legal job. This option allows you to start your training contract at the same time as the LPC with the possibility of fully qualifying as a Solicitor in 4 years. To date, according to The College of Law, the majority of individuals who have completed this route have been employed already in a job role recognised by the Law Society, the most common being Paralegal/Legal Executive/Legal Secretary.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is currently running a work based learning pilot. The purpose is to provide more flexibility in the work based route to qualification as a solicitor. Those on the current 2009 pilot include part time and full time paralegals who are LPC qualified. The SRA are aiming for a full roll out across England and Wales by 2011 although this is not guaranteed. If the roll out does occur, it will be possible to qualify as a solicitor doing paralegal work which is deemed of the same standard as a trainee solicitor.
Alternatively you study for the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) which as of September 2010 will be renamed Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) which is a 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time course. Once you have successfully completed the BVC (BPTC) you will be Called to the Bar by your Inn. You will also have to undertake twelve qualifying sessions (previously known as "dining") before Call to the Bar. See the BPTC section on the BSB website for full information on the Vocational Stage. From here you spend 12 months or more in an authorized pupillage training organization (either barristers' chambers or another approved legal environment). See the Pupillage section on the BSB website for further information.The first 6 months are non-practising, the second 6 months are practising. You are then qualified to practise as a Barrister in Chambers or another Bar Council approved legal environment. Some trainees will complete a third 6 months to gain further experience, in the event of being unsuccessful in gaining tenancy. A Third 6 pupillage may be unpaid but Chambers rental fees may be waived.
What do I need to consider before choosing a Law Career?With a Law Degree a wide range of alternative graduate careers are available to you (speak to your Careers Adviser for further advice). The legal profession is vastly over-subscribed so there is no guarantee of a job at the end of your professional training. There are limited sources of funding and these are very competitive. If you need to self-fund, this can cost you up to £14,150 for fees alone. Large Firms of Solicitors and Chambers of Barristers usually require a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree plus very good ‘A’ level results before your application will even be considered.
Paid summer/Easter/Winter vacation schemes in a Solicitor’s, is now often part of the recruitment process for Training Contracts. These positions are highly competitive to secure. In the current economic climate apply as soon as possible after the opening date. Although some Durham law students are successful, you may have more success obtaining an unpaid placement in a smaller solicitors firm. Mini-pupillages with Barristers Chambers will be un-paid also.
So what steps do I need to take and when?
First Year
• Join the student Law Society, Mooting Society or both.
• Join the student Law Society, Mooting Society or both.
• Attend the University Law Fair in November.
• Obtain relevant work experience through mini-pupillages, court visits and with firms of solicitors. Use your time at University to further develop your personal and communication skills e.g. through debating, mooting and public speaking.
• Achieve as good exam results as possible as they are looked at by recruiters from your first year.
• Consider joining 1 of the 4 Inns of Court, for information and networking purposes.
Second Year
Michaelmas Term
Second Year
Michaelmas Term
• Attend presentations and Law Fair in the University.
• Achieve as good exam results as possible because these will be looked at by future employers.
• Achieve as good exam results as possible because these will be looked at by future employers.
• Attend application techniques training sessions run by the Careers Advisory Service.
• Collect brochures and applications forms for vacation placement and also Training Contracts.
• Between early October and Mid November, apply for Christmas vacation schemes. Deadlines vary between these dates depending on firms you are applying to.
• Apply for Easter vacation placements from early October.
Epiphany Term
Epiphany Term
• Apply early for mini-pupillages. Apply for vacation work schemes (most deadlines 31st January). Some firms allocate their places as good applicants apply, rather than waiting until after the closing date.
• Attend pupillage fairs and apply for those chambers who recruit for pupillages 2 years in advance.
Easter Term
Easter Term
• Apply for solicitors Training Contracts when you have your exam results.
• Interviews will be held in September.
• Research sources of funding.
Final Year of Undergraduate Degree
Michaelmas Term
Final Year of Undergraduate Degree
Michaelmas Term
If you want to be a Solicitor:-
• Apply for a place on the Legal Practice Course
• Apply on-line at www.lawcabs.ac.uk
If you want to be a Barrister:-
If you want to be a Barrister:-
• Apply for the BPTC (open November, close early January) via BPTC Online Application System.
• Join an Inn of Court (compulsory before commencing the BPTC).
• Apply for an Inn of court Scholarship for the BPTC (1st week of November).
Epiphany Term
Epiphany Term
• Apply for membership of the Law Society
• Attend pupillage fairs • Apply for mini-pupillages
• Apply for maximum 12 pupillages for:-
• Summer season between mid-March and May 1st at www.pupillageportal.com
• See www.pupillageportal.com for details of all OLPAS and non-OLPAS vacancies
Easter Term
Apply for pupillages via one on-line application through Clearing round at www.pupillageportal.com by early October.
Sources of Information at the Careers Advisory ServiceLaw Folders in the Careers Advisory Service Information Room, are an excellent source of information, including specialisms, training, application tips and securing a position. Reference Books and Magazines: (copies of many of these are available to take away at the Careers Advisory Service) Prospects Focus on Law Target Jobs Work Experience Law
GTI Law Journal The Training Contract & Pupillages Handbook Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession Legal 500 Solicitors Regional Directories The Pupillages Handbook Law Society Gazette The Lawyer
Easter Term
Apply for pupillages via one on-line application through Clearing round at www.pupillageportal.com by early October.
Sources of Information at the Careers Advisory ServiceLaw Folders in the Careers Advisory Service Information Room, are an excellent source of information, including specialisms, training, application tips and securing a position. Reference Books and Magazines: (copies of many of these are available to take away at the Careers Advisory Service) Prospects Focus on Law Target Jobs Work Experience Law
GTI Law Journal The Training Contract & Pupillages Handbook Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession Legal 500 Solicitors Regional Directories The Pupillages Handbook Law Society Gazette The Lawyer
