WHAT IS A SOLICITOR APPRENTICESHIP?

ARTICLE

WHAT IS A SOLICITOR APPRENTICESHIP?

When I was 16, I knew that I wanted to become a solicitor, but I didn’t want to go to university. The thought of attending university full time just didn’t appeal to me. The reality is that not everyone wants to or can afford to go to university. Whilst preparing my UCAS applications during my A-levels, I heard about a new apprenticeship route that allows a person to qualify as a solicitor whilst working within a law firm.

The first solicitor apprenticeships started in 2016. The following year, I secured a solicitor apprenticeship role at my firm, FBC Manby Bowdler, who have championed legal apprenticeships right from the very start.

The most common question I get asked is ‘What is a solicitor apprenticeship?’.

Today, there are various apprenticeships available that allow a person to qualify as a solicitor. There are graduate entry apprenticeships for students who have already completed their law degree, or law conversion course, who can then start a 30-month programme (2 and a half years) to qualification.

The original solicitor apprenticeship, which I enrolled on, is a six-year course. A student works within a firm or company and is allowed 20% ‘off the job’ study time. For the first 5 years of the apprenticeship, a student works towards an LLB Law Degree and prepares a portfolio of qualifying work experience relating to the SRA competencies. For the final year, all apprentices will prepare and sit the Solicitor Qualifying Exams. Unlike when I tried to research the course at its inception 5 years ago, there is now a lot of information about solicitor apprenticeships on university pages and the SRA website. At the end of an apprenticeship, solicitor apprentices will have the same qualifications and title as a solicitor, who qualified via the ‘traditional’ route, but this is achieved in the same timeframe whilst gaining invaluable on the job experience. There is also the added benefit of no student debt and a salary whilst you train.

I am now 8 months from qualification, and I feel the apprenticeship has equipped me extremely well for life as a newly qualified solicitor. The apprenticeship offers flexibility, as there is opportunity to work in different departments throughout the course, before becoming specialised in one area. By qualification, I will have spent five years working in FBC Manby Bowdler’s family department, much longer than any trainee solicitor would spend in the department before qualification. I have learnt about opening and running my own files and I have been involved with factually and legally complex matters. It is an opportunity to earn whilst you learn, removing the expense of training and the cost of taking exams.

For employers, it allows a business to introduce new career pathways and diversify talent pools, opening the door to people from all academic and social backgrounds. Even magic circle firms are now recognising the benefits of solicitor apprenticeships. Allen & Overy were the first Magic Circle firm to embrace the scheme and recently recruited six apprentices in September 2022 and others are now following.

Of course, this route to law is not for everyone. It is an intense and demanding course as well as a big commitment to juggle work and study, but it is such a rewarding challenge. If your mind is set on a career in law, just as mine was, this is a great alternative route to law that is being embraced by the legal profession with opportunities increasing each year. 

Chloe Turner

Chloe Turner