LAW SECTOR INSIGHT

HOW TO BECOME A LAWYER:

Therearedifferentwaystobecomealawyer,althoughallinvolve achieving a number of specific degree-level qualifications and professionaltraining.

TheUniversitypathway:

Becoming a lawyer via the university route requires you to complete a qualifying undergraduate Law degree (LLB) before taking a Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) - currently more usually referred to as the GraduateDiplomainLaw(GDL)andLegalPracticeCourse(LPC)

If you applying to study Law at undergraduate level, most UK universities willaskyoutocompleteanadditionalexaminYear13beforemakingany courseapplications,calledtheLNAT(LawNationalAptitudeTest)

It is also accepted practice to study a non-law undergraduate degree in recognisedsubjectsatundergraduatelevel(egHistory,Philosophy,Politics, English, International Relations) and then embark on a one year law conversion course (PGDL - postgraduate diploma in Law) or an MA Law Conversion)beforesittingtheprofessionalexams

ThenextstepontheSQErouteistocompletetwoyearsofqualifyinglegal workexperience,whichcanincludeatrainingcontract,beforepassingthe SolicitorsRegulationAuthority(SRA)characterandsuitabilityrequirements Youcanthenapplyforadmissiontotherollofsolicitors

TheApprenticeshippathway:

It is also possible to complete a Solicitor Apprenticeship, which is a six-year, Level 7 programme aimed at A-level school leavers, paralegals and chartered legal executives On this pathway, you still get a degree qualification in Law, but you study this alongside real paid work in a law practice, and your employer will pay for all the university tuition fees. Find out more about law apprenticeships

FIND OUT MORE:

The Lawyer Portal LawCareers net

Guide to Careers in Law

Want to find out more? Watch a short film about how to become a lawyer, and the difference between a solicitor and a barrister

Becoming a barrister:

To become a barrister in England and Wales you need to complete at least three stages or components of training These include the academic component (law degree), vocational component (a Bar course, previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)) and pupillage also known as the work-based learning component After completing all training components you'll be ready to apply for tenancy as a self-employed barrister in chambers or go into practice as an employed barrister.