How do I become a solicitor or barrister?
In order to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, there are three main steps: the academic stage of training, the vocational stage; and a training contract or pupillage. However, given the expense involved in training to become a solicitor or barrister, and the high number of people seeking qualification compared to the positions available, you should give careful consideration before pursuing a career in law. Having said that, if you do choose to go down this route, then it can lead to a challenging and rewarding career.
The academic stage of training
The first stage for those seeking to qualify as a solicitor or barrister is known as the academic stage of training. This requires the completion of a recognised undergraduate law degree (usually three years); or an acceptable undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law, followed by the successful completion of a conversion course, such as the Common Professional Examination or Graduate Diploma in Law. The conversion courses are usually for the duration of one year.
For a list of institutions that provide Qualifying Law Degrees, please see the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) website.
Vocational stage
If the academic stage of training is successfully completed, the next part of training is the vocational stage.
If you are seeking qualification as a solicitor, the vocational stage will involve the completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which is one year long (if completed on a full-time basis). This will involve a more practical application of the law in an academic context.
LPC fees are high and the chances of obtaining a training contract afterwards are uncertain; therefore, you may wish to consider trying to secure a training contract before commencing the LPC. Some law firms who have offered students training contracts upon the completion of the academic and vocational stages of their training will sponsor them to complete the LPC, thus enabling them to avoid the hefty costs involved.
The SRA has a list of LPC providers.
If you are seeking qualification as a barrister, the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) constitutes the vocational part of training (previously the Bar Vocational Course). The full-time course is also one year long. For a list of BPTC providers, please see the Bar Standards Board website.
Training contract and pupillage
The final stage of the route to qualification as a solicitor or barrister will involve either the completion of a two-year training contract in a law firm, or a one-year pupillage (for barristers). Competition for training contracts and pupillages are very intense, so you should try to gain as much relevant work experience as possible whilst you are completing the other stages of training and be sure that you are suited to a career as a solicitor or barrister.
As part of your training contract, you should gain good experience of practising in at least three different areas of law. During this time, you must also complete the Professional Skills Course. Upon the successful completion of your training contract, you will qualify as a solicitor.
To qualify as a barrister, you need to complete a pupillage, whereby you will gain practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. You will spend the second six months of the pupillage practising and if you complete this successfully, you will become a qualified barrister.
- Source:
- FindLaw
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