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Other Opportunities

Not all solicitors work in private practice. It is possible for solicitors to work as in-house legal advisers to a commercial or industrial organisation, to a government department or a local authority. The largest employer of lawyers in England and Wales is the Crown Prosecution Service, which advises the police about prosecution and prosecutes cases in the courts. Other opportunities include the Magistrates' Courts Service, law centres, charities, voluntary organisations and even the armed services. Many qualified solicitors, therefore, are in the enviable position of choosing when and how they work and the kind of work they wish to do.

The qualification is also recognised as a route of entry to wider business careers. The skills learnt whilst on a law degree and on the Legal Practice Course, enable students to be flexible. Most want to go into the solicitor's profession, but some will branch out into other areas, which require the range of techniques that you can gain with a legal background. It is important that you are aware of the alternatives at each stage on the route to qualification, and once you are qualified, as this will keep your career options flexible.

How to Qualify - Studying Law

The quickest and most common route to qualification is by means of a qualifying law degree and a list of institutions offering them can be found on this site. It does not matter which subjects you take at GCSE level (although employers will look for communication and numeracy skills), but you will need a good academic record, as competition for places is strong. You should aim for three 'A' Levels or equivalent, in any academic subject of your choice, and you should obtain good grades.

If you decide to take a degree in a subject other than law, you will have to complete a one-year full-time (or two years part-time) course leading to the Common Professional Examination or the post-graduate Diploma in Law. These courses are offered at a number of institutions, but you should aim for a good class of degree, as competition for places is intense. A good lower second-class degree (IIii) is required by most firms and many demand an upper second or first class degree. The course will give you the basic grounding in law, which you need to qualify as a solicitor.

After successful completion of the law degree, or CPE, or Diploma in Law, you will have to undertake the Legal Practice Course, which is the professional training for solicitors. This course takes one academic year, or two years if studying law part-time. Again, competition for a place on the LPC is very tough. Good academic grades are essential. The course teaches the practical application of the law to the needs of clients, and is offered by a number of different colleges and universities.

Having successfully completed the Legal Practice Course, you will enter a two-year training contract with a firm of solicitors or other approved organisation (such as a local authority or the Crown Prosecution Service), gaining practical experience in a variety of areas of law. At this stage, you will be paid a salary and will be a trainee solicitor. It is important that you arrange a training contract as early as possible. You can begin to apply in the final year of your degree.

Legal Executives

For those who do not wish to take a degree, it is possible to qualify as a solicitor by obtaining employment in a legal office, joining the Institute of Legal Executives and taking the examinations to qualify as a member and subsequently a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. This can be a stepping-stone to qualifying as a solicitor.

The process is lengthy, demanding and academically difficult, but enables the non-graduate to qualify as a solicitor. Further information about this, and a career as a legal executive, can be obtained from the Institute of Legal Executives: www.ilex.org.uk/

International Legal Practice

Some firms of solicitors have branch offices in major financial and commercial centres throughout the world, which advise local clients about English law. Others have formed associations with firms of lawyers in other countries and the two firms will work together to help clients. English commercial law has developed over centuries, to the extent that it is often the governing law in international contracts, even when the case has no connection with England and Wales. Solicitors also benefit from historical ties between this country and other English speaking countries.

The European Community

The single market is of great significance to solicitors and many firms have established offices in Brussels and other European centres. It is possible for an English solicitor to work for the European Commission in Brussels. It is therefore becoming increasingly useful for a solicitor to have language skills.