How to get a career in law

Law is a reputable and long-standing profession and if you want to work in the field there are a number of different jobs available to you. If you are interested in working in this profession, it’s worth taking some time to explore the different opportunities available and decide what suits you most. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to decide on how best to pursue your chosen career path. Find out more below…

Job titles in law and yearly salaries

With information provided by Prospects and the National Careers Service, we’ve given you an insight into the roles of Solicitors and Barristers, including their responsibilities, salaries and the skills and experience needed to start these careers…

Solicitor

Solicitors have clients who they advise on legal matters, as well as acting on their behalf as part of their role. Solicitors can represent individual clients, private or public sector organisations or groups of people.

Solicitors advise and represent clients on a number of issues, including personal issues like property, family matters and wills and probate as well as commercial issues such as mergers and acquisitions or disputes.

Salary range: £25,000 to £100,000 average per year

Job roles and responsibilities…

Working with clients:

• Following their instruction
• Advising on legal issues
• Maintaining correspondence
• Representing the client in disputes and at court
• Calculating claim and compensation figures
• Producing client documentation such as letters and contracts, and preparations for court
• Doing research and analysis around cases to provide the right advice
• Coordinating work between different parties
• Making checks throughout documents and signing-off final versions
• Continually keeping up to date with developments in law

Solicitors work in a number of different areas, including private practice, local and central government, court services, commerce and industry and the not-for profit sector.

Qualifications to become a solicitor

A qualifying law degree, such as a Bachelor of Laws is the first step. You can find a list of providers here.

For degrees in a subject other than law, a conversion course needs to be taken. This can either be a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or a Common Professional Examination (CPE).

LPC: After a qualifying law degree, the next step is the Legal Practice Course. Usually taken full time over a year, this is a practical course to get the right experience and training for the job.

Period of Recognised Training: After the LPC, a Period of Recognised Training must be completed – working as a trainee solicitor. During this time, Professional Skills Course (PSC) needs to be completed.

If you don’t have a degree, or would like to become a solicitor without one, you can become a Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). There are also opportunities to take on a solicitors apprenticeship or take on-the-job legal training or a degree.

Barrister

Barristers represent individuals or organisations in court and offer specialist and independent legal advice for their clients. Barristers also advise solicitors and are hired by solicitors to represent a case in court.

Barristers tend to specialise, whether it’s in commercial, criminal or common law, amongst others.

Salary range: £25,000 to £100,000 average per year

Job roles and responsibilities…

• Working with clients case briefs and their requirements
• Offering legal representation
• Preparing cases for court
• Meeting with clients
• Analysing documentation
• Preparing legal documents
• Presenting cases in court
• Addressing the judge and jury
• Cross-examining witnesses
• Summing up cases
• Negotiating out-of-court settlements
• Taking instruction from solicitors
• Working on further legal research depending on the case
• Drafting legal documents

Qualifications to become a barrister

A qualifying law degree, such as a Bachelor of Laws is the first step. You can find a list of providers here.

• For degrees in a subject other than law, a conversion course needs to be taken. This can either be a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or a Common Professional Examination (CPE).
• Pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) test, which assesses critical thinking and reasoning needed for the role as a barrister.
• Undertake a Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).

Following this is practical training called ‘pupillage’.

Although we’ve been able to give you insight into two roles in law – and how you acquire them – there are many other career paths in law you can take. Here are just a few (of many) other examples:

Legal secretary – Providing administrative support for legal executives and lawyers, you’ll deal with client accounts, working with confidential information and producing legal documents like court forms, statements and wills and keeping records. You’ll need good organisational, word processing and communication skills.

Legal executive – Likely to specialise in one type of law, such as probate, criminal law or family law, legal executives’ roles will depend on their specialism. They will advise their clients on legal issues, acting on the client’s behalf when required, as well as researching and preparing documents.

Paralegal – Paralegals, also known as legal assistants and contracts assistants, are responsible for preparing research and legal documents, handling caseloads and advising clients. Paralegals can work for law firms, private businesses or the public sector. If you’re considering this, you’ll need to be able to digest and communicate complicated information – and be very organised.

Licenced conveyancer – Conveyancers work with all legal and financial aspects of buying and selling a property – working across both domestic and commercial properties. Duties include drafting contracts, liaising with lenders, agents and clients and facilitating the transfer of payments. To qualify, a higher-level qualification in Law is important.

*This article was written with advice provided by Northumbria University. Information also taken from nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk and http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/working-in-industry/1973/a-career-in-law.