Solicitors Timeline
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Timetable for qualifying as a solicitor
The route to qualifying as a solicitor can be broken down into three parts. The academic stage covers your degree and/or conversion course. This is followed by the vocational stage, which covers the year-long Legal Practice Course (LPC). The final part is two years of work-based learning, known as the training contract.
School/sixth form college
- Aim to get A grades in at least three academic A-levels. Try to get some work experience in the legal sector, for example at your local solicitors’ firm.
- Apply to university.
- Sign up for the Lawyer2B.com Editor’s Weekly for must-read careers advice and all the latest news and features on the events shaping the legal market.
University: first-year law students
- Join your university student law society, as it will be a valuable source of careers-related information.
- Get involved in mooting and debating. Participate in pro bono activities (it is becoming increasingly common for universities to run pro bono clinics, but if your university doesn’t have one, why not set one up?).
- Look into other useful law and non-law-related work experience.
- Enjoy yourself, but do not forget that law firms will ask for your first-year grades when you apply for vacation schemes in your second year.
- Visit Lawyer2B.com and read Lawyer 2B (you can pick up copies from your law school or careers library).
University: second-year law students/final year non-law students
In the autumn term:
- Research the types of firms you want to apply to for a training contract.
- Attend university law fairs and individual firm presentations. Your student law society and/or the careers library should have full details of these. Look on Lawyer2B.com for advice on how to get the most out of law fairs.
- Start working on a draft CV.
- Research and apply for Christmas and Easter vacation placements.
During the Christmas vacation and spring term:
- Research and apply for summer vacation placements.
- Look at attending law firm open days.
- If you are a non-law student, then you need to start thinking about applying for the Graduate Diploma in Law.
In the summer:
- Take part in summer vacation schemes. If you have been unable to secure any, then undertake other work experience in the commercial arena.
- Apply for training contracts (most application deadlines come at the end of July).
- Attend interviews and assessment days.
- Keep visiting Lawyer2B.com for tips on how to get through the application process.
- Remember, law firms are not allowed to offer you a training contract until 1 September.
University: final year law students or conversion year students
- Pull out all the stops for your exams. You will likely need a stellar academic record to break in to the legal profession.
- Apply for a place on the LPC.
- Investigate alternative sources of funding for the LPC if the firm you will be joining as a trainee does not itself offer sponsorship.
- Enrol as a student member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, otherwise you will not be able to begin the LPC.
- Obtain a certificate for the completion of the academic stage of your legal training.
Training contract
- You are now ensconced in a genuine law firm for the next two years as a trainee solicitor. Firms are not obliged to retain you once you complete your training contract, so do all you can to impress. But if the firm is not for you, qualify and move on to pastures new.
Qualification
You will be admitted to the roll. Well done, you are now a fully fledged solicitor. Congratulations!
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But do you know what working as a lawyer actually involves? And are you sure of the steps you have to take to qualify as a solicitor or barrister?
Readers' comments (11)
Dr Alan Blacker | 25-Jun-2009 3:56 pm
If you are disabled do all of these steps two years earlier than above, you will need the extra time to spend searching for placements and a training contract; consider joining Ilex and get time served as a trainee made up in exemption time against your contract. A disabled lawyer myself, don't allow anyone to get in your way, make time for recouperation after exams and book holidays well in advance and take them.
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Celeste | 20-Jul-2009 5:04 pm
What if I decide to apply for training contracts on my third year is it possible? Will I loose my chances of getting a contract?
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Anonymous | 20-Jul-2009 7:44 pm
I would like some advice about getting a training contract that also provided LPC fees.
I attend a University in London studying an LLB , but am getting a 2.2 and every contract require A 2.1
I understand law well but my marks do not show my ability.
Are all jobs taken purely on academic records ? If I get an interview , I am sure that I can be a valuable asset
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Anonymous | 19-Aug-2009 8:06 am
What about Ilex, could you incorporate this route in this timeline please?
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Stephen Wood, Solicitor, Northamptonshire | 30-Aug-2009 5:33 pm
At a time when many of the larger firms of solicitors are deferring training contracts and many smaller firms simply aren't offering training contracts at all, an approach to possibly consider is to undertake the BVC and then complete the Qualified Lawyer Transfer Test. Two years equivalent to a training contract would need to be worked before being admitted as a solicitor but firms are often keener to offer this, as unlike formal training contracts, firms are not restricted in the number of such positions they can offer and do not have to pay for the additional courses required during formal training contracts. BVC experience, perhaps combined with some Employment Tribunal experience through the Free Representation Unit, can make an impressive application to a firm of solicitors.
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Anonymous | 27-Apr-2010 11:35 pm
To Stephen Wood
1. The BVC is more costly than the LPC.
2. Law firms do not rate people coming through shall we say non tradtional routes. Cross transferring from Barrister to solicitor will be seen as "Did not make it at the bar".
3. Similarly people who qualify in NY post their LLB and then do the QLTT to qualify in England and Wales bypassing LPC training contract PSC etc... think again - not rated by law firms.
4. FRU experience Employment or Social Security Tribunals - great advocacy experience and possibly great for the CV if you want to do into one of these areas as a solicitor.
At the end of the day law firms are conservative creatures (despite mantra to the contrary re diversity) and they look at (i) where you trained, (ii) the seats you completed (if an NQ) and (iii) the experience you have gained post qulaification at similarly ranked firms.
For the City the ranking is Magic Circle, Silver Circle, small-mid size. US firms (becuase of pay) seem to rank with Magic Circle.
It is easier to move form Magic Circle downwards but not the other way around.
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Debbie | 17-Aug-2010 9:27 am
I did Law Degree whilst working full time as a paralegal. Then converted to ILEX. By-passed training contract and can now apply for fellowship. After two years as a fellow, can then do LPC without need for training contract if I wish. Have found this a good route as it provides real experience of how the law works which is completely different to the academia! Allows you to bypass training contract and earn money.
Paralegals are of benefit to all size law firms and in today's economic climate perhaps more cost effective!
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Dr Alan Blacker | 30-Sep-2010 0:47 am
Paralegals are useful but should not be used to do work traditionally set aside for trainees or pupils, this view is supported by the judiciary and is one reason why TC's are difficult to find as para's do work reserved for trainees.
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Anonymous | 8-Jan-2011 8:44 pm
I believe i will get AAB for my a levels, but the article kind of suggests only those with three As have a chance. Give up?
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Anonymous | 5-Apr-2011 1:04 am
I am a student applying to study Law in the UK this year. However, would I be at a serious disadvantage if I get an AAB instead of an AAA (consider that I am doing 5.5. A Levels instead of the usual 3)?
Furthermore, I am planning on studying LLB Law with Management instead of pure Law - would this be beneficial as I come with legal skills PLUS commercial/business awareness?
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