Considering a career in law? There’s more than one way you can qualify to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales – even if you have a degree in a subject other than law, or you don’t have a degree at all, there could still be a route into the legal profession.
Whether you’re looking at working for a local legal firm, or would like to go to a larger practice, here are the routes you can take to qualify as a solicitor…
Legal apprenticeship
Legal apprentices will be able to qualify as paralegals, legal executives, or even solicitors, through a mixture of on and off the job training with a paid employer.
Although this appears to be a fast-track course, it is just as rigorously assessed and as intensive as any other route into the legal profession.
Apprentices will undertake classroom and work-based learning: they’ll be assessed on the job and through timed examinations in designated assessment centres.
Qualifying without a law degree
If you have a degree, but not one in law, there are two ways you can complete the academic stage of your legal training:
- Join the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
- Take the Common Professional Examination (CPE)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
If you work in a legal office, you could join the CILEx, the governing body for chartered legal executives. The minimum entry requirement is four GCSEs, including English, or equivalent, but this is by no means an easy option – it takes a long time to qualify, is academically intensive and you’ll need to pass examinations to qualify as a member and then as a fellow.
There is little room for error, as you’ll have to enter and maintain CILEx-approved legal employment throughout your studies.
Common Professional Examination (CPE)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
Another way to get on the legal ladder, if you don’t have a degree, is to complete the academic stage of your legal training via CPE/GDL courses. To get on either of these courses you’ll need to have a vocational qualification or be a mature student.
Qualifying with a law degree
In order for a degree to be classed as a ‘qualifying law degree’ it must have had its conditions set out by the Bar council and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) – go to the SRA website to find a list of institutions offering qualifying law degrees.
With a law degree under your belt, you can then move on to the vocational stage of your training, including the Legal Practice Course and a period of recognised training.
Completing the Legal Practice Course
Completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) is a vital part of your vocational training and is designed to prepare you for life as a practising solicitor.
While the LPC must be completed before you can practice as a solicitor in England and Wales, you can exempt yourself from all or both of Stage 1 or Stage 2 by applying to the SRA and providing evidence you’ve previously gained the relevant knowledge and skills required.
Getting your recognised training
Once you’ve completed your LPC you’ll need to work as a trainee in a solicitors’ office, legal firm or another organisation that’s authorised to take on trainees.
Training lasts for two years, but can be reduced if you’ve previously completed suitable training that offered relevant experience in the legal profession.
Passing the Professional Skills Course is the final hurdle to overcome – this will require you undertake the equivalent of 12-days full-time attendance to build on the vocational training acquired as part of the LPC.
Once that’s done, you can finally start practising as a fully qualified solicitor.
Want to qualify as a solicitor? What route are you considering? Let us know in the comments below!
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