Solicitors and BarristersSolicitors and Barristers

Solicitors Give advice and assistance on matters of law.

They are usually the first point of contact for members of the public, companies etc. Seeking legal advice and representation

Solicitors can work in private practice, for central or local government or in-house in a commercial or industrial organisation

SolicitorsSolicitors

Solicitors will need, amongst others, the following skills: -

Organisational skills in order to deal with large workloads

Ability to work as part of a team Good interpersonal skills for dealing with and

retaining clients Negotiation skills when dealing with opponents. Commercial awareness – in order to understand

client’s needs

BarristersBarristers Barristers are self-employed and usually work

within Chambers, but can work as employed Barristers in-house or for public organisations, such as the Government Legal Service, Crown Prosecution Service etc

Barristers provide advice on legal issues and are specialist advocates, representing individuals/Companies in Court. Barristers are often instructed by Solicitors to provide an opinion/advice, draft Court documents and provide representation at Court hearings

BarristersBarristers

Barristers will need the following skills: -

Good advocacy skills Drafting skills Negotiation skills Ability to work independently

Qualification ProcessQualification ProcessNon-Law Graduates

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)Available full-time (1 year) or part time/distance learning (18 months – 2 years)

  

Legal Practice Course (LPC) Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)(1 year full-time) (1 year full-time)

 

 Training Contract (2 years) Pupillage (1 year)

(6 months shadowing, 6 months practising)

  

Solicitor Barrister 

Graduate Diploma in Law Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)(GDL)

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a course non-law graduates can take to enable them to undertake the LPC or BPTC

The course is available at various institutions full-time (1 year) or part-time/distance learning (18 months to 2 years)

An alternative to the GDL is a Graduate LLB, which covers additional areas of law than the GDL and is a longer 2 year course. The additional areas may assist in practice but are not essential

Structure of the GDLStructure of the GDL The GDL covers an introduction to the English Legal

System and the 7 core subjects of an LLB: -

1. Criminal Law2. Tort3. Contract4. Property Law5. Equity and Trusts6. Public Law7. European Union Law

3 hour exam paper is usually taken within each subject

GDL Application ProcessGDL Application Process

Application for the full-time GDL is via Central Applications Board : -

www.lawcabs.ac.ukDeadline for entry in 2010 -2011was 1 February 2010

but application may still be considered until mid-April

Part-time applications are usually made directly to provider and often have later deadlines

List of institutions offering the GDL is available on the Central Applications Board website

Course Fees and FinanceCourse Fees and Finance Cost of the GDL varies from institution and mode of study

e.g. full-time, part-time Ranges from approx £3950 to £8730 for full-time courses

Sponsorships may be available from some law firms/Chambers if a training contract/pupillage offer is made

Education Grants Advisory Service Professional Loans Local Authority grants – see relevant local authority Law Society Bursary Scheme/Inns of Court Scholarships

LPC and BPTC FeesLPC and BPTC Fees

Fees can vary from institution to institution and approximate fees are currently between £7500 to £12,500 for the LPC

Fee range for the BPTC range from approx £11,300 to £ 15,000

(See previous slide for funding information)

Preparation/Work ExperiencePreparation/Work ExperienceVacation Placements

Many firms offer funded vacation placements (particularly large firms), but application deadlines can often be up to 1 year in advance. You will need to check the individual websites of the firm(s) you are interested in

General Work ExperienceSome smaller firms may provide non-funded work experience if you write in with a copy of

your CV. A good time to write in is nearer the summer when support staff will be on holiday

Mini-pupillagesBarrister’s Chambers offer “mini-pupillages” which involves approx 1 week shadowing a

Barrister in Chambers. Applications are made directly to Chambers. You will need to check each Chamber’s policy and application deadlines on their websites

Some training contract and pupillage applications need to be made 2 years in advance, so you will need to start making applications as soon as possible.

Useful Websites/ResourcesUseful Websites/ResourcesLaw Careers.net – Website provides information on the Solicitor

and Barrister job roles, application processes, courses and immediate vacancies available www.lawcareers.net

Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook www.tcph.co.ukHandbook are often available from the Careers Service, together with relevant publications.

Law Society Gazette – for up to date law news and jobswww.lawgazette.co.uk

BAILII – British and Irish Legal Information Institute. Free access to database of legislation and case law www.bailii.org

Alternative Practice Alternative Practice Options/CareersOptions/Careers

Crown Prosecution Service HMCS – Legal Clerk In-house practice Local Government Lawyers Government Legal Service

ParalegalOutdoor ClerkAcademic

Patent Attorney – Charted Institute of Patent Attorneyswww.cipa.org.uk