THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HOW TO GET INTO IT

The slides from this presentation are available atwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

Career paths in the legal professionProfessional training courses and funding

Who employs lawyers?What to do and when to do it

SOME CAREER PATHS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

• Solicitor• Barrister• Legal executive• Paralegal• Licensed conveyancer

For more detail on these and other roles in law, see the Legal Sector Briefing at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/LegalSB

MAKING DECISIONS

Both require:• Proven intellectual ability• Excellent communication skills• Analytical skills• Organisational skills• Commercial awareness• Determination and commitment

Solicitor or barrister?

WHAT DO SOLICITORS DO?

• Work directly with clients to advise them on a wide range of legal matters

• Prepare cases – researching, drafting, liaising with other parties in the case, etc

• Attend court, and may represent clients in court

WHO EMPLOYS SOLICITORS?• Law firms – employ 76% of practising

solicitors)– Large international firms – Large UK-focused firms– National/regional firms– Specialist (“niche”) firms– “High Street” firms

• In-house legal departments in:– Business and finance (9%)– The public and voluntary sectors (12%)

THE SOLICITORS’ PROFESSION – SOME

STATISTICS• 108,407 practising solicitors• 42% of these work in London

(where 27% of firms are located)• 43% of practising solicitors are

women• 9.5% of practising solicitors are

from ethnic minority groups

WHAT DO BARRISTERS DO?

• Independent specialist legal advisers and advocates

• The majority are self-employed but work together in sets of chambers

• Others are employed in solicitors’ firms, business and public sector organisations

• Need outstanding all-round communication and intellectual skills

THE BARRISTERS’ PROFESSION – SOME

STATISTICS• 15,030 practising barristers• 80% of these are self-employed• 66% men; 34% women; 11% from

ethnic minorities• Approximately two-thirds of

barristers are based in London

WHAT THE SOLICITORS PROFESSION OFFERS

• A more structured career path• Greater security• Greater support, including continuing

professional training• Greater involvement with clientsand demands• Commitment to a firm and its culture• Team working skills• Sociability; adaptability; willingness to conform

WHAT THE BAR OFFERS

• Greater independence• More opportunity for advocacy• Varietyand demands …• Greater personal confidence• A willingness to take risks• High-level presentational skills• Flexibility and tolerance of stress

MAKING DECISIONS• Talk to practising solicitors and/or

barristers• Get work experience• Use law careers publications and

websites• Use the Careers Advisory Service!

BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER

LPC

BVCCALLTO THEBAR

TRAINING CONTRACT

PUPILLAGE

QUALIFY

TENANCY

ASSISTANTSOLICITOR

LAW DEGREE

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Solicitors

Barristers

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PROFESSIONAL LAW COURSES

• Legal Practice Course/Bar Vocational Course• Skills-focused: preparation for practice• Coursework, practical assessments and written

exams• Last for one academic year • Available throughout England & Wales• Must have the 7 exemption subjects for entry• Apply at the beginning of your final year• Fees range from approx. £6700 to £14000

THE LEGAL PRACTICE COURSE

Stage One• 3 core practice areas (compulsory):

– Business law and practice; Litigation (civil & criminal); Property law and practice

• Conduct & Regulation (including accounts)

• An overview of Wills & Tax• Skills

– Research; Writing; Drafting; Advocacy; – Interviewing & Advising

Stage Two• 3 vocational electives

THE BAR VOCATIONAL COURSE

• Seven core skills (60% of the course)– Legal research; Fact management; Opinion

writing; Drafting; Conference skills; Negotiation; Advocacy

• Three “knowledge areas”– Civil Litigation; Criminal Litigation; Evidence

• Background and Pervasive subjects– Professional Ethics; Human Rights; Accounts

and Revenue; Business Associations

• Options

HOW DO STUDENTS FUND THEIR LAW COURSES?

Funding Source LPC BVC

Self/Parents 38% 40%

Sponsorships 26% -

Inns' Scholarships - 28%

Loans 32% 26%

Grants/Bursaries 3% 6%

OTHER ROUTES INTO LAW

• Legal Executive• Paralegal• Licensed Conveyancer• Notary

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

• Working hard and aiming for a good degree!• Thinking about your options• Researching different careers and

employers• Thinking about what you have to offer• Starting to apply for vacation work

experience• Noting deadlines for training contract,

pupillage and course applications

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

Career planning guides for:• Potential solicitors• Potential barristers• The undecided

can be downloaded in Word format from the “Career Planning Timetable” for law students at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/law.htm#timetable

USEFUL INFORMATION SOURCES

• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htm

• Target Law/Target Work Experience Law• The Training Contract & Pupillage

Handbook• Prospects Law• Lawyer 2B magazine

ANY QUESTIONS?