The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law 2017

Apprenticeships

You don’t have to go to university to start a career in the legal profession – a legal apprenticeship provides the opportunity to gain qualifications while in paid work, through on-the-job training at a law firm. It’s important to note that university tuition and maintenance loans are available and you don’t have to start paying them back until you are in a job paying at least £21,000 a year, so high fees should not necessarily put you off higher education, but there are many reasons why you might decide that going to university is not right for you and a legal apprenticeship is a genuine alternative. To become a legal apprentice, you must be 16 or over, not in full-time education and a UK citizen/someone who has right of residency in the United Kingdom. You must also not be a university graduate. You don’t have to pay toward the cost of an apprenticeship yourself – you will be fully funded by the government if you are under 19, with your employer picking up a proportion of the cost after that. The minimum wage for a legal apprentice is £3.40 an hour for people aged under 19, as well as for people aged over 19 who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. All other apprentices over the age of 19 are entitled to the National MinimumWage – CILEx Law School reports that the average payment for apprentices is £170 a week, but “most employers in the legal services sector pay above that rate”. There are currently three separate levels of legal apprenticeship, run by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) in conjunction with law firms. Level 2 intermediate apprenticeship in legal administration Earn and learn This apprenticeship is designed for school leavers, taking a minimum of one year to complete. It includes learning about the English legal system and skills-based practical training in workplace administration. For those who

gained lower than a C in GCSE English, maths and ICT, the apprenticeship also includes teaching to ensure competence in these subjects. However, it is likely that most law firms will take on apprentices who already have five A*-C grades at GCSE.

Level 3 advanced apprenticeship in legal services

This apprenticeship delivers paralegal competence in five areas of legal practice. It is suitable for school leavers with good A Levels, or as a progression route from Level 2. Level 3 takes 18-24 months to complete and apprentices choose a practice area to specialise in. From September 2016, it will be replaced by the Trailblazer Paralegal Apprenticeship (details on opposite page).

Level 4 higher apprenticeship in legal services

Level 4 is suitable for apprentices who have already completed the CILEx Level 3 qualification or equivalent. Apprentices once again choose a specialism and gain a CILEx Level 4 Diploma in that area.

Trailblazer Solicitor Apprenticeship

From September 2016, it will be possible to complete a Trailblazer Solicitor Apprenticeship. This is a six-year programme while employed at a law firm that will lead to qualification as a solicitor. Apprentices will gain a law degree, as well as skills in law and legal practice, commerciality and professional conduct. If you are considering applying for an apprenticeship, you can start your search for the right employer on LawCareers.Net’s apprenticeship board.