If you are weighing up whether to go to university or move straight into your career with an apprenticeship after finishing your GCSEs or A levels, The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2019 is here to help.
The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2019
Earn and learn your way to a career in law
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Five key things to know about a legal apprenticeship
You don’t need a university degree: you progress straight from your GCSEs or A levels to your apprenticeship.
You earn while you learn: you receive a salary while working as an apprentice,at the same time as studying.
You can apply for an apprenticeship via LawCareers.Net: we have a comprehensive and searchable jobs board in ‘The Law Apprenticeships Guide’ section of www.lawcareers.net.
You can work in a law firm, private company or local government: many different types of organisation take on legal apprentices.
You will qualify as a legal executive, paralegal or solicitor: having completed the necessary requirements in terms of study and work, you will qualify as one of the above.
Learn more about all the above in the rest of the guide.
Welcome
If you are weighing up whether to go to university or move straight into your career with an apprenticeship after finishing your GCSEs or A levels, The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2019 is here to help. Don’t worry if you have no prior knowledge of law or apprenticeships – we have assumed that you have questions which need answering before you decide your next step. What is a law apprenticeship? A law apprenticeship combines paid work and training at a law firm with part-time study for professional qualifications. It is an alternative path to going to university that offers the same career destinations, but avoids the expensive fees. How do I decide whether a law apprenticeship is for me? This guide helps you to: • compare university and apprenticeship paths to enable you to easily appreciate what each has to offer; • consider the different types of apprenticeship and where they lead; • gain an understanding of what it’s like to work as a legal apprentice; • check that you have the key skills needed to become a legal apprentice; and • find out about current vacancies via the LawCareers.Net legal apprenticeships jobs board. Where can I find out more? Go to www.lawcareers.net – you will find a thriving jobs board where apprenticeship vacancies are frequently posted, as well as detailed information on apprenticeships and every other possible career path offered by the UK legal profession. As a long-time advocate of work-based training, we are delighted to now be offering vocational training through the government-backed Trailblazer solicitor apprenticeship scheme. In addition to opening up the profession to a pipeline of diverse talent put off by the cost of full-time academic study, it enables us to integrate future lawyers into our business at a much earlier stage and provide a tailored experience. Danielle White, graduate recruitment and development manager, Mayer Brown LLP
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Apprenticeship v university
University is the right path for some people because it offers the chance to study an interesting subject in detail and gain a valuable qualification that opens up career options. University can also be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, filled with opportunities for getting involved in new things and meeting life-long friends. On the other hand, an apprenticeship offers a more direct path to those same career options, without the costs of going to university or the same intense competition for places. Apprenticeships are also perfect for people who are not keen on more full-time study after finishing their A levels and are eager to get out there and kick-start their careers.
It is important to remember that in the legal profession, you can have the same career whether you choose university or an apprenticeship, which means that your choice is not so much about where you end up, but how you get there – some apprenticeships even involve gaining a university degree. Law apprenticeships lead to three possible careers – solicitor, legal executive or paralegal, all of which are also available if you choose to go to university. The key differences between these three roles is discussed in more detail on pages 4 and 5 in ‘Career paths’, while the table below explains some of the key differences between the apprenticeship and university routes themselves.
Apprenticeship
University
Qualifications
Professional qualifications to become a paralegal, legal executive or solicitor. Completing the solicitor apprenticeship also involves gaining a law degree.
A university degree in one of hundreds of possible subjects which is widely recognised but does not include professional qualifications. For law, a university degree in any subject makes you eligible for the postgraduate professional courses you need to complete to become a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal.
Apprenticeship
University
Cost
None to the apprentice – the costs of apprenticeships are covered by the government and employers, while apprentices themselves are paid at least the apprentices’ National Minimum Wage.
With tuition fees standing at over
£9,000 a year and living costs on top of that, many students leave university in tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of debt.
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Apprenticeship
University
Duration
Eighteen months for the intermediate apprenticeship, 24-30 months for the paralegal apprenticeship and six years for the solicitor apprenticeship.
Undergraduate university degrees usually last three to four years.
Apprenticeship
University
Work experience
Full-time work in a law firm or the legal department of another company or organisation.
Optional work placements and internships – students interested in law should apply for work experience at law firms.
Apprenticeship
University
Social life
As an apprentice working and studying full time, you may miss out on some of the social opportunities that come with going to university, such as the chance to meet new friends among students your age from all over the world, participate in memorable extracurricular activities and enjoy the party and music scenes which are part of the university experience. However, offices often have great socialising cultures too, with plenty of activities to get involved with, and you are bound to make new friends as you meet people at the firm.
The opportunities for socialising at university are fantastic. From the societies covering everything from political debating to cheerleading, to inexpensive union nights and house parties, to the thriving music and arts scenes at most universities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Apprenticeship
University
Career prospects
The ultimate destination for law apprentices and university graduates is the same – a career as a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal.
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Apprenticeship career paths
GCSE
A level
Intermediate apprenticeship
Paralegal apprenticeship
Paralegal
Solicitor apprenticeship
Chartered legal executive apprenticeship
Solicitor
Legal executive
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also integrates a law degree, which is obtained at the end of the fourth year. Apprentices learn law and legal practice alongside gaining competence in legal skills, commercial skills and professional conduct. Paralegal Paralegals have traditionally worked alongside solicitors in law firms as support staff, although in practice many paralegals do the same work as their trainee or newly-qualified solicitor counterparts – although this is almost always for lower pay. Whether you become a paralegal through an apprenticeship or secure a job as a paralegal after graduating from university, it is possible to progress onto qualifying as a solicitor, legal executive or a more senior paralegal role. CILEx chartered legal executive A legal executive is another type of lawyer who is trained to specialise as an expert in one particular area of law. Within that area of law, the job of a legal executive is very similar to that of a solicitor – legal executives advise clients, draft documents and conduct research to find solutions to problems. Solicitor Solicitors provide advice and assistance on legal matters. They are the first point of contact for people and organisations (eg, companies and charities) seeking legal advice and representation. Solicitors may work in very different areas of law, but the fundamentals of the job remain largely the same. These include meeting and advising clients on their legal problems, doing legal research to find solutions, drafting important documents such as contracts or wills, and occasionally representing clients at tribunals or in court.
GCSE The foundation of your career and the essential first step – good grades are vital if you want to progress in your legal career. A level The academic stage between GCSE and university or the beginning of a paralegal/ solicitor apprenticeship. Again, good grades are essential. Intermediate apprenticeship The intermediate apprenticeship is aimed at school leavers who have not done A levels. Entry requirements are five GCSEs graded A* to C (or equivalent). Apprentices will develop skills to assist in the progression of cases on an administrative level. It is an 18-21 month course. training in a particular legal practice area. Entry requirements are five GCSEs graded A* to C and three A levels graded C or above (or equivalent). It is a 24-month course. It can lead on to further training via the solicitor apprenticeship route to qualify as a solicitor, although there are only minimal exemptions available. It is also possible to go on to qualify as a chartered legal executive, although smaller numbers of paralegals take up this option when compared to the solicitor apprenticeship option. Paralegal apprenticeship The paralegal apprenticeship delivers paralegal Solicitor apprenticeship The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year programme of paid, on-the-job training which ends in qualification as a solicitor. The entry requirements are five GCSEs graded A* to C and three A levels graded B or above (or equivalent work experience).The apprenticeship
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Meet the apprentice
Tim Kennedy Mayer Brown LLP
Tim Kennedy is currently in the litigation and dispute resolution group at Mayer Brown LLP
How did you find out about/research the legal apprenticeship route?
I knew wanted to be a lawyer, but I didn’t think an apprenticeship route would be an option for me. I was researching my career options when Mayer Brown’s articled route to qualification scheme leaped out at me. When I learned what this qualification route had to offer I was very keen to apply.
What about the route appealed?
I wasn’t keen to continue with full-time academic study, as I didn’t want to be stuck in a classroom. Equally, I knew I needed a degree to pursue the career path that I wanted. Mayer Brown’s articled route scheme offered the best of both worlds, as it would enable me to gain hands-on experience working four days a week at a big international firm, while studying for a degree at the same time. I was keen to get into the actual practice of law right away, balancing my studies alongside this.
What do you do day to day?
It depends on the practice area that I am sitting in. I am currently in the litigation and dispute resolution group, working with the insurance and reinsurance team. We typically represent big insurers, through which we defend banks, accountancy firms and other financial institutions from a range of claims, for example, professional negligence claims. I am currently working on an interesting case defending an auditor against alleged fraud. Apprenticeships and vocational schemes, such as the one that I am doing at Mayer Brown, allow you to see and try everything. I particularly enjoy litigation because of the competitive, back-and-forth element to the work.
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What do you most enjoy – and find the most challenging – about your apprenticeship?
The standout feature of the scheme that I am on – as well as the most challenging – is the responsibility placed on me. I’m at a major firm with big clients, doing high-quality work. Although I’m relatively inexperienced, the firm has enabled me to be fully involved in cases and I play an important role in the team. This comes with pressure, of course, which reflects the high value and importance of the cases we work on.
What is your best piece of advice for those considering applying for a legal apprenticeship?
Finally, it is vital for applicants learn as much as they can about a firm before they apply. For example, if you are interested in criminal law, you should not be applying to a firm like Mayer Brown, which focuses on commercial law. And if you are set on working in the City, representing big businesses and banks, you still need to dig down further to understand the nuances between the large commercial firms – on the surface they might look identical, but each one is unique in their culture, focus and identity. There are three key things that people need to know when considering a vocational qualification route. Firstly, you need to appreciate what being a lawyer entails day-to-day. It isn’t always the most glamorous job. There will be late nights spent putting together court bundles and it can be stressful, as well as hugely enjoyable – it depends on what suits you as an individual. Secondly, given that the commitment is six years, it is so important that you think about whether it is the right fit for you.
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From September 2018, the scheme at Mayer Brown is moving from the ‘articled route to qualification’ to the government’s ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship programme .
Meet the apprentice
Ellie Clarkson Irwin Mitchell LLP
Ellie Clarkson is a paralegal apprentice at Irwin Mitchell LLP, currently working in the firm’s commercial litigation department.
How did you find out about/research the legal apprenticeship route?
I originally heard about the route while completing my final year at sixth form college. Legal apprenticeships were pretty new at the time, so I did a lot of research online, including on the government apprenticeship website and CILEx. That gave me an insight into what a legal apprenticeship is, which area of law might be right for me, and whether I could still qualify as a solicitor through the apprenticeship route. I then started to look for vacancies through traditional recruitment sites and on firms’ own websites.
What about the route appealed?
From working since I was 13, I have always had a strong work ethic, so although I attended open days at universities and was offered places at four Russell Group universities, I decided that it wasn’t the best route for me. I didn’t want to be told about the law in a lecture theatre – I wanted to do it! The opportunity to obtain practical experience in such a competitive sector was appealing. I spoke to lots of people at university who were concerned about attaining a job after their degree as they felt they lacked practical experience. In comparison, I now already have two years’ experience in a law firm, working on my own client files. You are also earning while you learn – the four-year degree that I was considering, inclusive of student living costs and the LPC, would have been around £60,000. Compare that to an average apprentice salary of between £15,000 and £19,000 annually, I can earn in four years what I would have accrued in debt in the same period.
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What do you do day to day?
I work in the commercial litigation department, mostly dealing with breach of contract claims, as well as some claims for misrepresentation and professional negligence. I mainly cover consumer disputes, so anything from pursuing ‘cowboy’ builders for substandard workmanship or mechanics for defective vehicle work - I’ve even worked on a claim for a defective wedding dress! I also cover a lot of holiday claims and work on some property disputes.
There are many different elements to my role, including instructing counsel, attending client meetings and mediations, and corresponding with the other party. It is always interesting and varied.
What do you most enjoy – and find the most challenging – about your apprenticeship?
I most enjoy meeting, working and socialising with a range of clients and colleagues. I regularly work with members of our employment and insolvency teams. I love helping a variety of clients to resolve a range of issues and disputes. It can be a challenge to deal with clients in difficult and distressing situations – many come to us in a state of upset and frustration, having tried everything to try and settle their dispute – but being able to deal with those situations is excellent experience. It can also be quite a time pressured environment with long hours, but that is counteracted by the benefits we can offer to our clients.
What is your best piece of advice for those considering applying for a legal apprenticeship?
Be focused and determined – this is not a half-hearted option or an ‘easier route’ to university, which I think is a common misconception of the apprenticeship scheme. Working in a professional environment, you have to be able to cope with the pressure and pace that comes with litigation. I think it’s also important to show your personality if you want to stand out in the recruitment process – you sometimes get caught up in what you think is expected of a lawyer, rather than focusing on the ethos of the firm and what they might be looking for. Apprenticeships are changing the legal sector and it’s a new and developing area; if you can show your personality and put your stamp on things, you will go far.
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Key questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about legal apprenticeships. If something you want to know is not covered here, email your query to LawCareers.Net’s Oracle at oracle@lawcareers.net for a personalised response. Q How do I know if law is the right career for me? Q Haven’t all lawyers been to private schools and Oxbridge?
At this early stage, it can be hard to be sure, but you can ask yourself some key questions as a start. Do you find legal issues interesting? Are you intrigued by the ways in which the law is part of everyday life? Is there a particular practice area (eg, crime, the environment or human rights) that has caught your attention? Are you the kind of person who would thrive in a fast-paced legal environment? The best way to really find out whether law is for you is by talking to lawyers and doing some quality work experience within the legal profession. Q What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer? There are a number of important skills that are needed if you are to be a good lawyer. Many of them are developed during your academic studies, while others become apparent in your working life – the advantage of developing them as an apprentice is that you will be doing both simultaneously. The attributes that most recruiters look for include: intellectual ability; motivation; resilience; accuracy; teamwork; leadership; commercial awareness; and communication skills. If you have the majority of these, law could be a good option for you!
No. Most firms understand the benefits of a representative workforce, which means recruiting the best candidates regardless of background. These days, most have their own diversity policies to ensure that they provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people whatever their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or circumstances. In fact, legal apprenticeship schemes are one of the ways that firms are trying to attract and recruit a more diverse group of employees. Q Who can become an apprentice? Generally speaking, legal apprenticeships are aimed at students who leave education after completing their GCSEs or A levels, wanting to go straight into a career rather than progress on to university. Most legal apprentices are young people who have recently finished secondary education, but it is also open to mature candidates (eg, those who have had a previous career).
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Q Do I have to study A-level law to be an apprentice? In short, no. People do much better in subjects that they are interested in, so pursue A levels (and GCSEs) which you think you will enjoy. A level is about studying interesting subjects and developing key skills – specialist legal training comes later. Also, very few universities list A-level law as a requirement, even for those wanting to start a law degree, so it is by no means essential. In fact, you can become a lawyer without ever having done a law degree, choosing a non-law undergraduate degree subject and then doing the one- year conversion course (the Graduate Diploma in Law). Another point here is the importance of achieving good grades. Try to opt for subjects that you enjoy and excel in to give yourself the best possible chance of passing with flying colours. It is far preferable to get As and Bs in three subjects than it is to get Bs and Cs in four, so don’t give yourself too much to handle.
Q What do I need to know about my first day in an office? Your first day in any job can be intimidating; doubly so in a law firm environment, where you may feel totally out of your depth. But don’t worry – most firms will have comprehensive induction programmes for new joiners, introducing you to some of the basics of office life (eg, the IT system and how to work the coffee machine!). You may also find yourself starting on the same day as other apprentices, so you can share your concerns and questions within the group. Some firms will also give you a trainee buddy or mentor to help you adjust. Be yourself, ask questions, demonstrate enthusiasm, and pretty soon, you’ll feel right at home. One note on dress code: lawyers are business people and their clients expect them to look the part. While some firms are more relaxed than others, your best bet is to arrive looking very well presented. That doesn’t mean spending a fortune on tailor- made suits, but it does mean arriving on your first day dressed smartly and ready to do the job.
Got a question not answered here? Email it to the LawCareers.Net Oracle at oracle@lawcareers.net.
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Key questions Q Where can I find details of
Q Should I go to my careers service?
apprenticeship vacancies and how do I apply?
Your school careers service is a brilliant resource that you should definitely make use of. They will be able to help you with application and interview techniques, suggest places to look for information, and maybe even help you to secure informal work experience or shadowing with a law firm. Q What if I might prefer the traditional route? If you’re reading this guide, you obviously have more than a passing interest in becoming a legal apprentice. However, it may be that you’re also considering the more traditional pathway into the profession. If so, The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2019 – the companion guide to this one – is your first stop for information about the university route to becoming a solicitor or barrister. In addition, LawCareers.Net is also a great place for information about this career path, including news, advice, features and interviews.
There is more information out there about legal apprenticeships than ever before. However, there is no one centralised location where all vacancies are advertised – rather, individual firms/organisations will advertise on their own websites and elsewhere, including on LawCareers.Net (www.lawcareers.net). LCN has a comprehensive list of vacancies, which is updated often, so it is worth making regular visits to the site to see if new vacancies have been added. Vacancies are often advertised in September/October to start in February/March. For more information about apprenticeships, again, LCN is a great first stop, but both the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (www.cilex.org.uk/study/apprenticeships) and the government apprenticeship pages (www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship) are valuable resources.
Find out more about all the careers the legal profession has to offer on www.lawcareers.net .
If you would like more copies of The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2019 or its companion publication, The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2019 , please contact info@lawcareers.net.
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A law apprenticeship combines an interesting job and training at a law firm with part-time study. This means hard work, but the rewards are well worth it. Here is a checklist of the skills you will need and what you need to do to get off to a flying start as a legal apprentice. Your legal apprenticeship skills checklist Good written and verbal communication skills. Solicitors, paralegals and legal executives advise people in person, over the phone and in emails and letters, so writing and speaking clearly and with confidence is important. Attention to detail. This is one of the cornerstones of the legal profession, so it is essential that you take a careful and meticulous approach to all the work that you produce as an apprentice, checking and rechecking as you go. Good interpersonal and customer service skills. As an apprentice you will meet a wide range of different people, including colleagues at your law firm and clients who need one of your firm’s services. You will need to be friendly, enthusiastic and professional, even with difficult clients. The ability to work well as part of a team. Solicitors and the other types of lawyer found in law firms rarely work alone. A law firm is one big team divided into smaller teams with different areas of expertise who help each other out. As an apprentice, you will constantly be working closely with others. Being a team player is essential. Strong organisational skills. Apprentices need to stay on top of multiple tasks and be able to prioritise and meet deadlines. They also need to balance their law firm role with studying part time, so it is important to work hard and be organised. A strong academic track record. Law is an intellectually rigorous and demanding profession. Employers will be looking for evidence of both a good brain and a strong work ethic, so work hard at getting the best results you possibly can during your GCSEs and A levels.
A desire to learn. Although a law apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to get straight onto a fulfilling career path after leaving school, the learning has only just begun once you join a law firm as an apprentice. You will be training and studying to become an expert legal professional, so enthusiasm to learn more is a must.
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