Becoming a solicitor
to accommodate trainees’ seat preferences, although they must consider the overall needs of the firm as well as those of the other trainees. The SRA has guidelines that must also be followed. In some firms, trainees may also have the opportunity to spend a seat in an overseas office or on secondment to a client. Training contracts may be less structured in smaller and high-street firms than those in the larger commercial firms – an approach that might appeal to those who fear a ‘conveyor- belt’ training mentality in the City firms. As many small firms cannot offer detailed training over a wide spread of specialisations, trainees are sometimes permitted to undertake consortium training, fulfilling different training seats in different firms. Content What trainees learn during the training contract will depend on the type of firm. Clearly, the practice areas you learn about as a solicitor working at a commercial firm in the City are going to differ from those learnt by your peers at regional high-street firms. The smaller firms that mainly concentrate on a single area of work will obviously provide the most limited experience, but conversely can offer the most responsibility. Trainees must experience at least three distinct areas of law over the course of their training. Assessment and support Trainee solicitors are assessed continuously throughout their training contract, whichmeans that any problems can be addressed early and are not left until the trainee has qualified. Almost without exception, firms have a three and six-monthly appraisal for each training contract seat. In this way trainees receive good feedback about their performance both during and after a seat, and get to have their say about anything they’re not 100% happy with. You ought to be treated sympathetically in all your seats and should never feel as
though you’re being given more responsibility than you can handle. Nobody will expect you to know everything from day one of your training contract; indeed, some firms dedicate the first few weeks to induction lectures and presentations to get you up to speed with the firm, its clients and its different practice areas. Most of your work will involve drafting, writing and researching, with everything being checked by a qualified solicitor and your supervision overseen by a partner (many trainees share an office with their supervisor during their seats). Other training opportunities exist with the Crown Prosecution Service and within the government, and with some companies outside private practice in commerce and industry (see the ‘Alternative careers’ chapter). Equivalent means It is possible to qualify as a solicitor via the LPC route without having done a training contract. Instead, the individual is required to pass the LPC and gain two year’s QWE (eg, in a paralegal role). This means that the work experience requirements to become a solicitor are the same on both the LPC and SQE routes. However, be aware that in reality, many employers will require you to complete a two-year QWE period (ie, a training contract) with them before offering you a qualified role, even if you have previous QWE. Continuing competence If you are qualifying via the LPC, you cannot qualify as a solicitor without passing the Professional Skills Course (PSC). This is a modular course which aims to ensure that you have reached the appropriate level of skills and knowledge during the LPC and the training contract. Firms must pay for their trainees to attend the PSC. If you qualify as a solicitor via the SQE, you are not required to complete the PSC. Instead, solicitors must look out for their own training
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