Final-year law and GDL students Autumn term If you want to do the LPC and not the SQE, you must apply for a place through the Central Applications Board from September onwards in your final year at university. There is no closing date for applications; applications are responded to as they are submitted, and institutions are notified weekly of new submissions. Applications for part-time courses must be made directly to the provider. Spring term The SRA runs character and suitability checks on students wishing to train as solicitors, and requires people to disclose any information related to this. If you do have such issues (eg, a police caution), you need to disclose these at the earliest opportunity – and at least six months before you would anticipate starting a training contract. Undergoing a character and suitability check before starting an SQE preparation course or the LPC costs £100. Summer term If you have not succeeded in obtaining a training contract, keep applying! You might want to consider delaying starting the LPC if you are yet to find a training contract, given the competitiveness of the job market; time spent gaining experience and focusing on applications should give you a better chance of success. SQE preparation or LPC Remember that even though the SQE was introduced in September 2021, the LPC will remain a valid qualification until as late as 2032, so you can still apply for training contracts. January 2022 is likely to be the last start date for LPC programmes.
best chance to meet people from the firms face to face (virtual or in person). It is best to have done some preliminary research so you can ask intelligent questions. Many firms also organise on-campus presentations during these two terms. Look into the funding possibilities for your postgraduate legal training (eg, local education authority grants) and check closing dates for applications. Non-law degree students will need to apply for a place on a law conversion course (often known as the GDL). If you intend to study full-time and start your course before 2022, you should apply through the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk) from September onwards in your final year of university. There is no longer a closing date for applications; rather, applications are dealt with as they are submitted, and institutions are notified weekly of new submissions. Applications for part- time courses must be made directly to the provider. Spring holidays Apply for further work placements for the summer vacation. Thoroughly research the applications procedure for training contracts, especially those at firms you are interested in. By now, you should be beginning to shortlist the firms to which you want to apply. Summer holidays Most major law firms have training contract application deadlines during this period, and 31 July remains a major deadline for many, although deadlines fall throughout the year. Gain some further work experience, either on a formal work placement scheme or through other means. You may also be interviewed for training contracts during this period.
LawCareers.Net recommends only taking the LPC if you have secured a training
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