Becoming a solicitor
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 ‘Alternative careers’ on page 42). Qualifying work experience Under the new SQE route, solicitors must complete two years’ QWE before they can qualify. QWE offers more flexibility than the traditional training contract because it can be split over placements with up to four organisations. Candidates can decide to complete their QWE in one block, much like the two-year training contract, or split across different organisations. The traditional training contract route will still be available but other forms of experience (eg, volunteering in a law centre or working as a paralegal) may also count towards the total experience needed to qualify. It’s also worth pointing out that while the traditional training contract of the LPC route might no longer exist, it’s likely that many firms will want their future lawyers to complete the entirety of their two-year QWE with them. Therefore, in practice, the flexibility that the SQE is supposed to afford students might not be realised. It’s best to check what your shortlisted firms are doing in this regard so you’re aware of the best way to secure your QWE. Aspiring lawyers will have the option to complete their two years’ QWE before, during or after taking the SQE1 and SQE2, but it must be completed prior to applying for admission to the roll of solicitors. Your QWE must also be registered with the SRA and signed off by a qualified solicitor – more guidance is available on the SRA’s website and on LawCareers.Net’s SQE hub. Continuing competence If you’re qualifying via the LPC, you cannot qualify as a solicitor without passing the
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, which means 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 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).
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