The following describes the various stages along the path to formal legal qualifications:
CILEx chartered legal executive It is also possible to practise law as a chartered legal executive – a qualified lawyer (though not a solicitor) who is trained to specialise as an expert in a particular area of law. The route to qualification is to complete CILEx 3 and CILEx 6 (or CILEx Graduate Fast Track for those with a law degree) and three years’ qualifying employment. For more info, go to www.cilex.org.uk. Legal apprenticeships A legal apprentice joins a law firm straight from school, rather than going to university. He or she receives paid, on-the-job training. For more detail on the different types of apprenticeship see p6 or visit our Legal pprenticeships section on LawCareers.Net. Paralegals Paralegals have traditionally worked alongside solicitors in law firms as support staff, although in practice many paralegals do the same work as solicitors. Paralegal roles provide a good route into the profession for students and graduates. For more detail on what paralegals do and how to become one, see p7 or visit our Paralegals section on LawCareers.Net.
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 stage between GCSE and undergraduate level – again, good grades are essential. Some universities favour traditional, academically rigorous subjects such as history (A-level law is not usually specified). Solicitor apprenticeship The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year programme of paid, on-the-job training, integrating a law degree, which ends in qualification as a solicitor. The entry requirements are five GCSEs graded A*-C and three A levels graded C or above. Non-law degree Lawyers are not required to have studied law at university. It is possible to do a non-law degree and then do the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Law degree The qualifying law degree, or LLB, covers seven compulsory subjects: public, criminal, contract, tort, property, equity and trusts, and EU law. GDL Like the law degree, the one-year Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) concentrates on the seven foundations of legal practice. When combined with a non-law degree, it is equivalent to a law degree.
BPTC The one-year Bar
Professional Training Course (BPTC) is the vocational stage of training to be a barrister. LPC The one-year Legal Practice Course (LPC) is the vocational stage of training to be a solicitor. Pupillage Pupillage is a compulsory, year-long apprenticeship before qualification as a barrister. Pupils practise under the guidance of a pupil supervisor. Period of recognised training/training contract The period of recognised training (traditionally known as a ‘training contract’) is a period of paid training with a law firm or other approved organisation before qualification as a solicitor. In most cases this will take the form of a two-year formal traineeship. Barrister Barristers offer advice on specific legal issues and represent clients in court. Solicitor Solicitors give advice and assistance; they are the first point of contact for those seeking legal advice and representation.
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Change ahead: the Solicitors Qualifying Examination The Solicitors Qualifying new exam will be introduced in 2020. For more information,
Examination is a new exam in development that all trainee solicitors will have to pass at the point of qualifying. The
go to LawCareers.Net and search “Solicitors Qualifying Examination”.
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