Becoming a Solicitor
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Transcript of Becoming a Solicitor
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113 Chancery Lane
LondonWC2A 1PL
www.lawsociety.org.uk
2008 The Law Society
careers
Becoming a solicitorStart planning your future today
information
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Getting started
Who becomes a solicitor?
What solicitors do
A wide range of career options
Routes to becoming a solicitor
Law graduate route
Non-law graduate route
The ILEX routes
Checklists
Law graduate Non-law graduate
Application / selection - top tips
Covering letters
CVs
Applications
Interviews
Alternative options
Useful contacts
The role of the Law Society
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contents
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About the Junior Lawyers Division
The Junior Lawyers Division is an exclusive new membership group for enrolled students,
trainees and solicitors with up to five years active practice. It has a potential membership
of over 70,000.
The Division is the voice of junior lawyers across the country and in every type of practice.
Membership is free as long as you are enrolled with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Membership benefitsThe Junior Lawyers Division is part of the Law Society, so members benefit from the
Societys resources and profile. But in its representative role the Division is autonomous.
The Division offers a full package of benefits including:
national and regional networking events
an interactive website
careers advice - domestic and international
local JLD groups
legal research advice national and regional skills events
mentoring opportunities for students
links with other international bar organisations
a confidential freephone helpline (08000 856 131)
discounts from leading businesses
competitively-priced CPD training
the opportunity to influence the future of the profession by getting
involved in the Division.
Campaigning for junior lawyersThe Junior Lawyers Division will campaign on the issues that affect students, trainees and
new solicitors - for example, minimum salary for trainees, debt and quality of life.
Find out more at www.lawsociety.org.uk/juniorlawyers
junior lawyers
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Becoming a solicitor Start planning your future today
Legal Practice Course
1 year full-time2 years part-time
QUALIFYING LAWDEGREE
3 years full-time
5 years part-time
NON QUALIFYING
LAW DEGREE3 years full-time
5 years part-time
ILEX ROUTESRequire 4 GCSEs
(including EnglishLanguage) or equivalent.
Students without formal
qualifications may be
considered on the basis
of experience.
OVERSEAS LAWYERS /QUALIFIED BARRISTERS(QLTT)
Training Contract
2 years full-timeup to 4 years part-time
Professional Skills
Course(undertaken duringtraining contract)
Qualified solicitor
Common ProfessionalExamination / Graduate
Diploma in Law1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Legal Practice Course1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Training Contract2 years full-time
up to 4 years part-time
Professional SkillsCourse
(undertaken duringtraining contract)
Membership RouteILEX ProfessionalDiploma level 3
followed byILEX Professional HighDiploma in Law level 6
Membership of ILEX Common Pr ofessionalExamination / Graduate
Diploma in Law(exemptions may be
available)
Legal Practice Course1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Fellowship RouteILEX ProfessionalDiploma level 3
followed byILEX Professional HighDiploma in Law level 6
Fellowship of ILEXQualifying
employmentundertaken
Common ProfessionalExamination / Graduate
Diploma in Law(exemptions may be
available)
Legal Practice Course1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Qualified solicitor
Training Contract andProfessional Skills
Course2 years full-time
up to 4 years part-time
Professional SkillsCourse
Qualified solicitor
Qualified solicitor
Certificate of Eligibility(issued by the Solicitors
Regulation Authority
Qualified LawyersTransfer Test (QLTT)
Qualified solicitorEngland & Wales
Practice-based training (Training Contract) ILEX Membership routeSee page 9
Professional Skills Course (PSC) See page 9
Admission to the roll
ILEX Fellows are exempt from the training contract as they qualify by passing exams
administered by ILEX whilst working under the supervision of a solicitor. Once you have
successfully completed the required training you can apply to the roll of solicitors in England
and Wales, which entitles you to practise as a solicitor.
Routes to becoming a solicitorNO A LEVELS OR EQUIVALENT
ILEX route (see below)
Access / Introductory Programme - 1 year full-time (Access Certificate qualifies you
for university entry)
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Becoming a solicitor Start planning your future today
Useful contactsCourses
For entrance requirements for admission to full-time undergraduate law degree courses at
universities of higher education you should apply to:
The Universities and Colleges Admission Services (UCAS)
PO Box 28
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 3SA
Telephone 0870 112 2211
www.ucas.ac.uk
Applications for full-time places on the Legal Practice Course and Common Professional
Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law course are administered by the Central Application
Board.
To apply for a full-time place on the Legal Practice Course telephone 01483 301 282. For a
full-time place on the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law Course,
telephone 01483 451 080.
For details on LPC,CPE and GDL courses, write to:
The Central Applications Board
PO Box 84
GuildfordSurrey
GU3 1YX
www.lawcabs.ac.uk
The Institute of Legal Executives
If you are interested in following the legal executive routes, contact:
The Institute of Legal Executives
Kempston Manor
Kempston
Bedfordshire
MK42 7AB
Telephone 01234 841 000
www.ilex.org.uk
Institute of Paralegals2nd Floor, Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square
Mayfair
London W1J 6BD
Tel: 0870 243 2308
www.instituteofparalegals.org/
The Bar CouncilFor more information on a career as a barrister, contact:
Education and Training Department
General Council of the Bar
289 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7HZ
Telephone 020 7242 0082
www.barcouncil.org.uk and www.legaleducation.org.uk
Careers Service
Your careers adviser at your teaching institution will have a
wide range of reading material
Local authorities / commerce and industry
If you wish to train within commerce, industry or a local
authority, you should contact relevant organisations
direct.
Law Society Gazette
The Gazette jobs provides access to the latest legal jobs
www.lawgazettejobs.co.uk
The Magistrates Association
For more information on a career in the
Magistrates Court Service, contact:
The Magistrates Association
28 Fitzroy Square
London
W1T 6DD
Telephone 020 7387 2353
www.magistrates-association.org.uk
Crown Prosecution Service
For training details, contact:
The Staff Management Unit
Crown Prosecution Service
50 Ludgate Hill
London EC4M 7GG
www.cps.gov.uk
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Becoming a solicitor Start planning your future today
GovernmentFor details, about a career as a solicitor in government contact:
The Recruitment Team
Chancery House
53-64 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1QS
Telephone 020 7649 6023
www.gls.gov.uk
The Law Society
For information on how the Law Society can provide support throughout your career
www.lawsociety.org.uk
Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society
Support, advice and networking opportunities for students, trainees and newly qualified
solicitors
www.lawsociety.org.uk/juniorlawyers
Solicitors Regulation Authority
For additional information on qualification requirements and a list of firms authorised totake trainee solicitors
Telephone 0870 606 2555
www.sra.org.uk
The role of the Law SocietyAs the representative body for solicitors in England and Wales, the Law Society is here to
support you at every stage of your training, qualifying and throughout your career as a
solicitor.
The Law Society is committed to attracting the most able candidates into the legal
profession and to promoting equality at all stages. Solicitors are drawn
from all walks of life and around 6,000 qualify each year in England and
Wales.
A career as a solicitor is open to anyone and the Law Society is actively
promoting diversity in entrants to the profession. In recent
years more women than men have been qualifying assolicitors and at least 18 per cent of people qualifying have
been from minority ethnic groups.
Equality in the profession
The Law Society has developed two important schemes
to aid diversity in the profession.
Diversity Access Scheme
This scheme provides support to talented people who
face particular obstacles to qualifying as a solicitor.
These might relate to social, educational, financial or
family circumstances or a disability. The scheme hastwo elements - sponsorship to cover fees for the
Common Professional Examination, the Graduate
Diploma in Law or the Legal Practice Course - and a
mentoring scheme which puts individuals in touch with
a solicitor who can advise and support them.
Bursary Scheme
The Bursary Scheme is funded by a number of trusts and
scholarships. Awards are given exclusively to students
who have secured a place on the Common Professional
Examination, the Graduate Diploma in Law or the Legal
Practice Course. To be eligible to apply for an award,you must be able to demonstrate that your financial
position would make it difficult for you to further your
legal studies.