SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL WELCOME

Southampton Law School LLM graduates pursue a range of high-profile careers in a variety of different industries around the world.

These include working as in international law firms, national governments, international governmental organisations and international commercial organisations, as well as outside the legal sector in government, insurance, finance, charitable organisations, consultancies and academia. You will all have your own reasons for taking an LLM qualification. You may want to enhance or broaden your career opportunities, or add value and depth to your CV. Whatever your motive, this booklet contains a wealth of information about what your next step could be once you graduate. We will explain more about the typical job opportunities open to you in the UK and further afield; and how to qualify as a or in England and Wales. We have also gathered together a collection of useful resources that you can consult. At Southampton Law School, we are fortunate to have the support of a dedicated Careers Adviser from the University’s Careers and Employability Service who delivers bespoke events for our LLM students, as well as offering individual careers appointments in the Law School. Make sure you make the most of this valuable opportunity. You will also be invited to numerous careers CONTENTS events and activities and these are an invaluable way of finding out more information, and meeting with prospective employers and contacts to grow Page 4 Developing your skills your professional network. Our alumni are also an intrinsic part of the Law School, and we are grateful for Page 5 Graduate profile their contribution to this booklet by sharing their experiences and their advice. We look forward to working with you to enable you to attain your career goals, Pages 6-7 Employment opportunities around the globe and wish you every success during your time at Southampton and beyond. LLM Maritime Law LLM International Commercial and LLM International Law and Human Rights LLM Master of

Pages 8-9 Careers timeline

Professor Uta Kohl Jan Steele Pages 10-11 The next step Director of Law Postgraduate Senior Tutor and Careers Working as a in England and Wales Taught Programmes and Employability Co-ordinator Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales Working as a qualified and experienced solicitor in England and Wales

Pages 12-13 The next step (cont.) Qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales Working as a qualified and experienced barrister in England and Wales Working as a lawyer outside England and Wales An academic career

Pages 14-15 Useful resources Legal careers websites Course applications Professional bodies Directories Legal news websites Specialist recruitment agencies and jobs boards

2 3 GRADUATE PROFILE

“I chose to study at Southampton because it is one of - if not the best - places to undertake a LLM degree in Maritime Law. Southampton Law School is known for being a multicultural school, giving students the opportunity to interact with the English culture and language and to get an understanding of the different cultures from all around the world. “I am from Norway, and I really enjoyed getting to know students in my class who have travelled to Southampton from all around the world. Southampton offers you endless opportunities to develop as a person outside the classroom. “During my study I participated in (and won) the annual ‘LLM Challenge’. Its purpose is to test intelligence, creativity, energy and teamwork skills. It was a great opportunity to develop and experience working in a team. DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS “My advice to students would be to get involved, be curious and push yourself As a member of Southampton Law School’s LLM All of our LLM students will participate in the LLM community you will develop high-level intellectual skills Challenge where you will be tasked with debating topical outside your comfort zone. Only then and professional expertise in a specialist area of law. legal issues chosen by Law School academics. You will use you will get the most out of your time These include: your research skills to develop a briefing document and here in Southampton.” creatively present your argument as part of a team in a ÒÒ Maritime Law legal debate in front of academic staff. This challenge will Beate Nygaard ÒÒ International Law and Human Rights help improve your teamwork and presentation skills. LLM Maritime Law, 2017 ÒÒ International Commercial and Corporate Law Winner of the Gard Prize for the Best An important part of all our LLM programmes is the ÒÒ Performance in Carriage of Goods by Sea dissertation. This is a significant research project which We are also committed to ensuring you gain a wide range requires a number of additional skills including project of transferable skills and attributes that will be valued by management, time management, organisational, problem employers at all levels throughout your career, including: solving and innovation. ÒÒ legal research and writing You will also get the opportunity to benefit from our ÒÒ analysis Wednesday Seminar Series that has been running for ÒÒ critical evaluation more than 20 years. The weekly seminars are delivered ÒÒ logical thinking by expert law practitioners who share their experiences and general knowledge, to give you an insight into the ÒÒ written and verbal communication maritime, commercial and insurance sectors. The ÒÒ teamwork speakers also include brokers, claims handlers and other ÒÒ leadership professionals from outside of the legal sector. ÒÒ presentation skills

4 5 LLM International Commercial Think tanks – a body of experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic problems such as EMPLOYMENT and Corporate Law Chatham House, the Foreign Policy Centre, Reform, the As an LLM Commercial and Corporate Law graduate there Social Market Foundation and the International Peace are a huge variety of firms and chambers you can consider. Institute. OPPORTUNITIES It is important to research which would suit you best. International and Tribunals - including the Factors to consider include: European of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice and the AROUND THE GLOBE ÒÒ Mixed practice or specialist/niche or in-house/ Permanent Court of International Justice. Employed ÒÒ Size of firm/chambers Southampton Law School graduates are highly sought after by employers and many currently hold ÒÒ Location – global, or regional LLM Master of Laws prestigious international positions – with some returning to their home country to practise, while For example if you have a strong interest in international As an LLM Master of Laws graduate there are a very wide others secure a career in other countries across the world. Here we look at some of the different arbitration, you may wish to consider the following firms: range of opportunities that you will be able to pursue, areas of law your LLM can lead to. both as a lawyer and outside the legal profession. These ÒÒ Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer opportunities may be influenced by the modules you ÒÒ Skadden study during your LLM. You may have the choice of a LLM Maritime Law ÒÒ Allen & Overy career in several practice areas by following a very broad ÒÒ Freehills course, specialise in a particular area of law, or follow a As an LLM graduate you could work in a specialist maritime /chambers or companies that have a strong maritime ÒÒ non-legal career. practice. Firms who target Southampton graduates and regularly visit the Law School include: ÒÒ White & Case Many of the firms and organisations listed on this page will ÒÒ ÒÒ Reed Smith welcome applications from LLM Master of Laws students. Chambers with a strong reputation in this area include: ÒÒ ÒÒ ÒÒ Campbell Johnson Clark ÒÒ Tatham Macinnes ÒÒ Essex Court Ò Ò ÒÒ 7 King’s Bench Wall Ò Clyde & Co Ò White & Case “At Allen & Overy we actively seek to recruit ÒÒ HFW ÒÒ Womble Bond Dickinson ÒÒ Twenty Essex students with exceptional academics, a ÒÒ Ince & Co ÒÒ Brick Court ÒÒ Fountain Court commitment to law, strong communication LLM graduates also work in insurance with Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs - mutual insurance associations that ÒÒ Keating skills and an international perspective – provide risk pooling information and representation for their members. Well-known examples include Gard, Skuld, ÒÒ which is why we welcome applications from Brittania Steam Ship, The Standard Club and Steamship. LLM students. Our preference is for LLM For a full list visit: www.igpandi.org/group-clubs LLM International Law students to join an Allen & Overy office in Other maritime opportunities exist in ship brokerage, ship finance, and transport planning, logistics and operations. the jurisdiction where they are qualified or and Human Rights qualifying into.” As a graduate in LLM International Law and Human Rights, you could work in a specialist ’ firm or chambers Allen & Overy focusing on human rights or international law. You could also consider working for: “Southampton’s LLM is the best in the International organisations - such as the United world for students who wish to pursue a Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, “We have a number of Southampton alumni career in shipping law. The Law School has the World Health Organization, The Organisation for who are building successful careers at the most experienced legal scholars and Economic Co-operation and Development, the World . From these experiences we’ve Trade Organisation and the World Bank. practitioners to lecture all the subjects of come to expect Southampton graduates maritime and . Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - non- to be both academically and commercially profit, voluntary citizens’ groups that are organised on a prepared for a career in law. We also “As a at Clyde & Co’s Shanghai’s local, national or international level, including Amnesty expect them to have a real enthusiasm for office, I benefitted from my LLM study by International, Liberty, Human Rights Watch, Justice and Redress. www.wango.org continuous learning and development.” contributing articles and case commentaries Linklaters to Lloyd’s Shipping & Trade Law and Governments - across the globe who are dealing with national and international legal issues. In the UK Arbitration Law Monthly – leading shipping government departments include the Foreign and law and arbitration law newsletters.” Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the Department for International Development. Edward Liu LLM Maritime Law, 2009

6 7 LLM DEGREE CAREERS TIMELINE

Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

September to December January to April May to August ÒÒ Visit the Careers Centre (Building 37, Highfield ÒÒ Attend the bespoke careers sessions for LLM students ÒÒ Be aware of application deadlines – many graduate ÒÒ Research and generate a career ‘Plan B’. If necessary, seek Campus) to find out how they can support your career delivered by the specialist Careers Practitioner from schemes close early. support from the Careers and Employability Service. and employability-related needs. the University’s Careers and Employability Service. ÒÒ If wishing to become a Barrister, in order to begin the ÒÒ Plan regular time for further job searching - identify ÒÒ Research careers directly and indirectly linked to your ÒÒ Attend any sessions of interest during the Law School Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), you must key employers in your chosen career/sector area, read LLM degree: www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/ Careers Programme in November. join one of the Four by 31st May of the industry publications, and familiarise yourself with students/subject-info/law.page ÒÒ Attend the ‘Law Fair’ organised by the Law School year in which you intend to start your course. appropriate job-seeking strategies for the jobs and ÒÒ Get actively involved in university life by joining clubs in November. ÒÒ Research institutions offering the LPC / BPTC and also sectors that interest you. and societies. ÒÒ If wishing to become a Barrister, apply for scholarship funding opportunities. Attend open days at LPC / BPTC ÒÒ Seek support from the Careers and Employability ÒÒ If following a career pathway as a Solicitor or Barrister at the Inns (closing date: early November) and look providers. Apply for the LPC (www.lawcabs.ac.uk) Service on psychometric testing preparation. in the UK, check the training routes and entry into the Bar Course Aptitude Test (you have to pass or BPTC (www.barsas.com). ÒÒ REMEMBER: The Careers and Employability Service requirements eg will you need to do the Graduate the BCAT before undertaking the Bar Professional ÒÒ Prepare/update your CV ready for applications. supports you up to five years after graduating! Diploma in Law (GDL) before the Legal Practice Training Course). Receive a review of your CV from an adviser Course (LPC)? Will the Solicitors Qualifying Exam during drop-in hours at the Careers and (SQE) impact on your training route to become a Employability Service. solicitor in the UK? ÒÒ Prepare for assessment centres and interviews ÒÒ If considering a career pathway in law, apply for legal by attending workshops and employer advice work experience (vacation schemes/mini- sessions at the Careers and Employability Service: for Christmas/Easter, visit courts, pro bono, talk to mycareer.soton.ac.uk solicitors/) or, if relevant, training contracts/ ÒÒ Attend the ‘Spring Careers Fair’ organised by the pupillages. Closing dates can vary – make sure that you Careers and Employability Service in March. check these carefully. ÒÒ Start building your network by networking with ÒÒ Research other work experience opportunities (e.g. employers – develop your LinkedIn profile. volunteering, Business Innovation Programme, Excel ÒÒ Attend industry insight events offered by the Careers Internship, attend open days at companies) and apply and Employability Service: mycareer.soton.ac.uk for those of interest: ÒÒ If wishing to become a Barrister and undertake the

mycareer.soton.ac.uk BPTC, book your BCAT (you can usually take the BCAT blog.soton.ac.uk/opus/ between April-July): www.barstandardsboard.org. www.nationalprobonocentre.org.uk uk/media-centre/press-releases-and-news/ www.southamptonvs.org.uk register-and-schedule-your-bcat-now

8 9 THE NEXT STEP

Working as a lawyer in England Current path to qualifying as a solicitor Proposed Solicitors Qualifying Working as a qualified and and Wales in England and Wales Examination (SQE) path from 2021 experienced solicitor in England Every LLM student has a different background and and Wales experience and it is important to realise that there are If you are a qualified and experienced foreign lawyer Non-law or non-qualifying Qualifying Non-law Qualifying a number of different ways in which you can qualify as a in a jurisdiction outside England and Wales then your lawyer in England and Wales. We have included a guide to law degree e.g. LLM (QLD) Academic stage degree law degree Qualifying recruitment will be subject to the rules of the Solicitors the various routes available but would strongly advise that law degree Regulation Authority. you also carry out your own research into which path is the + SQE1 prep Graduate Diploma in Extended To find out more about qualification routes and practise most relevant and appropriate for you. SQE1 prep Law (GDL), also known SQE1 prep as Common Professional for Registered European Lawyers and Registered Foreign Exam (CPE) Lawyers: www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/ Qualifying as a solicitor in England ethics-guidance/registered-foreign-lawyers and Wales SQE1 exams Some firms and organisations will recruit qualified and experienced overseas lawyers as a ‘lateral hire’. It is worth The majority of solicitors work in private practice firms (LPC) Vocational stage which vary enormously in size from sole practitioners checking this with any firm/organisation that you are Qualifying Work Experience to global firms with more than 1,000 partners. This is interested in working for. You may also get the opportunity 24 months legal work experience* to work as part of an in-house legal team. reflected in the range of work they undertake from larger Traineeship, paralegal, law clinic or sandwich course firms taking on a mixture of work to more niche firms With a law firm or other employer authorised by SRA Large organisations such as supermarkets, Some can be undertaken before the SQE1 carrying out specialist work in one area of law. to provide training contract. Usually two years, during financial organisations, global pharmaceutical and which time Period of Recognised Training (PRT) and telecommunications companies have their own Whatever LLM you study, the routes to qualify as a Professional Skill Course will be completed SQE2 prep solicitor remain the same. The stages are: lawyers and welcome applications from those with overseas experience. The academic stage - this is met by completing a qualifying law degree or a degree in any other subject Solicitor SQE2 exams If you have less than three or four years’ experience, you followed by a conversion course called the Graduate may want to consider the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Diploma in Law (GDL)/Common Professional Exam (CPE). Scheme (QLTS), which enables international lawyers Qualify from a jurisdiction recognised by the Solicitors Regulation The vocational stage - this is the Legal Practice Future changes to qualification Authority to be admitted as a solicitor in England and Course (LPC) and can be studied full-time, part-time Wales. Please note that passing the assessment DOES or distance learning. These current qualification routes are due to be replaced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in 2021. NOT guarantee a job. The practical stage - this is a two-year period of The new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts/recognised- recognised training in a solicitors’ firm or other legal two-part examination that will be taken by anyone who jurisdictions organisation. This is usually taken following the LPC. wishes to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. There www.sra.org.uk/sra/regulatory-framework/ will be transition arrangements put in place for those qualified-lawyers-transfer-scheme-regulations undertaking qualifications under the current system. The QLTS assessment is comprised of two parts and the The new route will require you to: current fees are around £4,000 excluding any training costs. ÒÒ have a degree in any subject (or equivalent qlts.kaplan.co.uk/the-assessment qualification or work experience) ÒÒ pass both stages of the SQE assessment – SQE 1 From 2021 the QLTS is due to be replaced by the Solicitors focuses on legal knowledge and SQE 2 on practical Qualifying Examination. legal skills www.sra.org.uk/sra/policy/sqe/lawyer-persona ÒÒ have two years’ qualifying work experience ÒÒ pass the SRA’s character and suitability requirements Find out more: www.sra.org.uk/sra/policy/sqe

10 11 THE NEXT STEP (CONT.)

Qualifying as a barrister in England Current path to qualifying as a Future changes to qualification Opportunities to work as a lawyer and Wales barrister in England and Wales The qualification to become a barrister is currently being outside England and Wales As a barrister you can train and work in chambers and reformed by the Bar to make it more accessible, affordable If you are interested in working as lawyer in your home practise in a variety of legal areas - including the more and flexible. Known as Future Bar Training, there will be a or other non-UK jurisdiction, you will find that some UK common areas of crime, and employment, as Non-law or non-qualifying phased approach to adopting the changes. corporate law firms recruit LLM graduates (with a law law degree e.g. LLM well as more the more specialised areas of admiralty and Find out more: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/ degree) for their offices outside the UK. These include: shipping, human rights and sports and entertainment. You Academic stage qualifying-as-a-barrister/future-requirements Allen & Overy, Hogan Lovells, Mayer Brown, Linklaters, can also practise at the Employed Bar working for in-house , Sherman Sterling and Skadden. legal departments, government or solicitors’ firms. Apply for a Graduate Working as a qualified and You should also make direct contact with any firms/ There is a defined route to qualifying as a barrister which is Diploma in Law (GDL) organisations who have an office in the country in the same irrespective of where you work. The stages are: also known as a Common experienced barrister in England which you are qualified to work. The Law Societies (or Professional Exam (CPE) by equivalent) for these countries should be able to provide The academic stage - an undergraduate degree in Law beginning of May. Apply for and Wales Inns of Court Scholarship: you with information on the requirements to work as a or a degree in any other subject followed by a conversion Application deadline: 1st If you are a qualified foreign lawyer who is a member of a lawyer in that country. Guest lecturers at the Law School’s course called the (GDL)/ Friday in November. legal profession regulated in a jurisdiction outside England Wednesday Seminar Programme often have information Common Professional Exam (CPE). and Wales and entitled to practise as such or as a European about these types of opportunities. The Vocational Stage - the Bar Professional Training lawyer, there are a number of different ways you can be Course (BPTC) which is a one-year full-time or two-year Graduate Diploma in admitted to the Bar. However, being admitted to the Bar Law (GDL), also known as Qualifying law degree (QLD) part-time course. Common Professional Exam is no guarantee of a job and you will need to find work in An academic career (CPE) Academic stage chambers or at the Employed Bar. - one year spent working as a pupil in a If you are thinking about continuing on an academic career Academic stage barristers’ chambers or in another organisation Find out more: www.barstandardsboard.org. then it is usually a requirement that you complete a PhD. It approved by the as a Pupillage uk/qualifying-as-a-barrister/bar-training- is important for you to think about the area of law you wish Training Organisation. requirements/transferring-lawyers to research and who may be able to supervise your PhD. Eligible to apply for Inn Eligible to apply for Inn Find out more: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/ membership once accepted membership from 2nd year As well as opportunities in University Law departments, on GDL/CPE (Application of Qualifying Law Degree you can also apply for a research post in organisations qualifying-as-a-barrister/becoming-a-barrister deadline: 31 May in year (Application deadline: 31 May of BPTC start date). Inns in year of BPTC start date). such as the Law Commission, the Max Planck Institute of Court Scholarship Inns of Court Scholarship for Comparative and International Private Law, the (Application deadline: 1st (Application deadline: 1st Friday in November year Friday in November year Legal Research Foundation and the Hague Institute for before BPTC start date). before BPTC start date). Global Justice. PhD applications open in the Autumn. There will also be a closing date for you to submit your funding application. Find out what is available and what the deadlines are: Apply for BPTC (application deadline: beginning of January year of BPTC start date – clearing from February) www.southampton.ac.uk/law

Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (full or part-time)

Call to the Bar

Pupillage as self-employed barrister or employed Bar

Self-employed or employed barrister

12 13 USEFUL RESOURCES

Legal Careers Websites Professional Bodies Specialist recruitment agencies and jobs boards Prospects - Gives an overview of the legal sector. The - Solicitors’ professional body that Garfield Robbins - London-based specialist legal Jobs - A legal recruitment website covering a www.prospects.ac.uk/law_sector.htm includes and Find a Solicitor recruitment consultancy. UK and international wide range of legal including solicitor, barrister, graduate/ search tool. opportunities for lawyers including professional trainee, paralegal, legal secretarial and support jobs. Targetjobs - Gives an overview of graduate law careers www.lawsociety.org.uk support lawyers. www.legalweekjobs.com with information on work experience and training. www.garfieldrobbins.com www.targetjobs.co.uk/law Solicitors Regulation Authority - Regulatory Totally Legal - Specialist legal jobs board for information about becoming a solicitor. Chase Portland - Recruitment services for the legal solicitors, lawyers, barristers, , legal PAs and Chambers Student Guide - Detailed information www.sra.org.uk profession including the Magic and Silver Circle firms and legal executives. and insider views on firms and chambers. US firms in London. Primarily qualified lawyers. www.totallylegal.com The Bar Council - Information about becoming a www.chambersstudent.co.uk www.chaseportland.com barrister, and access to the Bar Directory to search Simply Law Jobs - Advertises a wide range of legal jobs Legal 500 - Guide to law firms in the UK, Europe, Middle for barristers’ chambers. Hughes-Castell - Legal recruitment in Asia. including solicitor, barrister, , legal assistant, East, Africa, Asia Pacific, United States, and Latin America. www.barcouncil.org.uk www.hughes-castell.com and caseworkers. www.legal500.com www.simplylawjobs.com The Bar Standards Board - Responsible for GMK Legal - Recruitment of lawyers, professional support Lex 100 - Guide to the UK’s leading law firms. overseeing the three stages which must be completed lawyers and paralegals in the UK and internationally. Ten Percent Legal Recruitment - Legal recruitment www.lex100.com to qualify as a barrister. www.gmk-legal.co.uk agency for solicitors, barristers, paralegals, legal cashiers, www.barstandardsboard.org.uk legal executives, legal secretaries and other support staff. Lawcareers.net - Information on training contracts, - International legal and compliance Laurence Simons www.tenpercent.co.uk vacation schemes, pupillages and mini pupillages. You recruitment with opportunities for qualified lawyers, legal can sign up for a weekly newsletter. Directories executives and paralegals. GR Law - Specialist recruitment company, recruiting a www.lawcareers.net www.laurencesimons.com range of staff including paralegals and qualified solicitors. You can find copies of directories in the Law School and at www.grlaw.co.uk All About Law - Advice and information on law careers. Career Destinations, Building 37, Highfield campus. Taylor Root - Recruitment of lawyers, professional www.allaboutlaw.co.uk The LawCareers.Net Handbook - Directory of training support lawyers, legal executives and paralegals in the UK Legal Jobs Board - Online legal recruitment website and internationally. advertising a range of solicitor, paralegal and support roles. Lawyer 2B - Advice, resources and email updates for contracts, profiles of firms, pupillage directory, barristers’ law students. listing and careers advice. www.taylorroot.com www.legaljobsboard.co.uk www.thelawyer.com/lawyer2b Chambers Student Guide - Students’ guide to Hays - Opportunities for lawyers, paralegals and legal Michael Page - Recruitment agency that offers becoming a lawyer, with information on solicitors’ firms executives. Also contains information on job search and permanent, temporary, contract and interim opportunities. Portal - A resource for everyone and barristers’ chambers, including reviews by trainees. interview tips. considering a career in law, whatever their stage www.michaelpage.co.uk Targetjobs - Various publications including Law Vacation www.hays.co.uk/job/legal-jobs/ or background. Schemes & Mini Pupillages and Targetjobs Law. Spinnaker Global - Shipping recruitment www.thelawyerportal.com Prospects Law - Careers advice and information on agency including shipping lawyer and commercial becoming a solicitor and barrister. shipping recruitment. Course Applications spinnaker-global.com (for the GDL, LPC and BPTC) Legal News websites Sacco Mann - Opportunities in chartering, broking, Central Applications Board - Administers applications Gazette -The Law Society’s magazine. marine insurance and protection and indemnity. for full time GDL and LPC courses. www.lawgazette.co.uk www.saccomann.com/shipping-and-maritime www.lawcabs.ac.uk Legal Week - Legal news, analysis and jobs. Jobsite - Vacancies for solicitors, legal executives, Bar Standards Board - Online applications for the Bar www.legalweek.com paralegals, legal PAs and legal support roles. Professional Training Course (BPTC). The Lawyer - Website and weekly magazine containing www.jobsite.co.uk/jobs/legal www.barsas.com news, analysis and jobs for the legal profession. www.law.com/legal-week Lexology - Legal newsfeed. www.lexology.com

14 15 Find out more: www.southampton.ac.uk/ lawpg

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