Beginnersguide 2018.Pdf

2018 Your ‘first steps’ checklist

If you do decide that a career as a lawyer is for you, there are a few things you should be doing even before you start university. Here is a brief checklist to get you started:

Talk to your careers adviser at school to go through your options.

Research the different paths into law – university, chartered legal executive, paralegal, apprenticeship (read our new The Law Apprenticeships Guide) – and decide which is right for you.

Get some practical work experience at a law firm, barristers’ chambers or legal advice centre; it will help you to decide what suits you best and will also improve any applications you make later.

Work hard at your academic studies. Excellent grades are essential!

Talk to friends, parents, acquaintances – anyone with a connection to the legal profession; they may also be able to help you get some work experience.

Think about the kinds of extracurricular things you can do to make yourself into a well-rounded candidate. Think sport, volunteering, drama, music…

Sign up to LCN Weekly on LawCareers.Net. Our free weekly email newsletter will deliver news and information about the profession, plus advice and reminders throughout the legal recruitment calendar, straight to your inbox.

Read the business pages of the newspapers to improve your commercial awareness and get you starting to ‘think business’. Welcome

If you think you might be interested in law as a future career, but have little (or no) idea what that really involves, The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law is for you. The guide has been designed with people like you in mind – on the one hand, we’ve assumed no prior knowledge, while on the other, we’ve assumed you’ll have lots of questions.

Within these pages you will find information about the job of a lawyer, the differences between the three main types of legal professional (solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives), and the courses and training you need to complete in order to qualify. There is also a selection of key questions, a welcome reality check and – for those who want to find out more – ideas on some of the next steps to take. 01 The Beginner’s Guide is brought to you by LawCareers.Net (LCN), the number one resource for those interested in joining the legal profession. On the website you will find employer profiles; interviews with law firm recruiters, trainees, associates and partners; advice from LCN’s resident agony aunt, the Oracle; blogs and videos from people at different stages of their legal careers; information on law courses (undergraduate and postgraduate); and a searchable database of training contract and pupillage vacancies.

Welcome to the first stage of your legal career!

www.lawcareers.net What Solicitors Generally speaking, solicitors provide advice and assistance on matters of law. They are the first lawyers do point of contact for people and organisations (eg, companies and charities) seeking legal advice and representation. Most solicitors work together in solicitor-owned law firms, while Everyone has their favourite scurrilous lawyer others work in central or local government, joke, but on the whole it’s not a profession in a legal department within a business or made up of conniving ambulance chasers organisation, or in an alternative business and fat cats. Lawyers perform a valuable role, structure (ABS) – an organisation which provides especially as law is intertwined with every legal services in the same way as a traditional aspect of our society – from the age at which law firm, but is funded and controlled by a you can take your driving test to the speed at company (eg, the Co-operative Group). which you can drive when you pass it; from the minimum wage you can expect to earn in a new While solicitors are found in a variety of areas of job to the rights you have should you lose it. law, the fundamentals of the job remain largely the same. These include a mixture of advisory The first thing to know is that traditionally, and contentious (dispute) work, such as: the profession has had two main branches – • meeting clients, finding out their needs and solicitors and barristers. However, in recent establishing how to help; years the legal landscape has become much • researching relevant areas of law and more complex, with chartered legal executives, proposing courses of action to clients; paralegals, apprentices and more. This trend • drafting letters, contracts and other legal seems set to continue – read more about it in documents; and “Apprenticeships and paralegals” on pages 6 • acting on behalf of clients in negotiations 02 and 7 and in the companion to this booklet, and occasionally representing them at The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2018, which is tribunals or in court. available free at schools and online at www.lawcareers.net. For now, however, here Being a solicitor is a tough, but rewarding job. is a broad introduction to what solicitors and Many of those entering the profession work their barristers do. way up through the ranks from newly qualified solicitor to associate to partner. (NB The responsibilities of a chartered legal executive are Practice area snapshot also very similar to those set out above.) Below is just a small selection of the vast array of practice areas out there:

Corporate/commercial Crime Employment Family

Commercial and corporate Criminal lawyers As a solicitor, you’ll be Family lawyers solicitors advise on advise and working on disputes that deal with all legal complex transactions and represent their end up in employment matters relating act for businesses of all clients in court on tribunals or in the High to marriage, sizes, from international criminal charges Court, helping to draft separation, divorce, corporations to small start- that can range from contracts of employment cohabitation ups. General company law minor motoring or advising on working and legal issues might involve advising on misdemeanours hours. Your client could relating to children. company directors’ rights to more serious be the employer or Family law also and responsibilities, board crimes, including employee. As a barrister, encompasses meetings and shareholders’ murder. Barristers you will be appearing on financial rights. Corporate work may be called on behalf of your client in negotiations, often concerns mergers and to act for either either a tribunal or court, inheritance issues acquisitions, demergers, joint the defence or the often in different parts of and prenuptial ventures and share issues. prosecution. the country. contracts. Barristers Areas of law

Barristers advise on specific legal issues There are hundreds of different types of and spend a lot of time representing clients law. However, at the broadest level, you in court. They receive their information can divide lawyers between those doing and instructions through a solicitor and commercial work (ie, work for companies) are essentially self-employed. When not and those involved with individual people. appearing in court, they work in chambers On the one hand, you could be a banking where they prepare their court cases and lawyer scrutinising a major loan by a bank arguments. Again, although barristers to a corporation; on the other, you could work in a wide variety of areas of law, the be a personal injury practitioner advising fundamental elements of the job remain an individual who has had a fall. Different largely the same. These include: practice areas are like different jobs: very little • advising clients on the law and the connects the everyday professional life of a strength of their case; human rights solicitor with that of a corporate • holding ‘conferences’ with clients to one. See the “practice area snapshot” below discuss their case; for more detail. • representing clients in court, including presenting the case and cross- Further reading examining witnesses; and • negotiating settlements with the other Solicitors side (when a legal dispute is resolved www.lawcareers.net/solicitors privately outside of court). Barristers Upon being called to the Bar, a barrister www.lawcareers.net/barristers is known formally as a ‘junior’. He or she remains a junior until such time as he or she is made a Queen’s Counsel (QC), also Chartered legal executives and paralegals 03 known as ‘taking silk’. A QC is a senior are also legal professionals who work barrister with extensive experience who is in law firms, but the route to these jobs regarded as having outstanding ability. The does not require a university degree. majority of barristers never become QCs. Find out more about paralegals, legal executives and apprenticeships further on in this booklet.

Human rights Intellectual property Private client Public law

This practice area This involves protecting Private client Public law concerns is incredibly wide the exploitation of lawyers advise on relationships ranging and includes intellectual ideas, normally all aspects of the between people and immigration and by way of copyright, financial affairs of government. This might asylum cases, privacy trademarks and patents. clients, including mean challenging the cases affecting IP lawyers advise on capital gains tax, level of care provided celebrities and issues ranging from inheritance tax to a disabled person by international law commercial exploitation planning, setting a local authority, or on issues. Clients may to infringement disputes, up lifetime trusts a larger scale, advising range from low-income and agreements that and preparing the government on refugees and prisoners deal either exclusively wills. Private client national infrastructure through to large with intellectual property lawyers also handle development, such news organisations or with IP rights as part a wide range of as a new energy or and government of larger commercial charity work. transport project. departments. transactions. Branches of the profession

One of the key questions to address when a barrister is almost always self-employed considering a legal career is what type and connected to other barristers only by of lawyer you want to be. For many, that convenience, and a solicitor/legal executive will mean deciding between becoming a may be just one worker in a law firm of solicitor or a barrister. For some, the option thousands of people, in reality the situation to ‘earn while you learn’ as a chartered legal is less black and white. Barristers are often executive will appeal. involved in teamwork and some solicitors/ legal executives spend many hours on their Simply put, a barrister appears in court, own in a room drafting documents. while a solicitor or chartered legal executive works in a law firm. The term ‘lawyer’ The decision as to which branch would applies to all three. However, the differences suit you best rests on a number of factors are much more complex. Some say that concerning your abilities, temperament and it comes down to whether you are an – dare we say it – financial circumstances. individualist (barrister) or a team player Over the page is a brief guide with some key (solicitor/legal executive). While it is true that facts, which may help you to decide.

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Barrister Solicitor Legal executive GCSE BPTC CILEx chartered legal The foundation of your career The one-year Bar Professional executive and the essential first step – Training Course (BPTC) is the It is also possible to practise good grades are vital if you vocational stage of training to law as a chartered legal want to progress in your legal be a barrister. executive – a qualified lawyer career. (though not a solicitor) who LPC is trained to specialise as A level The one-year Legal Practice an expert in a particular The academic stage between Course (LPC) is the area of law. The route to GCSE and undergraduate vocational stage of training qualification is to complete level – again, good grades to be a solicitor. CILEx 3 and CILEx 6 (or are essential. Some CILEx Graduate Fast Track universities favour traditional, Pupillage for those with a law degree) academically rigorous Pupillage is a compulsory, and three years’ qualifying subjects such as history year-long traineeship before employment. For more info, (A-level law is not usually qualification as a barrister. go to www.cilex.org.uk. specified). Pupils practise under the guidance and supervision of a Legal apprenticeships Solicitor apprenticeship pupil supervisor. A legal apprentice is The solicitor apprenticeship someone who joins a law is a six-year programme of Period of recognised firm straight from school, paid, on-the-job training, training/training contract rather than going to integrating a law degree, The period of recognised university. He or she receives which ends in qualification training (traditionally known paid, on-the-job training as a solicitor. The entry as a ‘training contract’) is a in legal practice. For more requirements are five GCSEs period of paid employment on legal apprenticeships, graded A*-C and three A and training with a law firm or see p6 or visit our Legal levels graded C or above (or other approved organisation apprenticeships section on 09 equivalent work experience). before qualification as a LawCareers.Net. solicitor. In most cases this Non-law degree will take the form of a two- Paralegals Lawyers are not required year formal traineeship. Paralegals have traditionally to have studied law at worked alongside solicitors university! It is possible to do Barrister in law firms as support staff, a non-law degree and then Barristers offer advice although in practice many do the Graduate Diploma in on specific legal issues paralegals do the same work Law (GDL). and are on the front line, as their trainee or newly- representing clients in court. qualified solicitor counterparts. Law degree Paralegal roles provide a good The qualifying law degree, Solicitor route into the profession for or LLB, covers seven Solicitors give advice and students and graduates. For compulsory subjects: public, assistance on matters of more detail on what paralegals criminal, contract, tort, law; they are the first point of do and how to become one, property, equity and trusts, contact for those seeking legal see p7 or visit our Paralegals and EU law. advice and representation. section on LawCareers.Net.

GDL Change ahead: the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Like the law degree, the one-year Graduate Diploma The Solicitors Qualifying will be introduced in 2020. in Law (GDL) concentrates Examination is a new exam For more information, go on the seven foundations in development that all to LawCareers.Net and of legal practice. When trainee solicitors will have search “Solicitors Qualifying combined with a non-law to pass at the point of Examination”. degree, it is equivalent to a qualifying. The new exam law degree. Key questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about a career in the law. If you want to ask something not covered here, email your query to [email protected].

Why should I choose law over What is commercial other professions? awareness?

Don’t pursue a legal career for Law firms often stress that their the sake of it; you need to have lawyers need to be ‘commercially a strong desire to be a lawyer if you are aware’. This phrase can cause confusion, to succeed. Do you find law interesting? as it means different things to different Is there a particular practice area that has people. However, in essence, it means already caught your attention? Are you the that commercial lawyers deal with more kind of person who would thrive in a legal than just the law. They must understand environment? The only way to really find the client’s business and the market/ out whether law is for you is by doing some environment in which it operates, and be quality work experience within and outside proactive in spotting and suggesting ways of the legal profession. to avoid potential problems that the client 10 might face. Commercial awareness does not mean the same thing to a student as it will to an experienced businessperson. What skills and strengths do Nobody expects you to be a veteran of the you need to be a good lawyer? boardroom; what firms are looking for is a combination of basic knowledge, interest A number of core skills are and enthusiasm for commercial matters, needed to be a good lawyer – and, most importantly, the ability and many of them you can hone during your willingness to ‘think business’. academic studies and by doing work experience. The core strengths sought by legal recruiters are: How important are grades at • intellectual ability; A level and uni? • motivation; • resilience; Law is an intellectually rigorous • accuracy/attention to detail; career, which is why firms and • teamwork; chambers require excellent academics; in • leadership; fact, many simply won’t look at applicants • commercial awareness (see below); and who have less than a 2.1 degree, and As • communication skills. and Bs at A level. It is therefore absolutely vital that you get the best grades you If you have the majority of these, law could possibly can. be a good option for you! Should I go to university or try Why are work placement one of the new routes, such as schemes so important? an apprenticeship? Getting work experience at law Over the past couple of years, the firms is essential. Work placement chance to work in the legal profession by schemes (usually run during university way of a legal apprenticeship has become holidays) are a good place to start; they a real option. A small number of firms have provide an opportunity for you to find out started schemes whereby they take on about not only law, but also individual firms. school leavers to work in a role similar to that Firms increasingly rely on extended work of a paralegal, as well as receiving on-the-job placement schemes to figure out which training that takes them towards a formal candidates they really want to take on as qualification.This is something to consider trainees, so getting on a scheme is a great instead of going to university to study law – chance to impress and earn the offer of a your reasons for doing so may be financial training contract. or the more vocational training might suit you better. See the ‘Apprenticeships’ section on p6 for more detail and our new publication, The Law Apprenticeships Guide. Do law firms prefer candidates to have a law degree? 11 How do I go about getting legal Most firms are looking to recruit work experience? a balance of law and non-law graduates – in fact, these days roughly half of Work placement schemes are a all solicitors are from non-law backgrounds, great way to learn more about the while studying another subject at university profession and many firms run schemes may also help to make you a more well- specifically for first years. You can get a rounded individual. That means that if you comprehensive list of which firms are doing have a burning desire to study English what and when on LawCareers.Net’s work literature, but think you might want a career placement deadlines page. But you are not as a lawyer, it’s fine to do English at uni restricted to these structured schemes – you and convert to law by doing the Graduate may be able to get a day or two shadowing Diploma in Law (GDL). This postgraduate a trainee or associate simply by writing course squeezes the seven foundations of speculatively to firms/chambers you’re legal knowledge into one year. You then join interested in or which are local to you. You the law graduates and do either the Legal should also get involved with any university Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Professional pro bono schemes or legal advice centres. Training Course (BPTC), followed by a training Even if initially you’re just stuffing envelopes contract in a law firm or a pupillage in a set or answering phones, it’s all a valuable of chambers. But note: most firms do favour introduction to the types of work and client traditional academic subjects (eg, history or relationships that lawyers are involved with sciences) over more modern options (eg, every day. media studies or drama). Can I take a year out after uni? What’s the lowdown on the postgraduate law courses? Definitely – it’s something a lot of students do, especially if they In brief, this is the compulsory don’t have a training contract vocational stage that must be or pupillage by the time they leave uni. completed before you do either the training A year out gives you the opportunity to contract (solicitor) or pupillage (barrister). spend time making and enhancing your The LPC and the BPTC are usually one- applications. Along with gaining experience year courses, but each can be done two (both legal and commercial), travel and/or years part time, or by distance learning. charity work are great gap-year favourites – Many providers around the country offer the and provided that you end up with more to courses, including our sponsor, Nottingham talk about than the beach, they can really Law School. Alternatively CILEx offers enhance your applications. a Graduate Fast Track Diploma. Note: the SRA is introducing a new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in 2020, which will likely replace the LPC, but the Are postgraduate law courses exact timing and format of this is vague, so expensive? Do I have to pay for for now, the above remains true. 12 them myself? The total cost of qualifying as a solicitor or barrister is not to be Have all lawyers been to private underestimated. Over and above the £9,250 school and Oxbridge? per year that you are likely to have to pay for your undergraduate degree, you will have No. Most firms and chambers to pay as much as £10,920, £15,740 or fully understand the benefits of £19,070 (plus living costs) for, respectively, a representative workforce, which means each of the GDL, LPC and BPTC in 2017-18. recruiting the best candidates regardless of For this reason, it’s best to have a training background. These days, most go further contract or pupillage before embarking by establishing their own diversity policies to on any of the courses – some large firms/ ensure that they provide a welcoming and chambers offer sponsorship (usually covering supportive environment for people whatever course fees and maintenance grant) to their their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, future trainees/pupils. At the very least, socioeconomic background and so on. That you’ll have a job at the end of all the study. said, different firms and chambers do have Bank loans are usually the preferred option different personalities and it’s important to for those who self-fund; note, however, find one that suits you – a compelling reason that most banks have withdrawn the to attend law fairs, open days and get work preferential loan products that they used experience. to offer to postgraduate law students. For more detailed funding advice, look at the ‘Finances’ section on LawCareers.Net. Is the role of lawyers essentially How can I find out more? the same in all law firms and chambers? There’s lots of info out there about careers in law. Pick up a No. Take solicitors’ firms – copy of The Training Contract the work and lifestyle that you would & Pupillage Handbook (updated every experience in a large City firm and a year) or our newest publication, The Law small high-street practice are almost Apprenticeships Guide, from your careers incomparable. And it’s the same thing with service or a law fair (held at universities a London-based commercial barristers’ in autumn). Fairs are also a great place to chambers and a small regional crime speak to recruiters and current trainees/ chambers. It’s therefore vitally important pupils. In addition, check out websites that you find out which type and size of such as LawCareers.Net for news, advice, practice would suit you, by doing work features and interviews. experience and speaking to people in the profession. Only by getting first-hand experience and chatting to those in the know can you really start to get a feel for the kind of work that you think would appeal and that you would be good at. 13

What use is my careers service?

Your school or university careers service is a key resource. Some advisers specialise in the legal sector and are great for checking through Further reading work placement and training contract/ pupillage applications (or speculative CVs Got a question not answered here? Go to and letters, if you’re trying to secure informal www.lawcareers.net/information/oracle work experience). Some also have contacts to find out if it has come up before. at local law firms and chambers, so might Alternatively, email the Oracle direct at even be able to help you set up some work [email protected] for a personalised shadowing. response to your question. Reality check Academics Nothing but the best will do in this competitive market. You need to be getting excellent grades from your first In the spirit of full disclosure, there year of university onwards – arguably, your are a few things worth mentioning A-level grades are just as important when as a reminder that a legal career is it comes to applying for training contracts not all triumphant court victories and and pupillages, as anything less than As champagne-fuelled deal celebrations. and Bs may prevent you from getting past So without wanting to detract from the the first application hurdle. Most recruiters exciting and challenging career on offer, we speak to say that excellent academics here follows some food for thought… are a given, so make sure that you tick this very first box. Study and study hard.

Competition

The numbers are stacked against you – Finances there are many fewer training contract and pupillage places than there are people We cannot stress this enough – with up with the necessary to £9,250 per year undergrad fees, plus qualifications. You have 14 postgrad study in 2017-18 costing up to to find a way to stand out £15,740 for the LPC and up to £19,070 for among thousands angling the BPTC, the road to qualification is not for the same job, so make cheap and there are no guarantees of a job sure you shine through at the end of it. In addition, the minimum by being resourceful, trainee salary has been abolished, so determined and committed some firms may be paying to the profession and a trainees no more than career in law. the national minimum wage. Your ability to afford the courses and a potentially Time low starting wage must be a factor in An awareness of the pressures of time is deciding whether crucial if you are to succeed; you must to pursue law as a give the requisite amount of time to career. your future career. You must spend time researching firms/chambers you like; planning how to get work experience; and filling out, refining, checking (and having someone else check) your application forms. Start early, have a schedule and be strict with yourself. Last- minute, rushed efforts are almost worse than no effort at all. Commerciality

The legal world is part of the business world. If you harbour any ambitions to work for a commercial law firm, it is essential to develop a good understanding of the issues and events affecting Experience businesses. Read the Financial Times and The Economist from time to time, You need a combination and try to appreciate of work experience (both the appropriate legal legal and otherwise) issues thrown up and extracurricular by your studies activities to become the from a commercial all-rounder that firms/ perspective. chambers want to hire. One without the other isn’t enough; having both strings to your bow is what will help you demonstrate, in a quantifiable way, that you are a complete human being and worth Diversity the organisation investing in you as a future employee. Historically, the legal profession was overwhelmingly white, male and privately educated, and more still needs to be done to consign this unattractive legacy completely Online to the past, particularly at the senior end of the profession. This is not to say that if you 15 Your online presence may currently be don’t meet those outdated, narrow criteria, dominated by photos of debauched holiday you should be put off – quite the opposite. antics and lewd comments, and you need What it does mean is that you should to be aware that recruiters may be Googling have your eyes open to the opportunities your name! So it can be beneficial to build available. The legal profession is much, up a more ‘professional’ social media profile much more diverse than it used to be. There than your Facebook account offers. LinkedIn are also organisations which work to help is great for maintaining a line of contact with students from less-privileged backgrounds the legal professionals you will be meeting, access the career opportunities that while Twitter can also be useful to follow the law has to offer. Aspiring Solicitors, legal world’s big influencers and stay up to LawCareers.Net’s diversity partner, works the minute with the latest news and issues. for free with students And there is nothing wrong with keeping to provide one- work and your social life separate, so mind to-one advice on your privacy settings! CVs, application forms and interview practice, while also working with employers to provide work experience opportunities and improve openness. Find out more by visiting www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk. LawCareers.Net

The law is an incredibly competitive LCN is also keen to engage directly with profession and it’s never too early to start readers, both in person at the many law trying to boost your chances of success. fairs that we attend, or online via our Twitter One of the best ways to do that is to visit feed (@LawCareersNetUK) and Facebook www.LawCareers.Net (LCN) to begin your page (www.facebook.com/LawCareers.Net). online research. It’s your one-stop shop for We try to post things that are useful and/or all things law-related. of interest, and are always keen to receive feedback and comments. LCN brings you continuously updated news, in-depth features, lawyer profiles, Every LCN user also has access to a advice, blogs, videos and diaries of useful personal MyLCN account. MyLCN offers events and key dates, along with other expert practical support in the search crucial background information. Our free for a job, allowing you to save and order subscription email, LCN Weekly, highlights your research, as well as analyse your the best of the site’s continually updated experiences to see whether you have the content. There is also a comprehensive skills for success and identify areas to directory of firms, chambers and legal improve through the innovative MySelf educators – with over 1,000 organisations system. listed, LCN introduces you to all those who 16 might ultimately offer you a job. So start your research, get proactive and good luck!

If you would like more copies of The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2018 or our newest publication, The Law Apprenticeships Guide, please contact [email protected]. Your first-year university checklist You’re at university (law or non-law) and you want to know what you should be doing. Here is a brief checklist to get you started:

Keep up with the business sections on newspapers’ websites to improve your commercial awareness, but also read the more specific legal press – a couple of the more reputable broadsheet newspapers also have great law sections.

Work with your university careers adviser on your application and interview technique, and start to think about where you might like to apply for a vac scheme/mini-pupillage next year.

Get some practical work experience at a law firm, barristers’ chambers or legal advice centre. Talk to friends, family, acquaintances – anyone with a connection to the legal profession.

Go to law fairs, firm presentations and open days to meet people face to face. Think about how to stand out by asking good questions (eg, about a recent deal, case or merger).

Continue to work hard at your academic studies. Recruiters want to see exemplary grades and yes, your first-year grades do count!

Engage with some of the extracurricular options at university (eg, sport, debating, mooting or music) to make yourself into a well-rounded candidate.

Consider whether you want to become a solicitor or barrister. Read the ‘Solicitors’ and ‘Barristers’ sections in The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook to help you decide. 8166_NLS half-page ad.qxp_Layout 1 20/6/17 15:18 Page 1

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