Routes into a legal career

You don’t need a law degree to start a career in law. Many believe they’ve closed themselves off from a career as a trainee solicitor, or barrister, by choosing the wrong university course. Thankfully, there are many routes to go through, even if you have a degree in biology or engineering, or even if you don’t have a degree at all. Let’s take you through some of the terminologies and then we’ll provide you with a guide to kickstart your career in law.

• What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?

  Solicitors are lawyers who work closely with their clients, providing legal advice and advising on the best course of action. Solicitors tend to work outside of court, and are either employed by, or are partners in a law firm. Working with a wide range of clients, solicitors will normally have an area of law that they specialise in. Specialisations include commercial, contract, family and asylum. Solicitors could also work with individuals, and commercial or non-commercial organisation.

  Barristers are typically self-employed lawyers that represent their clients in courts. Synonymous with their white wigs and black gowns, they tend to be employed by solicitors to represent their clients in court. Their work can include representing their clients throughout the legal process, preparing for the case, interviewing witnesses, and presenting evidence to the judge or jury. To become a barrister, most will have to undertake a period of pupillage once they’ve qualified. This requires them to shadow a more experienced barrister to learn what they need to do. Once they’ve passed this period, they’re able to take on their own clients and become self-employed.

• What is a CILEX lawyer?

  The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) is a professional body authorising and regulating the legal profession in England and Wales. Its roughly 20,000 -strong membership comprises legal professionals such as paralegals and CILEX lawyers.

  CILEX lawyers specialise in a particular area of law, which means their line of work is similar to that of a solicitor. While solicitors normally have expertise in many areas of the law, CILEX lawyers tend to focus on their area of expertise. Once fully qualified, they’re able to undertake much of the same work as a solicitor. This could include representing clients in court where appropriate, draft wills, draw up documentation, or be involved in property transfers. CILEX lawyers must adhere to a code of conduct, and are required to undertake continuous training throughout their career to keep themselves up to date with the latest developments in law.

• How to become a solicitor

  To become a solicitor, you will eventually take the SQE route, but there are a few routes you can take to get to that point. The SQE replaced the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to create a new centralised way to qualify as an SQE solicitor in England and Wales. At the time of writing, the SQE exam costs £4,115 to take both parts. According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, of those taking the exams in 2021, the SQE pass rate for part 1 was roughly 53%, with 77% passing the second part. As such, you’ll need to consider whether this is a route you’ll want to pursue.

  If you do wish to follow this path, check out this quick guide to provide an idea of the route you’ll need to take:

  1(a). If you have already passed a UK law undergraduate degree (at a minimum of 2:2), you can move straight into taking the LLM Professional Legal Practice postgraduate course (or PGDip but this only preps for SQE 1)

  1(b). If you are a UK or international student who has passed a degree other than a UK law degree, then you can take the PGCert Principles in Law course to introduce foundational law subjects.

  2. Passing the Law LLM postgraduate course should equip you with the learnings required to take both parts of the SQE and the CPQ.

  3. Sit and pass both part 1 and part 2 of the SQE.

  4. Two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). The two years of experience can be taken at any point during the process.

  5. Apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to be admitted as a solicitor.

• How to become a barrister

  To become a recognised barrister in England and Wales, you will need to pass a few additional steps. This includes joining one of the four ‘Inns of Court’ as well as passing a Bar training course. To become a barrister, it takes five years on average. This includes a law degree (three years), one year for a Bar course and one year of pupillage. If your degree was in anything other than law, then you will need to include an additional year for the Graduate Diploma in Law.

  If you do wish to follow this path, check out this quick guide to provide an idea of the route you’ll need to take:

  1(a). If you have already passed a law degree that satisfies the academic stage of qualification for becoming a barrister, you are ready to start your vocational training.

  1(b). If you are a UK or international student who has passed a degree other than a law degree recognised for the academic stage of training (at a minimum of a 2:2), then you will have to pass a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This will provide you with the relevant skills and information you’ll need to start your journey in a legal career.

  2. Join one of the four Inns of Court. You can only join one Inn, but your choice does not limit the area of law your practice, your pupillage or tenancy. You must apply to your Inn at least 12 weeks prior to starting the vocational part of your training.

  2(b). At this point, you may wish to apply for an Inns of Court Scholarship. Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Gray’s Inn offer their own individual scholarships, and they total in excess of £4.5 million per year. Scholarships can either cover or contribute towards either your Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), if you have not passed a recognised law degree, and/or the Bar training course and pupillage. You may only apply to one Inn’s scholarship, and these are highly competitive.

  3. Pass a Bar training course, which constitutes the vocational part of your training. During this time, you will have to take part in professional development events – these are arranged by or on behalf of your Inn. Once you pass, you will be ‘Called to the Bar’ by your Inn, but this will not allow you to practise as a barrister until you pass your pupillage. You can start your first six months of pupillage before you’re Called to the Bar, but you cannot start the following six months until you are.

  4. Pass a period of work-based, practical training, known as pupillage, under the supervision of an experienced barrister. This is often a highly competitive part of the process. Pupillage is divided into a six-month non-practising period, and a six-month practising period in which you must receive at least a minimum award.

  5. Apply to the Bar Standards Board for a Practising Certificate.

• How to become a CILEX lawyer

  A CILEX lawyer is a fairly new route for those looking to get into practicing law. It still takes some time to train and become practicing lawyer, so you must be prepared to commit to this line of work. Apart from factoring in the time it takes to become a practising CILEX lawyer, you must continuously show you meet the eight competencies to keep your fellowship.

  If you do wish to follow this path, check out this quick guide to provide an idea of the route you’ll need to take:

  1(a). If you have already passed a UK law undergraduate degree (at a minimum of 2:2) you can move straight into taking either the Law LLM or PGDip Understanding Legal Practice postgraduate courses.

  1(b). If you are a UK or international student who has passed a degree other than a UK law degree, then you can take the PGCert Principles in Law course to introduce UK law.

  2. Pass either the Law LLM or PGDip Understanding Legal Practice course. Both courses will provide you with the information you need to take the CPQ, as well as the SQE Part 1, although only Law LLM will provide you with the information needed to pass SQE Part 2.

  3. Pass the CPQ.

  4. Complete at least three years of qualifying employment, of which at least one year must be served as a Graduate member of CILEX. Two years of qualifying employment must be served consecutively before you can apply to become a Fellow.

  5. Before you apply for Fellowship, you must demonstrate that you meet the eight competencies, which have been broken down into 27 learning outcomes. This is known as your Work-based Learning portfolio (WBL).

Post-graduate law courses

At Coventry University, we have a few post-graduate law courses you can choose from to help you become a trainee lawyer.

• Principles of Law PGCert – Develop the necessary understanding of law for those new to the law of England and Wales. Ideal for international students who have studied law in another jurisdiction, or anyone who studied an undergraduate degree other than law.
• Understanding Legal Practice PGDip – Provides those studying this course the information and skills needed to pass the first part of the Solicitor Qualifying Exam (SQE) as well as the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ).
• Professional Legal Practice LLM – A comprehensive postgraduate course. This course is designed for those with a good understanding of the law in England and Wales. This course will provide the information needed to pass both parts of the SQE exam and the CPQ.