Fortunately for
anyone who wants to become a solicitor there are quite clear routes to getting
a job. Providing you put in the time & effort you should be able to become
a solicitor & get a law job.
In order to train to
become a solicitor there are some unavoidable prerequisites. The simplest path
is to gain is a law degree from an accredited university. Once you have
completed your degree in law you are perfectly qualified to begin the process
of becoming a lawyer.
However, often people
are unsure of their career intentions when they choose their subject of study
at university. This needn’t be a problem though, anyone with a degree should be
able to carry out a one year conversion course. This builds on experience you
have gained in your current degree but introduces you to all aspects of law
& the knowledge you would need to train to become a solicitor.
If you don’t have a
degree this doesn’t prevent you from becoming a solicitor. Provided you have
some extensive legal experience, such as working for a law firm in a non-legal
position you may be qualified by experience. The route to becoming a solicitor
is slightly different to those taken by graduates but the Institute of Legal
Executives provide a combination vocational & comprehensive academic
courses to prepare you to become a solicitor.
No matter which route
you take to get to this stage now everyone is required to take the Legal
Practice Course (LPC) which takes one academic year, if you are working full
time or two for those studying part-time. Places on the course themselves can
be quite competitive at the most highly regarded institutions &
universities but you wouldn’t be hugely disadvantaged by taking the course
where ever is most convenient.
Once you have
completed the LPC, aspiring solicitors are required to apply for two year
trainee positions at a legal firm or an organisation like the Crown Prosecution
Service. Competition for these positions is high, especially at the top law
firms. It’s vital to polish your CV & brush up on your interview skills to
make the best impression.
Though the training
courses & exams are finished, during the traineeship you will still have to
pass the Professional Skills Course (PSC) before you can become a solicitor
proper. The course takes an equivalent 12 days & covers three compulsory
courses plus a number of elective courses.
Once you’ve ticked
off all these boxes on your to do list you will have your “Admission to the
Roll” you can apply for a “practising certificate” which enables you to offer
legal advice & represent your clients.
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Robert Proctor is
part of Legal Week Jobs, a website specialising in legal jobs and recruitment including graduate,
legal secretary, solicitor & trainee solicitor jobs. For more
information please visit Legal Week Jobs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Proctor |
It can be very hard to get in as a trainee solicitor. For job hunting advice and cv tips visit http://www.accelerated-ideas.com/cv-tips/default.aspx
Posted by: Susan | May 06, 2009 at 08:09 PM