THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HOW TO GET INTO IT The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm Career paths in the legal profession Professional training courses and funding Who employs lawyers? What to do and when to do it
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THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HOW TO GET INTO IT The slides from this presentation are available at Career paths in the legal.
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THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HOW TO GET INTO IT
The slides from this presentation are available atwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
Career paths in the legal professionProfessional training courses and funding
For more detail on these and other roles in law, see the Legal Sector Briefing at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/LegalSB
MAKING DECISIONS
Both require:• Proven intellectual ability• Excellent communication skills• Analytical skills• Organisational skills• Commercial awareness• Determination and commitment
Solicitor or barrister?
WHAT DO SOLICITORS DO?
• Work directly with clients to advise them on a wide range of legal matters
• Prepare cases – researching, drafting, liaising with other parties in the case, etc
• Attend court, and may represent clients in court
WHO EMPLOYS SOLICITORS?• Law firms – employ 76% of practising
solicitors)– Large international firms – Large UK-focused firms– National/regional firms– Specialist (“niche”) firms– “High Street” firms
• In-house legal departments in:– Business and finance (9%)– The public and voluntary sectors (12%)
THE SOLICITORS’ PROFESSION – SOME
STATISTICS• 108,407 practising solicitors• 42% of these work in London
(where 27% of firms are located)• 43% of practising solicitors are
women• 9.5% of practising solicitors are
from ethnic minority groups
WHAT DO BARRISTERS DO?
• Independent specialist legal advisers and advocates
• The majority are self-employed but work together in sets of chambers
• Others are employed in solicitors’ firms, business and public sector organisations
• Need outstanding all-round communication and intellectual skills
THE BARRISTERS’ PROFESSION – SOME
STATISTICS• 15,030 practising barristers• 80% of these are self-employed• 66% men; 34% women; 11% from
ethnic minorities• Approximately two-thirds of
barristers are based in London
WHAT THE SOLICITORS PROFESSION OFFERS
• A more structured career path• Greater security• Greater support, including continuing
professional training• Greater involvement with clientsand demands• Commitment to a firm and its culture• Team working skills• Sociability; adaptability; willingness to conform
WHAT THE BAR OFFERS
• Greater independence• More opportunity for advocacy• Varietyand demands …• Greater personal confidence• A willingness to take risks• High-level presentational skills• Flexibility and tolerance of stress
MAKING DECISIONS• Talk to practising solicitors and/or
barristers• Get work experience• Use law careers publications and
websites• Use the Careers Advisory Service!
BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER
LPC
BVCCALLTO THEBAR
TRAINING CONTRACT
PUPILLAGE
QUALIFY
TENANCY
ASSISTANTSOLICITOR
LAW DEGREE
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Solicitors
Barristers
?
PROFESSIONAL LAW COURSES
• Legal Practice Course/Bar Vocational Course• Skills-focused: preparation for practice• Coursework, practical assessments and written
exams• Last for one academic year • Available throughout England & Wales• Must have the 7 exemption subjects for entry• Apply at the beginning of your final year• Fees range from approx. £6700 to £14000
THE LEGAL PRACTICE COURSE
Stage One• 3 core practice areas (compulsory):
– Business law and practice; Litigation (civil & criminal); Property law and practice