Studying a Law Degree

Law Degrees are growing in popularity and in 2003 more than one quarter of the students starting their law degrees were from ethnic minority groups.  That figure has been growing over recent years.

After a Law degree course you will have to take the Legal Practice Course which ensures you have the skills needed to work in a solicitor’s office. The course is usually one year but it can be studied part time - however student loans are not available to cover the costs of your LPC year.  Before you qualify you will need to do practice-based training – this can either be done full time over two year or part time over a longer period.  The Law Society sets down a basic minimum salary for trainees but many firms pay higher than the basic to attract the best people. 

There is competition all along the line – from getting a place at university to study law to persuading a firm to take you on as a trainee.  But some students do get sponsorship for part of their studies and the great majority of students who pass the Legal Practice Course quality and enjoy successful careers.

Society of Asian Lawyers
Sailesh Mehta from the Society of Asian Lawyers thinks many young people are attracted to studying a law degree because it offers the chance to make a difference to society.

 We are seen to be at the cutting edge of human rights and solicitors can affect changes to the law that are important to people’s lives.  Others are also attracted because it is a well-respected career that can offer good rewards. But whatever your motivation, you will need a strong will to succeed”, he said.

Black Solicitors Network. 
Yvonne Brown is the chair of the Black Solicitors Network.  The network is keen to see a diversity league table among the big law firms so that young black lawyers will know that there are opportunities open them. The network also holds career workshops and offer mentoring and sponsorship to aspiring would-be solicitors.  You can find details on their website  www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk
So if you think a career in the law might be for you, here’s a few ways to find out more.

The Law Society
Visit the Law Society’s website www.lawsociety.org.uk  Here you will be able to find out all you need to know about becoming a solicitor.

A Career in Law Advice
Try and get work experience in a solicitors office and see first hand about the kind of work solicitors do.  Talk to your careers adviser and see if you can find out if any law fairs are being held in your area.  Here you will find lots of information from different kinds of firms – as well as the chance to see about other careers in law.  Details about other career options in law can also be found at the website for the Law Careers Advice network wwwlcan.org.uk

So if you’ve got the skills and are prepared to undergo the rigorous training, then a rewarding career as a solicitor could be for you – the professional is open to all.

Article provided by:
The Law Society
www.lawsociety.org.uk 

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