Law careers are appealing options for many students deciding on what to study at university.
Law careers encompass fascinating and wide-ranging professions which have huge impacts on daily life for us all. Whether you’re buying a pair of shoes, applying for a job or ordering a coffee, most routine daily activities are governed by law in some way, shape or form. Making the bold decision to study law and pursue one of several different law careers is not one that should be taken lightly since it entails around six years combined legal study and practical legal training.
What is being a lawyer like?
The practice of law comes in many forms and the term “lawyer” encompasses a number of different law careers, including: Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, Paralegal, and Legal Apprentice.
Whichever of the legal careers you ultimately pursue, your work will involve a high level of diversity and a range of tasks, which are likely to include: Drafting legal contracts and documents; Negotiating on behalf of clients; Researching and interpreting points of law; Representing clients in court; Offering high quality and specialist legal and commercial advice.
It is vital that you know your client and understand their individual or business needs. Acting for commercial clients, for example, will involve having a broad and deep understanding of how their business works and what makes them tick. So, as well as having a firm grasp on the theoretical elements of law, you will also be expected to demonstrate high levels of commercial awareness.
What qualifications do you need to be a lawyer?
The qualifications you need to become a lawyer depends on which route into law you plan to take.
If you want to become a barrister, you will first have to complete a qualifying law degree (or a non-law degree followed by the GDL law conversion course). You will then need to continue onto the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) before you can secure yourself a pupillage, the final step before becoming a fully-fledged barrister.
To qualify as a solicitor, you will have to follow your qualifying law degree (or a non-law degree followed by the GDL law conversion course) with the Legal Practice Course (LPC). You will then carry out a two-year period of recognised legal training before fully qualifying as a solicitor.
IB Requirements:
There are no specific subjects required to study law at university. Most universities will look for essay based subjects (English and Humanities). There are 9 universities in the UK that require students to sit an admission entry exam (LNAT). They are:
University of Bristol
Durham University
University of Glasgow
Kings College London
LSE
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
SOAS
UCL
So what makes a good lawyer?
They range from communication skills (the ability to think logically and formulate arguments on paper and verbally) to people skills (working well in a team and the ability to form a relationship with your clients). If you’re considering a career in law, you must be able to:
Break down, analyse and articulate complex issues both orally and in writing
Work effectively in a team
Think logically
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Think creatively outside the box with a keen eye for detail
Solve complex problems
Think and work under pressure
Speak confidently in public
Manage high-stress situations
Research complex issues and demonstrate solid commercial awareness
Solicitor vs Barrister
A solicitor is a qualified legal practitioner responsible for preparing legal documentation, representing and/or defending a client’s legal interests. As a solicitor, you’ll provide specialist legal advice on a variety of areas of law, acting directly for a variety of clients including: Individuals, Small businesses, Large national and international organisations.
A barrister is a qualified legal professional who offers specialist advice whilst representing, advocating and defending clients in court or at a tribunal. Examples of courts a barrister may work in include: The Crown Court, The High Court, The Court of Appeal, The Supreme Court. While you’ll more often see barristers in court than in the boardroom, the role of a barrister is continuously changing and increasingly more work happens outside the courtroom.
Many barristers specialise in one area of the law, although some may have a more general practice covering a variety of areas. Examples of such areas of law include: Criminal law, Property law, Commercial law, Company law, Family law, and Employment law.
Useful Resource:
https://www.thelawyerportal.com/
Understanding the LNAT Essay Questions