Firstly, Congratulations!
Whatever your situation is, you have battled against emotions, nerves, finances and everything else that could have easily put you off taking the first step to your end goal, a law degree. Yet here you are! You should be proud.
What are your end goals?
What made you want to begin your law degree?
These are questions you could be asking yourself to help you find direction whilst you study and what you may need to put in place once your degree finalises.
Solicitor:
What actually does a Solicitor do?
Solicitors act on behalf of and give legal advice to private and commercial clients, usually specialising in one or more areas of law; for example; Family Law.
So, you want to be a Solicitor?
To become a Solicitor, (presuming you are studying your law degree already) you are already on the first stage.
The next stage, upon completion of your law degree is the Legal Practice Course (LPC). This course can be studied full time for a year, or as a part time course over a two year period.
To begin the LPC, you must be an enrolled student member of the Law Society and secondly, you must have already completed your degree.
Following this, you must complete a two year training contract, which is practical legal work within a law firm, this will help you explore the different areas of law.
You are then usually employed and work out of a law firm.
Barrister:
What is a Barrister?
A Barrister advocates in court in front of a Judge or Jury.
Actually, you want to become a Barrister?
To become a Barrister you will need to complete your law degree.
Join an Inn of Court: Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple, Inner Temple or Grays Inn.
The next stage is to take and complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), again, one year full time, or two years part time.
The third stage is to acquire Pupillage, which lasts for one year. Usually split into the first six months of shadowing a practising Barrister, then the remaining six months being practical work, perhaps even advocating yourself.
You would then apply to be based in a set, or Chambers, self-employed.
I do not want a career as a solicitor or barrister?
Then there are options. Or in fact, you have absolutely no interest in a legal career, you are here for fun, knowledge, another career destination, or any other reason
For More information on different career paths then please see the following link. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/law
The same applies, whatever your goal is, enjoy the process and I wish you well. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing, what grades they get, who knows who. This is your journey, you are in control, you can do this!
Written By: Laurie-Elizabeth Ketley
Comments