Routes Available to Become a Lawyer
Detailed on these pages are the key stages involved in becoming a Solicitor or a Barrister.
The routes are listed for both law and non-law graduates and help you decide how we can help you choose your correct path.
Routes for Solicitors
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Non-graduate |
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A-Levels |
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A-Levels |
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GCSE/Mature student |
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Degree in Law (LLBft, LLB Sand, LLB pt, LLBdl) |
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Degree |
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Enter Legal Profession |
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Legal Practice Course |
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Conversion Course (CPE, GDL) |
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ILEX Part 1 |
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Training Contract |
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Legal Practice Course |
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ILEX Part 2 |
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Professional Skills Course |
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Training Contract |
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2 years legal experience |
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Admission to the Roll |
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Professional Skills Course |
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Legal Practice Course |
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Admission to the Roll |
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Professional Skills Course |
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Admission to the Roll |
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Training contract
The training contract is a period of practice-based training for graduates. It is normally of 2 years duration leading to qualification as a fully fledged solicitor. During that period your time will be divided among particular practice areas ("seats"). Traditionally this has been 4 seats x 6 months but different firms operate different schedules, i.e. 6 seats x 4 months etc.
Professional Skills Course (PSC)
The PSC must be satisfactorily completed by all trainee solicitors during their training contract and before qualification. The PSC requires the equivalent of 12 days of full-time attendance and builds on the vocational training provided in the Legal Practice Course. It provides practical skills-based training in 3 compulsory courses plus a programme of electives.
Admission to the Roll
On satisfactory completion of the training contract you will be "Admitted to the Roll" - i.e. you will become a solicitor in your own right and will be eligible to apply for a "Practising Certificate" enabling you to advise and represent clients.
Routes for Barristers
| Law graduate |
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Non-Law graduate |
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A-Levels |
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A-Levels |
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Degree in Law (LLBft, LLB Sand, LLB pt, LLBdl) |
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Degree in any subject |
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Bar Vocational Course |
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Conversion Course (CPE, GDL) |
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First Six |
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Bar Vocational Course |
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Second Six |
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First Six |
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Tenancy |
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Second Six |
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Tenancy |
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First Six
The "first six" is the first six months of pupillage and at commencement you will be assigned a pupil supervisor who may be referred to as your pupil master or mistress. Your time will be spent observing and assisting your pupil supervisor and other barristers in chambers. On satisfactory completion of the "first six" you will receive a certificate enabling you to work on your own during your "second six".
Second Six
The "second six" is the second six months of pupillage. During this time you may have cases and clients of your own and may represent those clients in court. This is where you begin to build your reputation as a barrister.
Tenancy
A Tenancy is where you obtain a permanent place in chambers. Completion of the first and second sixes does not guarantee you a place in that set.