How to Become a Lawyer
Becoming a lawyer is one of the most popular and important roles in the justice system, as you are in charge of advising and supporting your clients during their legal proceedings.
Working in the legal system can be incredibly rewarding, interesting and fulfilling. There is a range of different areas of law you can explore depending on your interests. Find out more about becoming a lawyer in the UK below with our step by step guide on how to become a lawyer.
What Does a Lawyer Do?
The term ‘lawyer’ is a broad term that refers to anyone that is a qualified legal practitioner in the UK. Lawyers are licensed to give legal guidance to clients, including individuals, private companies, public sector organisations and more.
The two most common types of lawyer are barristers who represent clients in court and advise their clients on their case, and solicitors who provide legal guidance and support for clients and often specialise in an area of law. However, the areas that a lawyer can cover are wide-ranging. Some areas of law you can specialise in include:
Chartered Legal Executives are another type of qualified lawyer that specialise in a specific area of law and support clients by explaining and advising on complex legal matters.
How Much Do Lawyers Earn?
The average salary for a lawyer in the UK is £49,592 per year, and wages can go as high as £140,000 a year at the top law firms. The amount you earn will depend on the experience you have and the area of law you are in, the location and the firm.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Lawyer?
The typical route to becoming a lawyer in the UK is through university. You will need to have relatively competitive A-Level results such as A*s As and Bs. However, if you are currently looking for university law degrees, check the specific entry requirements to determine what you need to get. When at university, the most common lawyer qualification is a law degree (LLB). You can also undertake study in another area and then take a law conversion course.
To become a solicitor, after your degree (or degree and conversion course), you will need to take a Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which is currently in preparation to entirely replace the Graduate Diploma and Legal Practice Course in law.
For barristers, the degree and/or conversation course aspect remains the same. Following that, however, you will need to pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) and join one of the four inns of court. These provide essential educational support and training for barristers and student barristers.
Which Skills Does a Lawyer Need?
Whether you want to become a barrister, solicitor or chartered legal executive, there are some essential skills you need to become a successful lawyer. Some of the main skills include:
Communication
One of the most critical skills you need is to be a great communicator. This is so you can advise clients and ensure they understand the complex aspects of the case, and communicate effectively with your team and other legal professionals to ensure everyone is on the same page
Attention to Detail
When you are going through a legal case, there can be a lot of information to sift through. Being able to pay attention to the details of a case as well as be aware of the details of what your client is saying is essential to being a good lawyer. Whether presenting information in court or just advising clients behind the scenes, acknowledging vital details is the key to success
Organisation
If you see multiple clients and take on many cases, having good organisational skills is essential. Staying on top of all your cases and the necessary information is vital, especially if preparing for a court appearance
Research Skills
Sometimes, you will need to brush up on your legal knowledge and research similar cases. This means you need to put the time in to do research, know where to look, and properly obtain the information you need
Want to learn more about the qualifications you need to take your first step into this exciting career field? Take a look at our wide range of courses and find out how we can help you today.
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