Steps to Becoming a Barrister or Solicitor
Date: 21/Dec/2007
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of steps but hopefully the most common.
Steps to becoming a solicitor
To access an excellent timetable for becoming a solicitor please click HERE.
Step One: Qualifying Law Degree/Non-Qualifying Law Degree
This first stage of academic training is intended to provide law students with a basic understanding of the law. In order to complete this academic stage, students must complete a qualifying law degree, which means that you must study the following seven core subjects: contract law, tort, constitutional law, criminal law, property law, equity and the law of the European Union. The Law Society and Bar Council have issued a joint statement on what constitutes a qualifying law degree. To view this statement please click HERE.
It is also possible to begin the process of becoming a solicitor by studying a non-qualifying law degree or by studying an entirely different degree. This is a route that many students are now taking. However, there are many pro/cons to adopting this route that are worth considering (please read the linked article below under the equivalent section for steps to becoming a barrister). This involves studying a one-year conversion course called the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) in which the seven core modules stated above are taught. Useful information on the CPE/GDL can be found on the Law Society website, including a list of institutions which provide the course.
Step Two: Summer Vacation Schemes/Work Experience/Law Fairs
- Summer Vacation Schemes can be important for two reasons. First, they allow potential applicants to understand what it might be like to work for at a (particular) law firm. Second, firms look favourably upon those who have undertaken work experience with them. For a good article on summer vacation schemes, please click HERE.
For general guidance on applying for summer vacation schemes (writing a good CV and covering letter) please click HERE.
- Outdoor Clerking. Many criminal law firms often seek law students to assist them with cases by outdoor clerking. This essentially means being the solicitor’s representative at court, i.e. taking a detailed written note of conferences at court between the barrister and client aswell as what is said in court and then reporting back to the solicitor on the case. It is worth contacting firms directly and inquiring about outdoor clerking. They will often ask for a CV and covering letter, and may request an interview with applicants.
- Justice Projects.There are many other ways to gain useful legal experience and insight. For example, do consider getting involved in local projects or global mission teams that seek to promote justice and bring legal assistance to those in need, such as the LCF’s summer justice mission.
- Law Fairs. Do make an effort to get to as many law fairs as possible. Regularly visit them to find out more about the firms present by asking their representatives lots of good questions (e.g. what are the best and worst things about working for...?). Law fairs are also a good opportunity for you to ‘get noticed’ and make a good impression. For information about law fairs in your area please click HERE.
Step Three: Training Contract Applications
It is important to start applications early. It is generally recommended that LLB students begin applying after their second year at University.
- For more information about the timeline for making training contract applications please click HERE.
- For guidance on how to make a good application please visit our ‘Navigating the Application Process’ page.
Step Four: Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The Legal Practice Course (LPC) is a one year full time course, or a two year part time course that must be completed before starting a training contract. Whereas the degree stage in step one is academic, the LPC is vocational. As such, the skills learned are more practical. The Law Society has set out a full list of LPC providers and has a detailed report on each one. To access this list please click HERE.
To find out more about the LPC, please click HERE.
There is a substantial financial cost involved in studying the LPC. You may be eligible for scholarships or bursaries. To find out more, please click HERE.
Step Five: Training Contract
A training contract will normally last for two years, and over this period of time, trainees will usually gain experience in at least three areas of law. To find out more about training contracts, such as what trainee solicitors actually do, please click HERE.
Step Six: Admission to the Roll of Solicitors
After having completed the above five steps, the only step remaining is admission to the Roll of Solicitors. The Roll is a list of all the solicitors of the Supreme Court, and it is governed by the Solicitors Act 1974. There are a number of formalities that must be completed before admission to the roll. These will include applying for a standard disclosure form from the Criminal Records Bureau. Towards the end of a training contract (with approximately 6-8 weeks remaining) an application form is sent to trainee solicitors in order to make a formal application for admission to the roll. Do be aware that there is a standard charge for such an application. Upon acceptance to the roll, newly admitted solicitors receive an admission certificate.
Steps to becoming a barrister
To access an excellent timetable for becoming a solicitor please click HERE.
Step One: Qualifying Law Degree/Non-Qualifying Law Degree
As with step one for becoming a solicitor, be sure to complete a ‘qualifying’ law degree or CPE/GDL. There is a debate as to whether it is better or not to have done a three year law degree or a non-law degree and the CPE/GDL. To find out more about the pros/cons of each please read the PDF article from Counsel magazine at the bottom of this web page.
Step Two: Mini-pupillages
Mini-pupillages are useful for two resaons. First, a mini-pupillage should provide a greater understanding of life as a barrister. Second, it can assist candidates in deciding to which chambers they should apply. The most efficient way to enquire about mini-pupillages is to research them first online and if necessary contact the appropriate person by telephone to find out the application process. Some chambers will ask for a CV and cover letter. For general guidance on applying writing a good CV and covering letter please click HERE.
The following link provides a list of chambers throughout the country and in each chambers profile it is made clear whether or not mini-pupillages are available, and if so, whom to contact: Chambers offering Pupillage and Mini-Pupillages.
Be warned some mini-pupillages are assessed and are in essence the first part of a pupillage inteview.
If you desperately need a mini-pupillage the best approach is to make a list of 20-30 sets of chambers that you are interested in and call the appropriate person for each set in one day. Even if they are full for the time you have requested, ask to be put on their reserve list, in case someone else drops out.
Step Three: Pupillage Applications
It is sufficient to say that pupillage applications should be started as soon as possible, typically in the final year of undergraduate study for a LLB student.
For guidance on how to produce a good application please visit our ‘Navigating the Application Process’ page.
Step Four: Join an Inn
Students must join an Inn before being called to the Bar, although many students choose to do this in their final year of undergraduate study. There are four Inns: Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Lincoln‘s Inn and Gray’s Inn. This is a very traditional aspect of the Bar. Students must take part in twelve ‘qualifying sessions’ (posh dinners) at their Inn, before being called to the Bar. Each of the Inns are slightly different, and in making your choice, do bear in mind the scolarships (criteria, number and amount) they are prepared to offer! For more information on how and why you should join an Inn, and what benefits they can offer, please click HERE.
Step Five: Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
The BVC is designed to equip students with some of the necessary skills to practice as a barrister (e.g. the art of advocacy). Several institutions across the United Kingdom provide the course. For more information, including a list of providers, please click HERE.
Step Six: Call to the Bar
After successfully completing the BVC, and having attended all twelve qualifying sessions, students apply to be called to the Bar by their Inn. This involves a very traditional ceremony where all students must wear the full attire of a Barrister!
Step Seven: Pupillage
A pupillage is a twelve month period of training divided into two parts. In the first six months pupils shadow their pupil supervisor and in the second six months pupils practice on their own. For more information on pupillage please click HERE.
Step Eight: Tenancy
Becoming a tenant simply means being invited to join a chambers. Obtaining a pupillage is no guarantee of tenancy. Chambers will very often offer more pupillages than tenancies. As such, any student failing to obtain a tenancy upon completion of pupillage will have to seek a third six pupillage at another Chambers.
Transfering from one branch of the profession to the other
It is becoming increasingly common for lawyers to ‘cross-qualify’ and to switch from one branch of the profession to the other.
- For information on transfering from solicitor to barrister please click HERE.
- For information on transfering from barrister to solicitor pleaseclick HERE.
Funding
Becoming a solicitor/barrister is very expensive, and so it is wise to make plans to secure funding for the rather long road ahead. There are a number of options available to students in this regard. There are potential sponsorship schemes, grants and several banks offer loans specifically for students undertaking the LPC and BVC.
