Guide to career in law by

How to become a lawyer

Prospects — 2025-01-23 14:33:57 UTC

Explore the different paths you can take to a career as a solicitor or barrister, including the qualifications, skills and experience you’ll need to be successful.

Areas of law

Prospects — 2025-01-23 14:50:02 UTC

Learn about the different types of law and discover which practice area best suits your ambitions. From banking, criminal law and human rights to family, property and sports.

Video: Life as an LLB student

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:04:50 UTC

Elizabeth Joel, a student at the University of Salford shares her personal experience and provides insights and advice on navigating the ups and downs of studying for an LLB. If you're thinking about studying law, this video offers valuable advice.

Podcast: Qualifying as a solicitor: learn all about the SQE (with the University of Law)

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:11:56 UTC

Take an in-depth look at the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with Dr Jill Howell-Williams from The University of Law. Discover what it is, how it works and how much it costs.

Law Careers

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:48:25 UTC

There are so many legal careers on offer you could become a solicitor, barrister or judge but if you think outside the box you could work as an arbitrator, licensed conveyancer or paralegal.

LLBs

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:49:44 UTC

Often the first step on your journey to qualifying, LLBs are a popular choice among aspiring solicitors and barristers. Discover more about this undergraduate qualification.

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:50:29 UTC

If you want to qualify as a solicitor in England or Wales, the SQE is mandatory. Learn more about the exams, including what they cover and how to prepare.

Law conversion courses

Prospects — 2025-01-23 15:53:33 UTC

If your first degree wasn’t in law you might want to consider studying a conversion course to put you on an equal footing with those who did. Read more about available courses.

Training contracts

Prospects — 2025-01-23 16:00:24 UTC

Giving you the chance to put all your learning into practice, training contracts are the most popular way of gaining the necessary two years of qualifying legal work experience.

Podcast: Why study an LLM (Master of Laws)? (with SOAS, University of London)

Prospects — 2025-01-23 16:08:27 UTC

Dr Michelle Staggs Kelsall discusses how the course prepares students for impactful careers, the intersection of law and global issues, and the future of legal education and practice.

Legal Practice Course (LPC)

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:19:42 UTC

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the LPC is slowly being phased out by the SQE. However, it’s still available to some students until 2032.

Bar courses

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:20:47 UTC

While different providers call them different things, Bar courses make up the essential vocational element of qualifying as a barrister. Learn about what programmes involve.

Pupillage

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:22:20 UTC

The final step on the road to the Bar, pupillage is a vital part of your barrister training. Discover how and when to apply, what it involves and what you’ll be paid as a pupil barrister.

LLM degrees

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:22:59 UTC

Also known as a Master of Law, this postgraduate qualification can widen your legal knowledge and expand your industry contacts but it won’t qualify you to work as a solicitor or barrister.

Law apprenticeships

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:23:34 UTC

If you want a legal career but don’t fancy paying university fees, consider a law apprenticeship. Earn while you learn to become a paralegal, chartered legal executive or solicitor.

Law work experience

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:24:15 UTC

From vacation schemes and pro-bono work to court visits, mini-pupillages and law internships read up on all the ways you can gain essential legal work experience.

How to choose a law firm

Prospects — 2025-01-24 10:25:15 UTC

Deciding where to work is a big decision. Your options are vast and each firm has it’s unique selling points. Take a look at the things you’ll need to consider when choosing a law firm.

Barrister: Jack Meek

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:45:11 UTC

After studying LLB Law and LLM Human Rights Law at Queen’s University Belfast Jack now works as an employed barrister for the Government Legal Department (GLD).

Trainee solicitor: Faye Cooke

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:45:46 UTC

Faye studied LLB Law and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) at Robert Gordon University. She’s currently a trainee at Turcan Connell.

Trainee solicitor: Jasleen Sohal

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:46:38 UTC

Jasleen studied for a degree in history before completing a law conversion course. She is now a trainee with Womble Bond Dickinson.

Solicitor apprentice: Luke Vann

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:47:02 UTC

Having completed a paralegal apprenticeship Luke is working toward a Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship with law firm Horwich Farrelly (HF).

Masters graduate: Hannah Schofield

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:47:25 UTC

Learn more about the LLM Healthcare Ethics and Law at The University of Manchester and how it led Hannah to work as a paralegal and pursue a PhD.

SQE student: Katie Toolan

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:47:45 UTC

Studying the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) with The University of Law, Katie talks us through the necessary preparation, what to expect from these essential exams and how she’s funding them.

Trainee solicitor: Catherine Hall

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:48:00 UTC

Philosophy graduate Catherine completed the GDL and LPC with a part-time Master of Laws (LLM). She's now a trainee at Womble Bond Dickinson.

Trainee solicitor: Rory Ibbotson

Prospects — 2025-01-24 12:48:24 UTC

History graduate Rory secured a training contract with Womble Bond Dickinson. Take a look at the advice he'd give to other aspiring solicitors.

Podcast: A day in the life of a barrister: Get advice on joining the Bar

Prospects — 2025-05-16 10:57:36 UTC

Jake Newell, a self-employed barrister and member of East Anglian Chambers, discusses the challenges of law school, the role of clerks, and the importance of networking in building a successful legal career.

Addleshaw Goddard

Prospects — 2025-07-17 13:12:39 UTC

RPC

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:37:07 UTC

Dentons

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:37:40 UTC

White & Case

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:38:34 UTC

Travers Smith

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:39:07 UTC

Clyde & Co

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:39:25 UTC

Winston Taylor

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:39:49 UTC

Slaughter and May

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:40:23 UTC

Weil Gotshal & Manges

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:40:49 UTC

Womble Bond Dickinson

Prospects — 2025-07-18 12:41:20 UTC

BPP University Law School

Prospects — 2025-09-26 07:09:21 UTC

Faculty of Business and Law

Prospects — 2025-09-26 08:15:31 UTC

Kent Law School

Prospects — 2025-09-26 08:26:13 UTC

Warwick Law School

Prospects — 2025-09-26 08:26:46 UTC

Prospects course search

Prospects — 2025-09-26 10:20:59 UTC

Explore postgraduate law courses across the UK.

Working at Addleshaw Goddard

Prospects — 2025-09-26 11:38:09 UTC

Hear from Zoe Anderson, Makki Tahir, Callum Campbell and Aysegul Arkac to find out what working at Addleshaw Goddard is like.

Working at Dentons

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:16:59 UTC

Hear from Amina Belhadj, Karolina Kobialka, Rachel Smith, Alex Wendelken-Dickson, and Paige Alexander to find out what it's like working at Dentons.

Working at Travers Smith

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:21:44 UTC

Hear from trainees Sophia Adedoyin, Beryl Li, Helen Apostolides and Anton Vercruyssen to find out what it's like working at Travers Smith.

Working at RPC

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:23:30 UTC

Hear from solicitor apprentice Ava Mathias to find out what it's like working at RPC.

Working at Slaughter and May

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:31:35 UTC

Hear from Mayowa Osadiya, Jack Johnson, Florence Risbridger, and Corey Hill to find out what's like working at Slaughter and May.

Working at Womble Bond Dickinson

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:33:15 UTC

Hear from Abigail Langstaff, Shannalea Runaghan and Beth Edwards to find out what's like working at Womble Bond Dickinson.

Working at Weil

Prospects — 2025-09-29 11:35:26 UTC

Hear from Isaac Lonsdale, Megan Kelly and Antony Nwokenna to find out what it's like working at Weil.

QLTS School LLC

Prospects — 2025-10-03 07:39:59 UTC

Day in the life of a solicitor apprentice at Dentons

Prospects — 2025-10-10 13:21:30 UTC

Curious about life at Womble Bond Dickinson?

Prospects — 2025-10-10 13:25:12 UTC

School of Law

Prospects — 2025-10-21 07:33:25 UTC

Day in the life at Addleshaw Goddard

Prospects — 2025-10-21 08:23:08 UTC

Lewis Silkin

Prospects — 2025-10-29 10:01:36 UTC

Fladgate

Prospects — 2025-10-29 10:03:44 UTC

What’s it really like to train at Weil?

Prospects — 2025-10-30 13:05:01 UTC

What it’s like to train at Lewis Silkin

Prospects — 2025-11-07 08:11:31 UTC

Inside Travers Smith: Harry’s trainee experience

Prospects — 2025-11-14 09:41:04 UTC

Curious which experiences stick with Beryl at Travers Smith?

Prospects — 2025-11-20 13:24:43 UTC

Working at Winston Taylor

mattpuddy — 2026-06-25 14:05:32 UTC

Hear from trainee solicitors Ryan Lysycia and Ahmad Alattas to find out what's like working at Winston Taylor.