Training: It is expected for you to have a degree in Law. However if you do not you can still become a solicitor can
carry out an extra year of training covering core legal subjects then take either the CPE or GDL. Next is the one
year legal practice course. This can be a year full time or two years part time. It is practical based and includes
training in skills such as client interviewing, negotiation, advocacy, drafting documents and legal research.
However after this they are still not a qualified solicitor. Now they have to work in a solicitors for for two years, to
gain experience. During this time the trainee will be paid however not as much as a qualified solicitor.
Criticisms of the training process:
The students have to pay for the
Legal Practice Course (£12,000) and
have to support themselves through
this year. If they also have a degree
in another subject other than Law
they have to pay (£10,000) to
complete the GDL or CPE. 25% of
solicitors do not have a degree in
Law, so this poses the question of
whether they actually know the Law.
There is also an oversupply of
solicitors which means many are
struggling to get job.
Majority of those who become a
solicitor will work in a private
practice. Some may also go and
work in the Crown Prosecution
Service. These jobs may entitle
them to write letters on behalf
of clients, draft documents,
drawing up wills, dealing with
conveyancing.
Complaints against Solicitors: A client can
sue a Solicitor for many reasons
including negligence. These can be dealt
with in house, however this has been
shown to not work as fairley. Now you
can complain to the Legal Osbudsman,
set up in 2010 it allows people to
complain about their lawyer. They can
receive an apologie, their documents
back, free work to put right, refund or
have a reduced cost or receive up to
£30,000
Barristers
Training: Entry to the bar is usually degree based, they then do a year
course for the Common Professional Examination or
Graduate Diploma in Law in the sore subjects in order to
qualify as a Barrister. They will learn, case preparation,
written skills, opinion writing, drafting documents,
negotiation, advocacy and conference skills. All of the
students must join one of the four Inns and dine there 12
times before before being called to the bar. After the student
has passed the bar they will have to gain 'on the job training',
this could be the same barrister for 12 months or two
different ones for 6 months each.
Barristers work: Barristers at the bar are usually self-employed. They usually work in a set of
chambers that they share with about 15 - 25 other barristers They usually employ a clerk to handle
appointments and negotiating fees.