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Planning how to become a lawyer in the UK is the start of a journey that will take significant effort, but could lead to a rewarding, fulfilling career.
It takes complete dedication together with strong academic performance and hands-on practice. Both solicitor and barrister roles constitute the core lawyer professions within UK legal practices.
A solicitor delivers legal advice and manages clients’ interests, while a barrister serves as a court representative who provides expert advocacy support.
This guide provides useful information to help you understand better what is required when planning how to become a lawyer.
Students who want to learn the path toward becoming lawyers must achieve the proper qualifications through their studies.
You usually need three A-Levels and in addition, to study law at some universities, you need to pass the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT).
Typically students must begin with an undergraduate degree for their initial education. The degree is often called the LLB (Latin Legum Baccalaureus, a.k.a. Bachelor of Laws) is a common choice. But a law degree is not essential for legal practice.
Traditionally, students with degrees outside law enroll in the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) as this program gives them essential legal basics for their professional training… But there’s a caveat, which we’ll come to shortly.
Students would need three years to complete their law degree in the UK but the GDL is a one-year transition program. The training requires this theoretical knowledge acquired from these educational qualifications, commonly called the ‘law conversion’ course.
However, the GDL was only available for candidates starting or accepting a place before a certain date – 1 September 2021. Now it’s the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).
Those seeking solicitor career paths after academic studies need to complete a qualifying exam, which is also changing.
The new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is replacing Legal Practice Course (LPC) routes, with the transition due to be complete by the end of 2032.
The new SQE splits into two parts that evaluate legal knowledge in SQE1 combined with practical skills testing during SQE2.
Solicitor hopefuls need to fulfill the SQE requirements along with performing two years as qualifying work experience (QWE). You can acquire QWE experience through working at a legal clinic or obtaining a law firm training contract or an in-house legal position.
After satisfying all the requirements, you move onto the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) qualification process.
Confused by the changes? Here’s a useful summary from LawCareers.Net… Under the new rules, there are four things you need to qualify as a solicitor:
That means technically you can become a solicitor without a law degree, nor the new PGDL – but in practice, 98% of law firms expect non-law graduates to take a conversion course. A piece of research from the University of Law and Legal Cheek confirms this.
For those considering how to become a barrister, the path is slightly different. After completing a law degree or conversion course, the Bar Training Course (BTC) is next, formerly known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
Again, confusingly, you may also see the BTC called different things, depending on the provider:
This course focuses on advocacy, ethics, and legal practice. After passing, individuals must secure a pupillage – this is a year-long training period under an experienced barrister:
Upon successful completion, in the UK they can apply to be ‘called to the Bar’ by one of the four Inns of Court: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, or Middle Temple.
Alternatively, if you’re already a solicitor, you can apply to become a barrister with approval from the Bar Standards Board and sit a Bar Transfer Test.
Understanding the timeline needed to become a lawyer is one of the leading inquiries regarding this profession. The duration to become a lawyer depends on which professional route you select.
A standard three-year degree precedes the SQE training which takes one to two years based on individual speed. After completing two years of QWE you can expect the total process to span from five to seven years.
In order to become a barrister individuals need to complete a three-year law degree followed by a combination of a one-year BTC and one-year pupillage resulting in a total duration of five to six years.
The process to obtain a pupillage may require extra time since entry competition remains fierce.
A law degree at university is only one possible method of attaining legal qualifications.
Law professionals without formal legal qualifications can pursue a CILEx career path to qualify. An individual who is a chartered legal executive can transition to solicitor status through supplemental training coupled with evaluation.
Other legal roles include court legal adviser and Crown prosecutor.
Anyone looking to become a lawyer in the UK must gain practical experience. Most legal institutions seek job applicants who possess exceptional legal abilities together with practical workplace experience.
Legal students benefit from placements at work along with vacation schemes in addition to pro bono opportunities that help them gain professional experience and commitment credits.
Future lawyers need to develop essential skills which include research abilities alongside analytical thinking capabilities together with proficient communication skills.
Law students can obtain important information about the profession by taking part in mock trial events together with legal research tasks and internships at legal advice centers.
Networking plays a vital role in securing opportunities in law. Joining professional organisations, such as The Law Society for solicitors or The Bar Council for barristers, can help build connections.
Attending legal events, seminars, and networking evenings allows aspiring lawyers to meet experienced professionals who can offer guidance and potential career opportunities.
Planning how to become a lawyer is to prepare for both academic dedication and practical experience.
Whether following the solicitor or barrister route, aspiring legal professionals must commit to years of study and training. With determination and the right guidance, a successful legal career is within reach.
Not sure about becoming a solicitor or barrister yet? Check out our other career guides:
A well-structured CV is crucial for securing training contracts, pupillages, and legal roles. It should highlight academic achievements, legal experience, and transferable skills.
A strong personal statement demonstrating commitment to law and detailing relevant experience can help applicants stand out. Find out how to write a law CV.
PurpleCV specialises in helping aspiring lawyers create professional CVs that showcase their skills effectively. A well-written CV tailored to legal recruiters can make a significant difference when applying for competitive roles in the industry.
For those starting their journey, PurpleCV offers expert support in creating strong CVs tailored to the legal sector. A well-crafted CV can enhance job prospects and improve the chances of securing essential training and employment opportunities.
Check out our CV writing service and for any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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