Become a solicitor:-
There are two key stages in the process to become a solicitor:
- Qualifications: Degree + vocational qualifications
- Work experience: 2 years legal work experience which has been ‘signed off’ as meeting the relevant criteria (there are different requirements between Training Contracts and Qualifying Work Experience so see the link below for more details)
However,
…it’s not that easy! It’s a very competitive industry and, to give yourself the best chance of success you will also need to have certain skills and qualities;
- be able to write a good application and interview well;
- have great knowledge of the world we live in (usually called “commercial awareness”);
- understand the legal profession.
The following pages (all hyperlinked) will help you with all of the above.
Qualifcations and Training Contracts/Qualifying Work Experience
Skills
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Develop commercial awareness – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Skills, qualities and essential criteria – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
Discover the legal profession
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Mentoring – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Law Fairs, Open Days etc. – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
(Make its own page under ‘How to’)
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Legal Work experience – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Marshalling – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Mini-pupillage – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Pro Bono and volunteering – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Employment opportunities – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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There are many organisations outside of the legal profession that offer a range of support from open days, workshops, application advice to work experience and scholarships. See Diversity – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
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Vacation schemes – Get Into Law (kent.ac.uk)
1st year work experience
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