1. Undergraduate Degree
Whilst not a qualification route, for many the first step towards becoming a lawyer is to earn a Batchelor’ Degree. It isn’t required for all the routes listed below, nor does it need to be a degree in law, but it demonstrates to firms you apply to that you have the academic skills needed to undertake the intense studies required to become a lawyer.
2. LPC
Up until the creation of SQE the traineeship was the most typical route people used as part of their qualification. If you didn’t study law at university, you’ll also need to study a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
As a trainee solicitor at Thrings you will go onto gain experience within at least three different practice areas as part of our two-year training contract, split into four six-month seats.
3. SQE
The SQE route is the newest route to qualification as a solicitor, helping to make law more accessible for those who hadn’t considered it before without the need for a GDL or LPC.
At Thrings, we provide those undertaking the SQE route with on the job learning as they complete their exams alongside two years of invaluable work experience, similar to the existing training contract route.
4. Solicitor Apprenticeships
Solicitor Apprenticeships take around six years to complete but this can be reduced to four years if following a two-year Paralegal Apprenticeship, or less if you already have a law degree.
This unique path enables people to become qualified without the need for a degree through a longer period of on-the-job experience.
5. CILEX
The more vocational route to qualification, CILEX allows people to focus their education in a specific area of the law they are interested in with more flexibility on timing through a self-led learning process.
A route taken by a mix of staff across Thrings, including many in supporting legal roles, CILEX does not require a degree, with three levels of study available and the opportunity to complete the SQE route afterwards to become an SRA registered solicitor.
Would you like to know more?
Thrings is an award-winning law firm that is ranked highly by the Legal 500 directories as one of the best firms in the UK for trainees. To find out more about opportunities within the firm, visit our careers page.
You can download a PDF version of this guide.
