Work experience for law

Getting work experience to qualify as a Solicitor is now an essential part of the SQE training, however, getting experience will also help you understand the different types of law firm, areas of practice, skills involved and essentially if this career is the right one for you.

The legal sector is no different from any other in that they seek good academic ability and transferrable skills. Many firms stipulate a 2:1 minimum requirement, others do not.

Some of the experience you gain while a student may class as Qualifying Work Experience you should check if it would count towards your 2 year total. Other experience will help you build and practice the skills required or give you exposure to different areas of the law.

Experience while you study

Look at the skills needed for solicitor roles and think about activities where you can build and demonstrate these.

Events such as the law fair employer presentations or networking events offer the opportunity to ask questions and improve your understanding of the sector.

Vacation schemes and insight days

  • For first year LLB and second year non-law offer valuable insights into life as a Solicitor.
  • These are offered during the winter, spring and summer breaks. They are highly competitive but should be applied for because they greatly increase the chances of getting a training contract. It’s worth applying speculatively to smaller firms that may offer adhoc unpaid work experience or work shadowing – they are listed on the Law Society’s site
  • Vacation schemes ViaTarget Jobs
  • Information for first years Via Target Jobs

Placements

If your course includes a placement year you may be able to find a legal placement or something in a related area.

Volunteer experiences are highly valued by legal employers across all areas, it demonstrates commitment, team, engagement and skills required to be a successful adviser (even if it is not with a legal employer).

  • Law students can volunteer with the Legal Advice Centre, which forms part of the Justice Hub
  • All students could look for volunteering that builds skills in offering impartial advice e.g. with a charity or student society or, if they have sufficient time, a Citizens Advice Bureau - CAB.
  • Develop skills such as debating with Mooting and debating societies, or with legal, political and campaigning societies.

Any work experience is valuable; remember that law firms represent their clients, so work experience in a sector related to their area of business can be very useful.

Qualifying work experience

You can still qualify as a solicitor with or without a law degree and essentially everyone must do the same exams to qualify, plus 2 years of qualifying work experience.

You can get your experience with up to 4 different employers, so this means a substantial period of employment or volunteer activity with each.

How to get Qualifying Work Experience

It is unlikely you will have achieved 2 years Qualifying Experience during your degree unless you have taken time out or have prior experience that counts.

Therefore, most students will will need to focus on getting a training contract or graduate apprenticeship with a Law firm or major employer. Some law firms may prefer you to complete a training contract even if you have completed the full amount of qualifying experience.

  • Decide if you are interested in commercial or non-commercial law and then use a site like www.lawcareers.net to look for training opportunities.
  • This can be completed with up to four organisations.
  • It can be completed before, during or after sitting the SQE exams, but must be completed before applying for admission as a solicitor.
  • This experience will need to be recognised and registered by the SRA.

The SRA expect that the majority of graduates will pass SQE1 before embarking on their main period of work experience.

Qualifying experience includes

To find out what skills are used to assess qualifying experience read the information from the SRA on the Statement of Solicitor Competence

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