Reading Law at University

& Introducing the

Legal Professions

Why do people go into law?

Aims and Objectives• Our first aim of today’s session is

to explore what it means to read Law as undergraduate.

• Our second aim is to introduce you to the main legal professions within the ELS, by:-

• Investigating the main professions• Identifying and explaining the

qualification routes to each profession

• Identifying alternative legal careers

So why is it so good?

Because it is tough it is a very well respected degree!

The subject itself is usually interesting!!!

You develop excellent communications skills for whatever career you are interested in!

How is it different to college?

There is MUCHmore independentwork! Usually only10 hours ofcontact time perWeek.

Usually about 8 hours a week of lectures listening to lectures and note taking.

The a few hours of tutorials a week in which you will need to prepare for in advance....

How do you prepare?Lots of reading and then answering questions which you will then discuss as a group. This can take up to about 12 hours per tutorial.

So what about uni…• When studying “straight” Law at University

there are some modules that are compulsory no matter which university you go to. These are:

• - Criminal Law• - Contract Law• - Public Law• - Law of Torts• - Equity and Trusts• - Land Law• - European Union Law• There are then usually a choice of modules to

choose from in addition and MIGHT include: Family/Child Law, Banking Law, Criminal Evidence, Human Rights, Internet Law, Medical Law, Environmental Law, Criminal Evidence .... Etc!!

So what do I need to get in?…

• Different Universities have different entry requirements for law. Here are some examples....

University of Liverpool: ABB

(or DDD for Btec students)

LJMU: 300 points (possibly

BBB)

Edge Hill University: 300 points or Btec

DDM

Cambridge: A*AA

Oxford : AAA(each with

additional test.)

Combined Degrees

• Law can be combined with other subjects such as Law and Criminology or Law and Business or even Law and a language.

• If you are considering a career in law just check that you are covering the 7 core subjects – this is known as a ‘qualifying law degree’.

LNAT

These Universities require it:

Check site for dates and locations Practice papers on site

Start thinking…

• Who makes up the legal profession in England?

• What do they do?

The main professions are considered to be:-

• Barristers• Solicitors• Legal

Executives• Q:- Why are

judges not included in these groups?

Barristers – General Facts

• About 10 000 in practice• Known as the Bar• Profession body = General

Council of the Bar (Bar Council)• Self employed practice from

Chambers, employed from various businesses

• Must be a member of an Inn of Court

• May be a junior Barrister or a QC

Barristers

• Before you start your professional training you must join an Inn of Court

• The course barristers must complete after degree is BPTC (usually 1 year FT)

• After BPTC must complete a 12 month pupillage (shadow a barrister) before can take on own cases

Barristers – Training Routes

Join an Inn of Court (Inner or Middle Temple, Gray’s or Lincoln Inn)Either dine x 12 or weekend course

Call to the Bar

Pupilage (2x 6 Months)

Law Graduate Non-Law GraduateNon-Graduate

Mature Student

1 year GDL 2 year GDL

Barrister

1 year Bar Professional training Course (BPTC)(Formally the BVC)

Solicitors• Over 100 000 in UK• 75 000 in private

practice• Work in partnerships

or firms (some sole practitioners)

• May be employed as junior solicitor, associate, salaried partner or equity partner

• Governed by the Law Society

Solicitors – Training Routes

Practice as a Solicitor

Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors

2 year training contract

Legal Practice Course

Law Degree

LPC

Graduate Diploma in Law

Non Law Degree

LPC

Fellow of ILEX

2 years in solicitors office

ILEX Course : 2 diplomas

No degree4 GCSE's

2 year training contract

Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors

Practice as a Solicitor Practice as a Solicitor

Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors

Traditional Route

Note

• Some Uni’s offer degrees that include the ‘Legal Practice Course’ saving you time and money

• Some LPC courses are ‘bespoke’ and tailored to working in a particular area of law e.g. business law e.g BPP University

Legal Executives

• Find out more about becoming a Legal Executive by visiting http://www.cilex.org.uk/

Legal Executives – Learn as you earn

4 GCSEs

ILEX National Diploma in Law (General principles of Law)2yr day release

ILEX Higher National Diploma(Specialise in 3 areas of law)2 yr day release

2 further years of working

Become Legal Executive (Member of ILEX)

Summary…

• In the main, there are three main professions within the English Legal System:-

• Solicitors• Barristers• Legal Executives• Judges are not normally included in

this branch as you cannot specifically train to be a judge without first pursuing one of the accepted professions.

Alternative Careers

• Policing - see degrees in policing available e.g. http://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/fdsc_policing.php

• https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2015/policing-studies

Legal Apprenticeships

• level 3 Legal Apprenticeships are available. Aimed at students who want an alternative to the University route

http://www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/Employers/Legal_apprenticeships/Advanced_Apprenticeship_in_Legal_Services

http://www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/Prospective_Students/Legal_apprenticeships/Legal_apprenticeship_vacancies

There are lots of progression routes from this e.g. Level 4 Higher Apprenticeships

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov

.uk/