Date

Barrister

Solicitor

Autumn

LLB final year

BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) applications – The online application system is called BarSAS at barstandardsboard.org.uk - normally open from early December in the year before seek to undertake the BPTC.

Closing date for joining an Inn of Court is 31st May of the year your BPTC is due to start, you must be a member of an Inn to commence BPTC.

Further information at LawCareers.net

Full-time LPC applications – apply via CAB: Central Applications Board Apply from September. NB No longer have any closing dates, but early application recommended.

Contacts of LPC courses

Finalise funding options for LPC.

LLB second year

Attend university law fair and employer events.
Research chambers and Inns of Court.

Research Easter and Summer vacation placements.
Attend university law fair and employer events.
Research law firms.

LLB first, second and penultimate year

Arrange pupillages to start two years from the date of application - pupillagegateway.com – from late November you can browse Gateway pupillage vacancies and access to practice application form.
Window for applications opens Early January and closes early February.

Target provide additional information on Pupillages and vacancies and also run a National Pupillage fair (normally November) where you can meet a range of chambers’ members before you start to make pupillage applications.

Can apply for mini-pupillages (internships/work experience – usually 1-2 weeks) – most applications are taken in the Autumn or Spring. The Bar Council advises mini-pupillages for insight / experience before applications to pupillages.

Vacancies searchable through:
Bar Council
Chambers Student
Law Careers
Barrister - Target Jobs

Apply for vacation placements during Christmas/Easter/Summer. Summer closing dates around end January. Check for work placement deadlines and firms offering placement schemes on LawCareers.net  and All about law.

Non-law degree final year

Apply for full-time conversion course (GDL – Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE – Common Professional Exam) application online at lawcabs.ac.uk. You should apply from September onwards in your final year at university. There is no longer a closing date for applications but early application advised. 

Listings of courses offering GDP/CPE and also scholarships on LawCareers.net

For Barrister experience can also apply for mini-pupillages (internships/work experience – usually 1-2 weeks) – most applications are taken in the Autumn or Spring. The Bar Council advises mini-pupillages for insight / experience before applications to pupillages.

Vacancies searchable through:

Bar Council
Chambers Student
Law Careers
Barrister - Target Jobs

Apply for full-time GDL/CPE applications online at lawcabs.ac.uk. 
NB – there are no longer application deadlines for either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Courses. You are advised to apply as early as possible.

AllAboutLaw has information on GDL and course options.

Attend University Law Fair and events.

Apply to Law vacation placement (important 1-3 week experience) Deadlines are now scattered between October and February. Check for work placements and deadlines on LawCareers.net and All about law. Check City Firms Training Contracts early closing dates

Spring

LLB final year

Closing date for joining Inn of Court is 31 May, you must be a member of an Inn to commence BPTC.
BPTC applications clearing round from April to August (early application recommended) online at barstandardsboard.org.uk

Apply for Law Society’s Scholarship - Diversity Access Scheme around Feb/March each year.

LLB penultimate year

Apply for vacation placements in Summer. Check Apply to Law vacation placement above. Arrange relevant work experience.

LLB first year

Get work experience (or mini-pupillage) via pupillagegateway.com at a barristers or chambers – also use personal network – family, friends, and academic staff.

Get work experience at a law firm or legal advice centre – use personal network – family, friends, and academic staff. Also contacts of local law firms: www.yell.com

Non-law degree final year

For Solicitor / Barrister entry: Contact local firms or chambers to ask for a few days' informal work experience with them, or shadow a solicitor or barrister for the day. For contacts of local law firms: www.yell.com
For Barrister entry: experience can also apply for mini-pupillages (internships/work experience – usually 1-2 weeks) – most applications are taken in the Autumn or Spring. The Bar Council advises mini-pupillages for insight / experience before applications to pupillages.

Vacancies searchable through:

Bar Council
Chambers Student
Law Careers
Barrister - Target Jobs

Summer

LLB final year

Submit documentation for the completion of the Academic Stage as required.

LLB penultimate year

Apply for Training Contracts - Many commercial law firms recruit two years in advance for Training Contracts

NB Some firms have scrapped the traditional 31 July deadline, and now use winter and spring deadlines for training contracts starting in 2020. Attend training contract assessment centres and interviews.

Non-law final year

Apply for Training Contracts - Many commercial law firms recruit two years in advance for Training Contracts

NB: Some firms have scrapped the traditional 31 July deadline, and now use winter and spring deadlines for training contracts starting in 2020.