Your Career Options
Anglia Law School
Further details on typical roles, employers and sector trends can be found on our Employability Portal and within the Job Sectors section of the Prospects website and TargetJobs.
- Prospects overview of law sector
- Training Contract and Pupillages
- Course information for non-law students
- CPE/GDL Conversion course providers
- All about law – law careers
Go to law employer fairs and open days to meet law employers and ask questions about training, applications, and work experience.
Solicitor
Solicitors take instructions from clients and give advice on necessary legal action that they judge is necessary. Clients can be individuals, groups, public sector organisations or private companies. The routes to qualifying are set out overleaf. The following links are some of the resources available giving you greater insight into the training and role of a Solicitor.
- Prospects Job Description
- Training Contracts and Vacation Schemes
- LPC Central Applications Board
- Becoming a solicitor
Barrister
Barristers (in England and Wales) are specialists in advocacy, and represent individuals or organisations in court. The routes to qualifying are set out overleaf. The following links are some of the resources available giving you greater insight into the training and role of a Barrister.
- Prospects Job Description
- Barrister Pupillages and Mini-pupillages
- Bar Standards Board
- Joining an Inns of Court
- Pupillage Gateway
Work experience
Most employers want to see evidence of relevant work experience. Investigate the following:
Alternative careers
Paralegal
A paralegal is defined as any non-lawyer who does legal work. For law graduates not going on to the LPC or BPTC, a career as a professional paralegal is a real alternative.
Legal Executive
Changes in legislation mean that chartered legal executive lawyers are increasingly on a level playing field with solicitors or barristers, as they can now become judges, advocates and partners in law firms.
Non-Law related careers
These can involve working in positions such as a Civil Servant and European Civil Servant, Finance, Insurance, Publishing & Media, Academic, Coroner, Police Officer, Private Investigator and Community Worker.
lawcareers.net/Information/AlternativeCareers
Timetable for Entry into the Legal Profession 2016/17
Date |
Barrister |
Solicitor |
Autumn |
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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. Finalise funding options for LPC. |
LLB second year |
Attend university law fair and employer events. |
Research Easter and Summer vacation placements. |
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. 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: |
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 |
Apply for full-time GDL/CPE applications online at lawcabs.ac.uk. 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. |
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 Vacancies searchable through: Bar Council |
|
Summer |
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|
LLB final year |
Submit documentation for the completion of the Academic Stage as required. |
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LLB penultimate year |
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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. |
NB There will be major changes to the Solicitor qualification route in 2020. Check SRA Solicitors Qualifying Exam and SRA SQE - questions and answers.
Further study
Volunteering
Drop in and see us
Cambridge: Every weekday 12.00 noon – 2.00pm, HEL073
Chelmsford: Monday - Thursday 12.00 noon – 2.00pm, Tindal 2nd Floor
Contact us
Email: employability@aru.ac.uk
Phone: 01245 686700