A career in law
Becoming a solicitor is only one of many career paths in law [PDF 37KB].
This section provides details about what you can expect along the different stages of starting out.
What does a solicitor do?
As a solicitor, you'll provide clients with expert legal advice and assistance. The best solicitors combine legal expertise with people-skills to help their clients cope with stressful situations, such as divorce, bereavement, moving house or arrest.
You could work in a law firm – perhaps even your own. But you might work in central or local government, an in-house legal department (for example, a bank or corporation), the Crown Prosecution Service or the magistrates' courts.
For further information read the first of our specialist career brochures:
A career as a solicitor in local government [PDF 194KB]
What kind of person becomes a solicitor?
A career as a solicitor will demand several qualities of you:
- intellectual ability – the law is a complex entity
- versatility – no two days will be the same
- a desire to work with and for people
- commitment – training to become a solicitor is rigorous, requiring substantial effort and resources
The Law Society’s annual statistical report, 2007 gives us a broad picture of the diversity of people seeking a career as a solicitor. Read more...
Funding and financial assistance
If you want to become a solicitor you should weigh up carefully the cost of training that's required to complete the qualification process. A number of funding options are available to you, and you can find further information in our FAQ.
Awards and competitions
There are various awards and competitions aimed primarily at students and trainees. Further information about the eligibility criteria and deadlines for submission of applications is available.
Download
For further information download the Law Society's printed guide to becoming a solicitor [PDF 788KB].