how long is the course for a lawyer in uk

How long does it take to become a lawyer in the UK?

Complete a Bachelor of Law (LLB) undergraduate degree or a Juris Doctor (JD) postgraduate degree. Both courses are 3 or 4 years long. Is being a lawyer worth it UK? The role of a solicitor is highly valued and respected in the UK, and it can also be highly rewarding by working to …

Do you need a law degree to practice law in the UK?

Becoming a fully-fledged barrister takes five years - including three years for your law degree, one year for a Bar course and a one-year pupillage in chambers. Again, add an extra year for a law conversion course if your degree wasn't in law.

How long does it take to complete a legal practice course?

Nov 15, 2021 · The final step to becoming a qualified lawyer in the UK is to gain practical experience with a law training contract. This means spending two years at a law firm before …

How long does it take to become a barrister?

To become a solicitor takes a minimum of six years in higher education (a three-year law degree plus the graduate diploma in law, the legal practice course and a period as a trainee solicitor; …

How to become a lawyer in the UK?

One of the ways to become a lawyer in the UK is to become a barrister. A barrister must first complete Academic Training—meaning a law degree or an unrelated degree followed by a conversion course (or Graduate Diploma in Law). Instead of training in a law firm like a solicitor, a barrister candidate will take the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) ...

What are the legal systems in the UK?

No. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal system and courts. England and Wales share a legal jurisdiction and courts. If you want to become a lawyer in the UK, you should be aware that there is no ‘UK judicial system’ or ‘UK lawyer’. Each jurisdiction has its own distinct: 1 Civil and criminal courts and procedures; 2 Accepted professional titles; and 3 Regulatory bodies: Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB) in England and Wales, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and the Law Society of Scotland.

What are the rules for solicitors?

Solicitors are subject to regulation by specialist bodies. In England and Wales, the regulatory framework governing the solicitor’s profession restricts anyone except qualified solicitors from offering ‘reserved activities’, relating to: 1 the exercise of rights of audience; 2 the conduct of, and the preparation of documents in, court and immigration tribunal proceedings; 3 the preparation of instruments and the lodging of documents relating to the transfer or charge of land; 4 the preparation of trust deeds disposing of capital; 5 the preparation of papers on which to found or oppose a grant of probate or a grant of letters of administration; 6 the administration of oaths and statutory declarations; and 7 to undertake immigration work not included under these reserved activities.

Does Scotland have a legal system?

No. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal system and courts. England and Wales share a legal jurisdiction and courts. If you want to become a lawyer in the UK, you should be aware that there is no ‘UK judicial system’ or ‘UK lawyer’. Each jurisdiction has its own distinct:

Is there a legal system in England and Wales?

England and Wales share a legal jurisdiction and courts. If you want to become a lawyer in the UK, you should be aware that there is no ‘UK judicial system’ or ‘UK lawyer’. Each jurisdiction has its own distinct: Civil and criminal courts and procedures; Accepted professional titles; and.

Which court is the highest court of appeal in England?

The exception to this rule is the Supreme Court in London. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the highest court of appeal in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in civil (but not criminal) cases in Scotland. Each jurisdiction, therefore, has its own legal system and professional titles.

Do solicitors get regular employment?

Very often, clients do not feel they have the legal knowledge or skills to represent themselves, and so solicitors can expect regular employment.

Table of Contents

Step #2: Decide on whether you want to study a Bachelor of Laws (BBL), a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Law

The path to a career in Law (International and UK students)

There are generally four stages to becoming a fully qualified lawyer in the UK.

Next steps

We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the processes involved with applying to law school, and to learn about some of the best universities for Law degrees in the UK. You can find more detailed information about studying Law and a career as a doctor in the Subjects/Career Guides section of the Kings website.

How long does a law degree last?

Depending on the school and the location, the course usually lasts between 3 - 4 years. However, there are lawyers that haven’t studied law in their undergraduates. This is done by after completing their undergraduates, studying a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

How long does it take to become a barrister?

A law degree is an undergraduate degree rather than a graduate degree as in the US. That typically takes 3 years. Then you go through the training to qualify as a barrister or a solicitor.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree?

It usually take 3 years but on special circumstances it can take up to 4 years. If you have a bachelor's degree then you can always take the accelerated route which is for 2 year's. But I would suggest you to study in country where your degree will be valued.

Do lawyers have to study law?

However, there are lawyers that haven’t studied law in their undergraduates. This is done by after completing their undergraduates, studying a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). GDL is an intensive one year course that is required for anyone that didn’t study law before hand if they want to become a lawyer.

What to do if you don't have a law degree?

If you don’t have a law degree you must take the Graduate Diploma in Law course. With the law degree or GDL then you take the LPC (Legal Practice Course) and get training in a law firm. Minimum 3+3 (6 years). Those are minimums as it’s a competitive field.

Step one of How to become a lawyer UK : undergraduate degree

The first step to becoming a lawyer is taking an undergraduate degree. You might think that this needs to be a law degree, but that’s not necessarily the case. Here are your options at degree level …

Step three of How to become a lawyer UK: training or pupillage

As a trainee solicitor you will be employed by a law firm and you will likely get the opportunity to work in a number of different parts of the firm. This is a great opportunity to try different areas and decide which part of law is for you.

Step four of How to become a lawyer UK: qualification

Once you have successfully completed your training or pupillage you will be able to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. As a solicitor you will hope to gain a position as a junior associate with a law firm, and as a barrister you will look to find a tenancy at a chambers.

Conclusion

The pathway to becoming a lawyer is not straightforward, and can be lengthy. But, the good news is that there is more than one route to becoming a lawyer, and this allows you to bend your route according to your preferred subject of study and your preferred way of practicing.

Why Study Law in UK?

Becoming a lawyer in the UK is one of the most prestigious and highly respected careers. More than 25,000 students chose to study law in UK. Moreover, UK is considered one of the countries with the best education system. England follows Common Law which is over 900 years old and is globally applicable.

Skills Required to Become a Lawyer in UK

We discussed how there is a great demand for lawyers in UK. But with great demand comes high competition against lawyers. The acceptance rates in the top universities are lower in UK compared to other countries.

Types of Lawyers in UK- Solicitor or Barrister

If you want to know how to become a lawyer in UK, you have to first know the types of lawyers you can become.

Top Universities

In the journey of knowing how to become a lawyer, let’s first look at the top universities in UK for law and their ranking worldwide. Along with having the best law schools and colleges, these universities also rank amongst the top universities in the world.

How to Become a Lawyer in UK: Undergraduate

Here’s the step by step guide on how to become a lawyer in UK at an undergraduate level.

How to Become a Lawyer in UK: Graduate

If you want to pursue a master’s in law in UK, the minimum requirement is to hold a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB or BA Law). If you hold this degree, you should follow the given step by step guide on how to become a lawyer in UK: graduate.

Can you Practice Law in India after Studying in UK?

As we discussed, the Indian Law System is inspired by the English Common Law. Therefore, if you want to work in India after studying law in UK, the Bar Council of India recognises degrees from the following UK Universities. Indian law firms are keener on employing lawyers who become lawyers in UK.

What do lawyers do?

Many people picture lawyers as tough defenders dressed in sharp suits, pacing a courtroom. They glamorize lawyers based on what they see on television. While lawyers who prosecute and defend criminals do exist, many are involved in everyday life events like buying homes, writing wills, counseling, advocating, and negotiating.

Why Study law?

Many students choose law because they want to help people, groups, organizations, or companies solve challenging problems and manage their legal issues. Here are some other reasons students choose to study law.

How long does it take you to become a lawyer?

Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes approximately six or seven years to become a lawyer. Many countries have slightly different requirements, including shorter law schools, studying law as an undergraduate, and practical course requirements.

Final Thoughts

It would be best if you took the time to learn the law, figure out what you’re interested in, and get relevant experience so that you can be the best lawyer possible.

The Stages of Becoming a Lawyer

Graduating from law school sometimes means being chained to your books during long nights of studying at the library. (Source: Visual Hunt)

Where Can You Work With a Law Degree?

Many of those with a law degree go onto help or become politicians in the future. (Source: Visual Hunt)

The Annual Salary of a Lawyer

Lawyers are believed to be society's most affluent members. This may be true after many years of experience, however, lawyers fresh out of law school do not make as much money as people may think due to their lack of experience and accumulation of student loans.

The Bar Exam's Equivalent Courses in the UK

In other countries, such as the United States, the bar examination is taken after law school to assess legal knowledge and ensure that the law student is deserving of his license to practice law. Nevertheless, the legal system is different in the United Kingdom and no bar exam is taken after receiving your Bachelor's in Law (LLB).

How Long Does It Take To Become A Solicitor?

Training to become a solicitor is a long and difficult process. You should carefully consider whether you truly wish to become a solicitor before you embark on this path, as training requires a lot of commitment and can cost a lot of money.

Undergraduate Degree

The majority of people begin their training by completing an undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree in law should normally take 3-4 years to complete if it is being studied on a full-time basis. Part-time registration may extend this to around 6 years. Tuition fees can be as much as £9000 per year.

Law Conversion Course

A law conversion course (either the Common Professional Examination or the Graduate Diploma in Law) only needs to be taken by trainees if they did not complete a qualifying undergraduate degree in law at a university in the jurisdiction that they intend to work in.

Legal Practice Course

Legal Practice Courses aim to give students additional practical skills which they may require once they are working in a law firm. Electives on this course also allow students to choose a specialism. When studied on a fulltime basis, a Legal Practice Course will normally take 1 year to complete. Part-time options are available which take 2 years.

Training Contract

Once the LPC has been completed, students may take up a training contract with a law firm. Some students are supported through their LPC by a law firm which intends to employ them on a training contract afterwards. It is also possible to complete an LPC part time whilst on a training contract.

Professional Skills Course

The last thing that people need to complete if they follow this path towards becoming a solicitor is to undertake a Professional Skills Course. This is a short course which requires the equivalent of 12 days of fulltime attendance (72 hours). No more than half of this course may be completed by distance learning.