Law offers a variety of successful careers which are attractive to many, not all the lawyers in the UK have a degree in Law with 18.5% of a 7,000 strong poll admitting they had a degree in another area and 23% transferring from other careers. The industry is growing rapidly and continuing to look for skills offered from a range of backgrounds and different countries.
If you are a non-law graduate, you can undertake a ‘Graduate Diploma in Law’ as an alternative way to qualify. It is also known as the Common Professional Exam or a Law Conversion course and allows graduates with a non-law degree to ‘convert’ their existing education with a one year course.
Even if you have completed a law degree or qualification you will still be required to complete a ‘Legal Practice Course’. The LPC is the last compulsory academic qualification before becoming a solicitor. The qualification ensures trainee solicitors have the knowledge and skills they need. This course can be taken all over the UK and takes one year full time. Before becoming a fully qualified solicitor you need to under take a two year ‘Training Contract’ which is usually a paid position and involves practice based learning.
If you are from outside the UK but within the EU there are a range of rules you must follow if you are a qualified lawyer from and wish to practice law in the UK. Otherwise EU member states are free to do business and offer legal services amongst themselves.
Qualified Lawyers from outside the EU who wish to practice Law in the UK must first get hold of a ‘Certificate of Eligibility’ from the Law Society of England and Wales and then sit the ‘Qualified Lawyers Test’. The QLT is a test which permits foreign lawyers to practice in the UK. To be considered for the QLT you must have over 2 years legal practice experience of which at least one year must have been gained by practising the law of England and Wales, supervised by a solicitor who has been admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales.
If you are looking for the best legal recruitment then get in contact with Saccomann for help getting the best legal jobs