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Impartial, practical and expert legal careers advice to non UK nationals interested in studying and practising law in the UK
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LawBritannia couk
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Ask the Careers Adviser |
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 Why wait for a careers appointment? Ask the LB Adviser for fast, free, confidential and expert advice
Use our online question form or
Email Abigail at adviser@lawbritannia.co.uk
We aim to personally reply to your emails within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifying in the UK
Specific Areas of Law
Interviews and Applications
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Would it be best to avoid disclosing the fact that I have previously applied to some law firms - I don't want my previous application to have a detrimental effect on my new application.
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Some firms do ask applicants whether they have applied before and you should always try to be honest in answering this question.
The quality (or not!) of your previous application will not make a difference to how your current application is viewed. Firms simply ask this question, so that when you come to interview, they can compare what you have done since your first application and quiz you on your choices of say, your course, since then. If you had done nothing to further your application with additional training and / or work experience then that might work against a new application but now you have your results of your LLM you have something to add.
And of course, as you were unsuccessful the first time make sure you take longer and harder to think about your applications. This section of our website will help you:
http://www.lawbritannia.co.uk/ApplicationForms.htm
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How much legal work experience do law firms like to see?
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Whilst there is no bench mark as to how much legal experience you must gain before securing a training contract you must see your application from the perspective of a firm. Questions about your decision to become a solicitor are guaranteed to come up in an interview and you will need to demonstrate that you have made an informed choice about your career choice and that you can demonstrate that you know what a lawyer actually does in the UK.
Legal experience is of great interest to legal employers and shows commitment to the sector, so highlighting this in your answer will greatly impress a firm. Firms offer vacation placements for two or three week's duration giving you the opportunity to find out more about life as a solicitor and also the firm. Schemes can run during the Summer, Easter and Christmas vacations and although we are sure you'd rather have a holiday these opportunities are useful not only to gain legal experience but also some firms guarantee an interview for a training contract if you have taken part in a vacation scheme. In addition, pro bono work (legal work done without charge) such as offering advice to charitable and community organisations, as with vacation schemes, is useful for developing your legal skills of analysis and interpretation, but also personal skills of argument and public speaking.
You need tangble evidence that you have been proactive in your research.
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 Dear Advisor,
APPLICATION FORMS |
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Q. Do I need to have secured a place on GDL or CPE course BEFORE you apply for a training contract?
You do NOT need to have secured a place in the GDL before applying for training contracts. As many of the top firms offer funding for the GDL and recommend which law school you accept, many students would have already applied for places and are basically hoping to receive an offer of a training contract and back payment of fees (some firms have already recruited).
You may be now too late for places on a full-time GDL course starting this year, there may be a few places left and you could also consider part-time study: www.lawcabs.ac.uk .
Many students do take a gamble and pay for the GDL themselves - using the benefit of the law school's careers service to make training contract applications either before or during the GDL. For other sources of funding:
www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Researching.htm#funding
Passing the required law courses including the Legal Practice Course does not guarantee that you will gain a training contract. Even if you have had much experience in your home country, finding a training contract can be a long and frustrating task. Just to give you an idea of what lies ahead, in 2002/03 there were 7919 students taking the LPC whilst there were only 5385 registered training contracts.
We have included these statistics not to put you off a career in law but to demonstrate to you just how well you need to market yourself to firms in order to stand out from the crowd. International students are and will continue to be highly prized in the legal recruitment market and LawBritannia exists to help you succeed.
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Q. My covering letters all seem the same – should I mention firm's clients to make them more personal?
A. Certainly you can mention clients to show individual research on the firm but make sure you do not just tell them who their clients are. You will need to select clients that you are justifiably interested in perhaps from previous experience in your work history. Remember your covering letter is there to sell your experience and how it matches with the firm and not necessarily an opportunity for you to list their clients, work areas etc. all of which they already know.
What they really want to know is that you have thought about your experience and how that fits in with what they do - not only what they can offer you but also what you can offer them. If you are applying to similar firms then of course your letters may not vary that much so do not worry too much.
Also think about:
- What initially attracted you to the firm? Reputation - what does the legal press say about them, what do trainees you meet tell you?
- Have they won any awards, take part in any pro bono schemes that caught your eye?
- Have you had any experience or seen first hand what a lawyer actually does at this firm? What did you specifically enjoy about this experience?
- Have you had personal experience of the firm – through family or friends? What have they specifically told you about the firm that interested you?
- Has your law course or degree furthered your interest in a particular area of law?
- Have you had any relevant experience that has developed skills that would be easily transferable to particular area of law at this firm?
- Are you from a country that the firm has offices or clients in?
- Have you met representatives of the firm at open days (for example).
- What was it about them that made you investigate further?
- Was there something specific that interested you about their website or brochure?
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Complete Guide for only 12.99
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Complete Guide for only 12.99
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Complete Guide for only 12.99
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Complete Guide for only 12.99
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Dear Advisor,
Where is the best place to study the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test? |
Both the College of Law and BPP Law School have good reputations and either one would be a good place to train. Unfortunately as we are impartial here at LawBritannia.co.uk we would not want to favour one law school over another but would encourage you to research each of the law schools to make sure what they do best suits you.
You can visit the school's own website for details of courses and to download brochures. You should also seriously consider attending open days and law fairs to meet students and staff as well as to actually see the school before you hand over any money. Through this personal contact with the school you can ask questions relevant to your specific needs.
If visiting the school is out of the question then be sure to contact the school with all your questions via telephone or email, do not be afraid to ask as you should do as much research as possible before deciding where to spend time studying.
To help you with your UK Law school search, LawBritannia has collated information on the UK's top law schools offered by readers this may give you some insight: www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Courses2.htm
You can qualify as a solicitor even if you have not studied a law degree - you are able to bypass an LLB (law degree) and do the fast track Graduate Diploma in Law before completing the Legal Practice Course followed by a two year apprenticeship (training contract) within a firm. For full details about qualification please click this link http://www.LawBritannia.co.uk/How2.htm#uknon
The GDL enables students without a law degree or UK law degree to 'convert' their existing education to law and enable progression on to the LPC (the next stage of qualification). The course is offered at institutions across the country and takes one year (full time) or two years (part-time). You need to take this course in order to practice as a solicitor in the UK. Applications for full-time courses are made centrally to the Central Applications Board. Forms can be downloaded from www.lawcabs.ac.uk , or completed online. Applications for part-time courses should be made directly to the relevant college. Application forms (for full-time courses) are available from November in the year prior to you requiring a place. For example, to start the course in September 2008 you must make your application by February 2008 (first round). You may find our review of courses and law schools useful as well: www.LawBritannia.co.uk/Courses.htm
These websites give you details about the pay and commercial solicitors are the biggest fee earners - visit www.rollonfriday.com/insideinfo_city.htm for information on salaries in the top firms which can range from £30 - 90,000 on completion of your training contract. There is also a list you can download here: www.chambersandpartners.com/chambersstudent/pdf/Student%202005_salandben.pdf
• www.legalweek.net
• www.lawcareers.net
• www.chambersandpartners.com
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I have recently graduated from college in the US, and would like to study law in the UK. What is the process for doing so, and how long does it take to finish and begin to practice. Also, as i will be moving there with my wife, are lawyers paid well in the UK? |
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As an overseas qualified lawyer
In order to practice here as a solicitor (in England and Wales) you must sit the Qualified Lawyers Test.
The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) is a conversion test which enables lawyers qualified in certain countries outside England and Wales such as USA, Europe, Israel, Australia, Nigeria, India and South Africa as well as UK barristers, to qualify as solicitors. This is offered at various institutions around the UK as well as test centres around the world. The test covers four subjects (Heads) including property, litigation and professional conduct.
Before sitting the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from The Law Society of England and Wales. This can take six to eight weeks to process. The certificate confirms which Heads must be passed and any requirement for further training. This will vary according to the primary jurisdiction of the applicant. In addition, qualified lawyers from outside the European Union are also required to satisfy the Law Society that they have gained two years of common law experience within the past five years; such experience must have been undertaken in three areas of common law and must have covered contentious and non-contentious areas of practice.
Visit the Law Society's website for more information and all the application forms you need: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/becomingasolicitor/outsideengandwales.law
After studying a law degree overseas
If you wish to qualify in England & Wales as a lawyer you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course. The LPC is the final qualification needed to become a solicitor in the UK and is a practical course designed to ensure trainee solicitors have the knowledge and skills they need. The course is offered at institutions across the country and takes one year (full time) or two years (part-time).
Before starting a Legal Practice Course (LPC) programme of study, you are required to enrol as a student member of the Law Society and obtain written confirmation from the Law Society that you have completed the academic stage of training i.e. that the Law Society recognises your law degree as an UK equivalent.
For more information visit info.services@lawsociety.org.uk or tel +44 (0)1527 504433.
You may also find our review of courses and law schools useful as well. Each law school will have its own criteria for accepting applications but usually good academics and a keen interest in law should be enough.
For more advice about how an international experience can aid your applications visit: www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Why.htm Top
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Dear Advisor,
How do I qualify as a UK Solicitor? |
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Dear Advisor,
What GCSEs do I need to take if I want to become a lawyer? |
It does not matter what subjects you do for GCSE but academic ability is vitally important for top commercial firms and choices around A levels become important.
Each law firm will have their own requirements for A level grades and degree classification but if you are intending to apply to a top law firm then we would say that she needs a minimum of AAB at A level and a 2.1 at degree. The subjects taken at A level should be the more academically rigorous ones such as History, Languages, Science etc.. as 'softer' subjects such as Drama and General Studies are not taken that seriously by the top firms.
You do not need to take A Level law and you can even select a degree in a non law subject and then convert your degree in to a law degree at postgraduate level. Click here for more information on this route to qualification and what courses you will need to take in the future.
It is never too early to gain legal experience and perhaps you could contact local firms and / or courts to do some work experience - just to make sure you really are interested in law. As you have a few years nothing needs to be set in stone now so look closely at the career (and others) - and work hard for good A level results!! Top
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Dear Advisor,
What is the difference between company, commercial law and corporate law and on average what is the pay like? |
Commercial law is a broad term that encompasses the buying, selling and financing of businesses and there are major firms that operate in this sector. Magic Circle is a term which is used to refer to the top five UK law firms: Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Slaughter and May. Last year, The Lawyer reported that the magic circle accounted for 32 per cent of billings of the entire The Lawyer 100 . A broader term such as City or commercial firm is applied to most large commercial firms. As of July 2005 the top ten firms based in London, UK are (based on number of fee earners ): Allen and Overy LLP, Clifford Chance LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, Herbert Smith, Lovells, Norton Rose, Slaughter and May, Denton Wilde and Sapte, CMS Cameron McKenna.
Company lawyers advise on directors' rights, board meetings, secretarial matters and shareholders' rights whereas corporate lawyers deal with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures, takeovers, equity financings, privati s ations, issues of shares etc. Visit www.lawcareers.net/Solicitors/Specialisations/companycommercial.aspx for more detailed information.
Obviously this is a very basic description so in addition - why not have a talk with your careers service and lecturers on your course; many of them may have worked in commercial law and be able to give you an insider view of what they actually did on a day to day basis. There is also an opportunity to talk to solicitors whilst completing work experience and / or attending law fairs - try to do as much first hand research as possible. This will not only help you to decide which area of law is for you but also look really god on your applications when you come to apply to training contracts. Firms want to see that you have made an informed choice about which firm and area of law you are intending to practice in - so get applying for vacation placements (check our latest newsletter for information on deadlines coming up) .
To find out which firms handle commercial law and their clients will take a little research on your part; luckily here are a lot of sites that offer advice about different sectors of law - these ones should get you started:
These websites also give you details about the pay and commercial solicitors are the biggest fee earners - visit www.rollonfriday.com/insideinfo_city.htm for information on salaries in the top firms which can range from £30 - 90,000 depending on how qualified you are. There is also a list you can download here: www.chambersandpartners.com/chambersstudent/pdf/Student%202005_salandben.pdf
In addition check out your careers library for these useful books or go to:
www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Books.htm
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Dear Advisor,
I have just been accepted to study law in the uk, What is the required mark for first year law students to advance on to the next year (A,B,C,D). What r the grading schemes in a language that is understandable to me as a canadian. |
The pass grade needed to progress on to the next year does vary slightly from institution to institution. Most universities will provide you with course grades and assessment criteria at the beginning of term in a student handbook.
In general Degree courses are graded (from lowest to highest):
- Third Class Honours (3rd)
- Second Class Honours (2:2)
- Second Class Honours (2:1)
- First Class Honours (1st)
Degrees and course assessments are usually marked in percentages and although it varies slightly from university to university generally to obtain a 1st you will need to gain over 70%; over 60% for a 2:1 and over 50% for a 2:2. Most commercial firms expect applicants to have at least a degree classification of 2.1 (this usually equates to a US 3.5-3.7 on the GPA scale).
More information on the UK Education System can be found in our publications
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Dear Advisor,
My educational background is somewhat different from the mainstream applicant in the UK , do you think I will have any difficulty in obtaining a contract from a UK firm? |
There is a very short answer to your concerns regarding not having a UK based education - do not worry!
With international qualifications initially you should contact firms direct to check whether there is any specific way they would like you to present your overseas qualifications, how much detail is needed, and whether the employer wants you to add a 'comparable UK equivalence' alongside your overseas qualification on your application forms.
Most firms will ask you to list your qualifications using the proper qualification title (or an English translation of this) and include the grades you achieved. If you apply online many of the large commercial firms will have space or a menu of qualifications from around the world for you to include your qualifications rather than convert them to a UK equivalent. For your application, converting your academics does not have to be an exact science.
Always try to provide full details of the actual qualifications gained, providing the actual qualification title or phonetic transcript of the qualification, e.g. 'Baccalaureate', as well as full details of the grades you achieved. If you know that in your country/at your university, a Grade A is achieved only by the top 5% or a Grade B+ by the top 15%, then you should add this information as a benchmark for the standard you have achieved (space permitting).
Many top 100 firms have international departments within their London Offices (or be able to call partner offices in your home country) that can translate degree results for themselves. Firms are so used to applications from international students that they do not expect everyone to fit the UK 'model' and in fact your international education and work experience can only add to your applications.
For more advice about how an international experience can aid your applications visit:
www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Why.htm
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Complete Guide for only 12.99
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Dear Advisor,
I was wondering if you could offer me advice. I am the midst of applying for vacation placements and training contracts. I have been invited for interviews with two big city firms for an Easter vacation placement. My conflict is whether I should wait until I complete these vacation placements before I apply for training contracts to other firms (in order to have some legal experience on my CV) or should I apply before I complete the Easter vacation placement to ensure that my application gets in earlier (but with no legal experience listed)?
I understand the importance of having legal experience, but I also understand the importance of having applications sent in early. I am seeking advice on what I should prioritise first. |
Whether to send in your application before or after your Easter experience does depend on a few things:
There are a few firms such as Allen & Overy though that have earlier closing dates (January) so check now so that you do not miss any. Also, there are some magic circle firms, most notably Slaughter and May, that have a rolling recruitment process, i.e. no official closing date. It is also important to note that some firms have earlier deadlines for non law students i.e. those students that are taking the GDL. If you are intending to apply to any of these firms then I would suggest sending in your applications prior to the vacation placement and include in your work experience section details of the experience you have planned. You can then, on completion of the scheme, send the firm an email or letter to update your application and include all that you experienced. Firms like to be kept up to date and will welcome your initiative in doing this.
With other firms who have deadlines in June LawBritannia recommends that you get your application in as early as possible, usually at Easter. You could as with the firms above update the firm at a later date. But this does really depend on how your applications stand at the moment. Can you answer why you want to become a solicitor well without the benefit of this experience? You might want to have a look at our publication Application Forms for International Students to make the most from your answers.
If you feel in anyway that these questions lack and will benefit from specific reference to actual legal experience that you will gain over Easter then hold off your applications until then - you are only holding for two weeks or so and will still get them in ahead of the rush nearer the many June deadlines. Work experience can only enhance your applications and may give you more to say about why commercial law etc. so depending on whatever previous experience you have I would say hold on and make sure the application you post is the best it can possibly be!
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Dear Advisor,
I am a US citizen (PhD. scientist) thinking about going into patent law in the UK. If I train in the UK (take certificate courses, examinations, etc.) how much of this will be useful if/when I go back to the US?
Is this crazy as a career option? Will I have any luck finding a work permit with no official training? Where can you point me to find information? |
It is common for science graduates to pursue a career as either Intellectual Property Lawyers or Patent Attorneys. There is a distinction between the two roles so make sure you understand which route you would like to take.
As an Intellectual Property or I.P. Lawyer you need to take the steps we have outlined on our website; from taking the Graduate Diploma in Law, then the Legal Practice Course and finally gain a training contract with a law firm. If you train as a lawyer in the UK particularly at an international firm, your experience and knowledge would be valuable to firms based in the US whether you return home or are seconded to the states. Practicing IP law in the UK means you will gain an understanding of European law as well which any US firm need. You can also take the New York Bar Exam in London whilst you are studying here to become dual-qualified!
As a Patent Attorney is not a lawyer the process in the UK is slightly different. Although part of the training to become a patent attorney does involve developing a thorough understanding and knowledge of those areas of the law the training is for the most part in the form of on-the-job training. Usually, this involves working for one or more fully qualified patent attorneys at a firm, in conjunction with taking exams. Undoubtedly study in the UK will give you experience again of Europe which would be a selling point to US based firms but most US firms tend to outsource work to UK firms so your marketability may be limited. As with most professions in the UK work permits are hard to come by so I would start researching firms asap to find out what they can offer US citizens.
For a really good detailed careers website on Patent Attorneys visit http://www.insidecareers.co.uk
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Dear Adviser,
How much does the Legal Practice Course actually cost? |
The Legal Practice Course takes one year full-time or two years part-time. There are a range of costs depending on which part of the UK you complete it and also which mode of study you chose:
Top for LPC Price (Full-time 2005)
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BPP Law School (London) £ 9,345
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College of Law (London) £8,950
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Inns of Court School of Law £8,900
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Nottingham Law School £8,560
To find out more about these law schools visit: http://www.lawbritannia.co.uk/Courses2.htm
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Dear Adviser,
I have applied for training contracts during last summer, 2005, and I haven't got any training contract yet.
I have the feeling that I will have to sponsor myself with the LPC. I know that some medium firms recruit in the last year of the course, but which ones? And if so, would they help you financially with the LPC? |
Firstly, whilst it is true that firm sponsorship is the main way students fund the LPC you should also look in to alternative sources of finance. Many law schools offer scholarship schemes some based on academic ability, others on financial need so when looking for a LPC provider assess what the school can offer you in terms of funding. The Law Society too offers funding schemes to law students including the Diversity Access Scheme and the annual bursary scheme to GDL and LPC students. The scheme consists of a number of funds and grant-making trusts, providing grants and loans. For more information and a copy of 'Financial Support for Students Taking the GDL or LPC' contact The Law Society Education Department Tel: 01527 504 455 or visit www.lawsociety.org.uk
Secondly, many of the top 100 law firms recruit two years in advance for training contracts. That is to say that most firms will now be recruiting for training contracts commencing 2008 . This means that you must have completed the LPC ready to start your training contract in 2008. This could mean that you have a gap year after completion of your LPC prior to starting, this is not a problem as far as firms are concerned and will allow you time to develop more legal experience, take a LLM or have a well deserved holiday after your study. Some sort of break prior to starting a training contract is very common amongst students. So you could apply to some of the firms that initially rejected you for the last round of applications if you have more to add to your application i.e. gained legal work experience or received your final academic results from your course. These larger firms usually do pay the LPC fees retrospectively – although always check this with the individual firm.
Thirdly, some medium sized firms such as Wansbroughs and Winckworth Sherwood do recruit one year in advance. Some firms that recruit a year in advance, however, do so because they are as you say medium sized and therefore are less likely to pay for the LPC. You will be able to find out what they offer by looking through the Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook published in November or by using one of the law websites we have listed on our website. On our front page we will keep you posted about any pending closing dates so do not forget to check back with us too!
Many of the larger firms often recruit for last minute places. When a firm has underestimated the number of trainees it needs they will often advertise with college careers services , so make sure you make friends with an adviser (who are often also asked to vet applications). For example, in September of this year Field Fisher Waterhouse announced they needed extra trainees for 2005 and 2006. These last minute placements do come up and if the firm are large enough they too will offer funding back dated for the LPC. There are plenty of websites where you can find deadlines for firms recruiting now for 2007/08. One of our favourites here at LawBritannia is www.lawcareers.net but make sure you get all the latest news and sign up to a number of legal websites.
Lastly, you do need to critically assess your last applications to try and decipher why you were rejected and what you need to do to make your application a success this time around. By using our free CV template you can construct a draft of your law CV and email this to our advisers for specific and tailored advice, suggestions and improvements to your CV. This service is offered at £34.99 for a limited time only so take advantage of our expertise. You can also use the free information on CVs on our site plus our new section coming November on Training Contracts Applications to get some inspiration.
Deciding whether to continue on to a LPC course without a training contract is a difficult dilemma and only you can really decide whether it is worth the financial risk. The LPC can be anything from £5,000 to £10,000 so make sure you are determined enough to do the research and applications that will be needed in order to find that training contract.
The very best of luck with your applications and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can offer any further assistance. Top
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Dear Adviser,
Do I have to declare whether I need a work permit on my CV. I feel that this means many firms reject me without looking at my experience at all.
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Often applicants state whether they require a work permit on their CV but unless you are specifically asked to so, whether you declare this information is optional.
Some of our applicants have preferred in the past to with-hold this information on their CVs in the hope that firms will give them a chance to explain their skills and experience at interview rather than rejecting them on the basis of their work permit status.
Others have preferred to present this information on their CV as this saves time and can be of benefit to their application, promoting the international credentials of the applicant.
As with most countries, work permits can be difficult to obtain by employers so you should pay extra attention to researching firms in order to assess which firms require your unique skills.
So really the choice is yours with regards to your CV but for application forms you must declare your status if asked.
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