Becoming a qualified solicitor is not an easy task and you need to be very committed to this. There is a long training period and you will need to complete courses and exams before you can qualify.
This is easier and faster if you are a law graduate, but you can do this if you are not as well.
The Qualities You Need
Before you can look at the routes you could take to become a solicitor for a law firm in Reading, you should know what qualities you need to possess. There is no point in looking at how to become a solicitor if this is not the right career for you.
The first quality that you need to have is strong academic ability. You also need to have the drive to compete with other candidates to win a place to become a solicitor.
You should also be able to find a law firm that will supervise you while you complete your training. This can be hard depending on the qualifications that you already have.
Routes To Becoming A Solicitor
If you want to become a solicitor in England or Wales, there are a number of routes that you can take for your legal studies. The most common will be
the graduate route where you graduate with a law degree. You can also graduate with other degrees and become a solicitor.
If you are going to take this route, after graduating, you will need to complete a Graduate Diploma in law. You will also need to complete a Legal Practice course and a period of training by a recognised provider.
Becoming a solicitor with a degree that is not in law will be harder and take more time than completing a law degree.
Once you have completed both the vocational and academic training, you will be able to register with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This is also known as the role of solicitors in England and Wales.
You will only be able to apply for a practising certificate after you have registered with the authority.
Another route that you could take if you have not gone to university is an apprenticeship. It is important to note that apprenticeships are not always available.
The standards which are expected from apprentices are the same as for all solicitors. There is also a rigorous assessment which must be completed before you will be admitted into this field.
The Path to Becoming a Solicitor In Scotland
Becoming a solicitor in Scotland is slightly different, but the routes are largely the same whether you are employed by a local law firm or work as an online lawyer. The most common will be to get an LLB degree which is provided by 10 accredited providers in Scotland. This is considered the best and fastest route to take.
If you are unable to go to university, you could complete the Pre-PEAT training. This training will need to be completed in conjunction with the exams by the Law Society.
There is also a Traineeship which must be completed before you are able to qualify as a solicitor. If you have a law degree or other qualifications in the UK or another country you can go through a re-qualifying route instead.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as formal legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Specific legal advice should be sort tailored to the individual circumstances in all cases.
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