| Down by Law |
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Does a law career make you think of high court dramas, of wigs and robes and saving the innocent while damning the guilty? That’s how it might seem from watching The Bill or TV news, but in real life there are numerous other legal careers open to you that can be just as satisfying.
There are three distinct legal systems in the UK – covering Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. Although it’s increasingly easy to transfer from one jurisdiction to another – by completing the Intra UK Transfer Test Law – you should still choose carefully where you want to start your training.What each legal system shares is a professional division between solicitors, who deal directly with people and their problems (even representing them in lower courts), and advocates (barristers in the rest of the UK) present cases in higher courts and at tribunals. ADVOCATES’/BARRISTERS’ CLERK Candace Fox studied law at Manchester University but, while enjoying the theory, didn’t feel comfortable as a practising lawyer. So, on graduation, she began working as a junior clerk with a small barristers’ chambers in the city, spending a year learning the basics of being a Barrister’s Clerk. Particularly interested in family law, Candace later moved to a larger chambers in Birmingham which had a dedicated family law department. Candace completed the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks BTEC course and went on to further expand her knowledge of the practice’s commercial side. She hopes to gain promotion to senior clerk soon, but realises this may mean moving chambers yet again. THE JOB: Clerks work for a stable of advocates (or a chamber of barristers). They provide administrative support; taking calls from potential clients, arranging meetings and supplying materials for advocates/barristers, and advising on the most suitable advocate/barrister for a case. Clerks also have an increasing role in attracting work to the advocates/barristers. SKILLS AND PERSONALITY: Clerks deal with a huge variety of different people on a daily basis; advocates/barristers and solicitors, court officials and members of the public. You need good communication skills, an ability to take in a lot of information and well-organised – it’s up to you to ensure a steady flow of appropriate work to each advocate/barrister. GETTING STARTED: It’s still possible to become an clerk without a degree, but increasingly stables/chambers are hiring graduates – particularly those with legal or business qualifications. Training is on the job, usually under the supervision of an experienced clerk – starting with general and administrative work such as finding research materials, taking books and papers to court and making travel arrangements for advocates/barristers. MONEY: Starting salaries for clerks can be frighteningly low – non-degree-level juniors can be on as little as £12,000, though graduates can expect more. Senior clerks – depending on experience, responsibilities and skills – will be on between £30,000 and £110,000. BIG PLUS: “Working so closely with the barristers on the front line - I know my work is helping them win cases and making a difference to others.” BIG NEGATIVE: “It’s difficult to plan my social life ahead of time, as my evenings and weekends can be swallowed up without notice by complex cases.” SOLICITOR David Simpson originally planned to be history teacher, but after graduation he instead completed a Graduate Diploma in Law, followed by a Legal Practice Course. He’s still with the same private practice where he completed two further years’ training, where he deals mainly with conveyancing – transferring property from one owner to another. THE JOB: Solicitors advise, assist and represent members of the public on all legal matters. Most work in private practices, often specialising in particular areas like business law, litigation (disputes between individuals or organisations) and probate (advising on and carrying out people’s wills). Solicitors are also employed by local and national government, the Crown Office/Crown Prosecution Service (which decide if prosecutions should go ahead), industrial and commercial organisations and charities. SKILLS AND PERSONALITY: You need strong communication skills, and an ability to explain complicated legal matters clearly – both in speech and in writing. You should be confident in negotiations, but also tactful and discreet when dealing with people in often stressful situations. You need to be able to absorb and analyse large amounts of information, and ensure you keep up to date with the latest legal developments. GETTING STARTED: In Scotland, most solicitors complete a LLB degree from a Scottish university, followed by a diploma in legal practice (lasting one year) and two years’ paid training with an approved employer. A non-degree alternative is to enter a three year pre-diploma training contract with a Scottish solicitor and study towards the Law Society of Scotland’s professional exams – after which, you complete the diploma in legal practice and post-diploma traineeship. MONEY: Trainee solicitors can usually expect to earn a minimum of £14,500, although larger firms can pay more. After qualification, pay depends on a number of factors; experienced solicitors who have reached partner level usually earn in excess of £100,000. BIG PLUS: “I do find the law fascinating, and, contrary to popular opinion, being a solicitor also gives you the opportunity to help people, which I enjoy.” BIG NEGATIVE: “People have some very strange, Perry Mason-style ideas about what solicitors do. Most of my work is office based – I hardly ever go into court.” MORE INFO Faculty of Advocates 0131 226 5071 www.advocates.org.uk Law Society of Scotland 0131 226 7411 www.lawscot.org.uk The Institute of Barristers’ Clerks 020 7831 7144 www.ibc.org.uk The Law Society (Career Information) 0870 606 2555 www.lawsociety.org.uk |