Law jobs for graduates will continue to grow alongside the ever-expanding legal market in the UK. The routes into law are fairly standard with most having a traditional law degree and completing their LPC. However, some choose to obtain a degree in another field altogether but then have the option of studying an intensive masters in law in just a year. Whatever the chosen way, the qualifications and areas covered must be the same.
Law graduate jobs will require the candidate to have covered all of the seven traditional foundations of law. These are:
- Contract and tort
- Criminal law
- Equity and law of trusts
- Law of the European Union
- Property law
- Public law
(Those who have a law degree from foreign countries will need to apply for a Certificate of Academic Standing. This will legally confirm whether you can apply for English and Welsh law courses.)
LPC
After obtaining your degree in law, before you can apply for law graduates jobs, it is mandatory that you complete the Legal Practice Course. The LPC must be taken even if you have, or intend to do, a Masters in law. The LPC is the last hurdle before looking for law graduates jobs and eventually becoming a solicitor in Britain. It is a practical course that gives trainees the skills and knowledge required in the legal profession. The course can be completed at a range of institutions nationwide, and can be done as a full time one year course, or part time over two years.
Training Contract
Whilst studying for the LPC you should begin to apply for Training Contracts. Most candidates find that they will apply to a large number of firms and will only hear from a few. With this in mind, it is vital that you keep applying and do not become demoralised. It is perfectly normal to apply for tens of training contracts and only hear from a handful. This is because in 2009 there were 130 applicants for every one training contract.
Different training contracts will vary from firm to firm. Larger organisations will have more structured programmes in place. It is common that when on a training contract you will spend a certain number of months in different departments so that you can achieve an overall experience of the law profession.
Applications
Law graduates jobs will normally require a CV and covering letter and/or an application form to be filled out online.
It is thoroughly advisable to research all the firms you apply to. These firms look out for those who show they are motivated and their hunger for the job. Directories and websites will assist you in your research.
Some top firms will require you to apply as much as 2 years in advance of starting law graduate jobs, while most will need a year.
Future
From 2011, the Solicitors Regulation Authority will begin a new route into law. If successful, this could mean that traditional training contracts as they are known now could be abolished. The idea is to give more options for those who wish to become lawyers. Paralegals will be able to gain solicitor qualifications whilst at work. Trainees in training contracts will have to work harder in order to become a solicitor, rather than it being just a given at the end of the contract.
