Solicitors provide advice to clients about law, representing clients when disputes arise. These areas of law include property, taxation, employment and competition, as well as many other areas. As a solicitor you would spend a lot of time researching cases similar to the ones they're dealing with at the time.
Who can I work for?
There are many solicitor firms in the UK, with some of the biggest being Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, Lovells, Slaughter and May, Herbert Smith, and the Government Legal Service.
Where and when can I work?
Solicitors work in offices as well as making home visits to clients and attending external meetings. A 37-hour week is the norm for solicitors, although it's common to work outside of these hours, such as weekends. It's also common for solicitors to have to attend police stations during the night if a client needs to be represented, therefore the job can be particularly stressful at times.
What can I earn?
Salary for a solicitor depends on the area of law worked in, earning anything from £35,000 to £150,000. Salary is also dependant upon the complexity of the cases being dealt with.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of being a solicitor is that there is always plenty of work to earn overtime, as well as the option of being self-employed to earn even more.
Are there chances of promotion?
Many solicitors stay with the firm they are training with, often being considered for partnership after impressing for at least six years. However, some solicitors choose to move into different areas of law, or even train to become a barrister.
What will I be responsible for?
Responsibilities of a solicitor include meeting and advising clients, overseeing official agreements between parties, attending court hearings, reading law journals, and attending frequent legal courses.
What qualifications do I need?
Becoming a solicitor is competitive, so you would need to meet the minimum academic standards, which include a law degree and then taking a Common Professional Examination. In order to be able to study for both of these qualifications, you would need impressive A-Level results. The Legal Practice Course (LPC) must also be completed in order to become a solicitor, within a period of either one or two years. After completion of the LPC, individuals will need to complete a training contract with a law firm, which must be passed during this time.
Do I need any experience?
In order to work as a solicitor, you need to have previously undertaken experience within a legal firm and be able to demonstrate that you have made an informed choice to become a solicitor, rather than simply applying on a whim.
What attributes are needed?
Every solicitor must be careful and diligent, able to work as a team, business orientated, have common sense, a high sense of motivation, and have impressive interpersonal skills, amongst a range of other qualities.