Legal profession (1) Solicitors

• Solicitors - provide legal advice , services and support to clients who can be:

  • Individuals
  • private companies
  • public sector organisations
• Solicitors specialise in certain areas of law like:

  • Property
  • finance
  • family
• barristers - Represent people and organisations in court , carry out research into points of law and advise clients on their case.
• Most barristers are self-employed in the chambers , and some work in government departments/agencies like the crown prosecuting service (CPS) and the legal profession.
• Chartered legal executives - qualified lawyers who specialise in certain fields of law such as civil and criminal litigation , corporate law or public law
• only people who complete the chartered institute of legal executives (CILEX) training can be named chartered legal executives.
• Paralegals - Carry out legal work without being qualified as a solicitor/barrister. They support lawyers by preparing notes and interviewing clients and witnesses.
• Solicitors qualifying exam

  The SQE introduced in September 2021 and will soon replace the Legal practice course (LPC) by 2032.

  It is not a course but a series of exams in 2 stages.
• Under the new system trainee solicitor has to:

  • have a degree or the same qualification in any subject
  • Pass both stages of the SQE
  • Complete 2 years qualifying work experience (QWE)
  • Meet the solicitors regulatory authority character and sustainability requirements
• Students who do not have a degree in law , there are law conversion courses and SQE preparation courses available.
• SQE Route

  1. Degree in any subject
  2. Pass both stages of the SQE
  3. 2-year qualifying work experience
  4. Pass SRA character and sustainability requirements
  5. admission to roll of solicitors
• The law degree needs to be a qualifying law degree (LLB) which needs the SQE1 preparation and 7 compulsory modules:

  1. Constitutional law/administrative
  2. Criminal law
  3. Contract law
  4. Land law
  5. Equity and trusts
  6. EU law
  7. Tort Law