The Legal Profession
Law For Non-Law Students
Melanie King Careers Consultant
Nottingham Law School
This presentation will cover:
•The way forward if you are considering becoming a
solicitor or barrister
•What to do next
•How to apply
•CPE/GDL application form
•Funding your courses
•Sources for legal work experience
•Applying for legal work experience
Solicitor
•Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE
•Legal Practice Course
•Training Contract
Barrister
•Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE
•Bar Professional Training Course
•Pupillage
What to do next
•Apply for GDL/CPE
•Research the money
•Get legal work experience
•Develop and maintain interests
How to apply
•Apply to the Central Application
Board
•Details on www.lawcabs.ac.uk
•Applications are on going
GDL/CPE Application Form
•Why the legal profession
•Career direction
•Career aspirations
Funding your course
•Nottingham Law School Scholarship
•Trusts and Charities
•Bank Loans
•Law Society Bursary
•Law Firm Sponsorship
•Inns of Court Scholarship
Legal Work Experience
Formal
•Vacation schemes
•Current work
•Mini-pupillages
•Marshalling
Legal Work Experience
Informal
•Self organised work experience
•Voluntary work with firms
•Seasonal/casual work
•Work shadowing
•Employer visits
What are employers looking for?
•Academic ability
•Awareness of what being a lawyer involves
•Awareness of the environment in which the
firm and its clients operate
•Motivation and commitment
•Competencies
Competencies
•Written communication skills
•Verbal communication skills
•Analytical and problem solving skills
•Teamwork
•Working under pressure
•Adaptability/flexibility
•Planning and organising
Basic Format of CV Content For
Solicitor
•Personal Details
•Education and Qualifications
•Legal Work Experience
•Work Experience
•Positions of Responsibility
•Achievements
•Activities and Interests
•Additional Skills
•References
Basic Format of CV Content For
Barrister
• Personal Details
• Education and Qualifications
• Mooting/Public Speaking/Debating
• Mini-pupillages
• Other Legal Work Experience
• General Employment
• Achievements and Positions of Responsibility
• Additional Skills
• Interests and Activities
• References
Covering letters
•Usually one side of A4
•Addressed to a named person
•First paragraph – introduction
•Second paragraph – why you are applying
to that firm/chambers/organisation
•Third paragraph – what you have to offer
the firm/chambers/organisation
•Fourth paragraph - conclusion
Resources
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.ntu.ac.uk/destinations
• www.legal500.com
• www.lex100.com
• www.lawgazette.co.uk
Solicitor
• www.lawsociety.org.uk
• www.lawcareers.net
• www.solicitors-online.com
Barrister
• www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
• www.barcouncil.org.uk
• www.pupillages.com