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mini-pupillages Globalisation and economic growth in recent years have led to more businesses and individuals requiring the services of the legal profession. Buoyant areas have been in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, banking and finance, construction, technology and telecoms. There are three different legal systems in the UK: Northern Ireland and Scotland have separate systems from England and Wales. These differences give rise to different training requirements and routes to employment. Ads by Google The number of students studying law is increasing, whilst the number of trainee positions is remaining the same, meaning increased competition to qualify. What kind of work can I do?- Solicitors: Provide a wide range of legal support and advice to clients, individuals and businesses of all sizes. They take instructions and advise on necessary courses of legal action. See the solicitors occupational profiles for more information.
- Barristers and (in Scotland) advocates: Specialise in particular areas of the law. They act as advocates in court and provide written legal opinions. See the barristers occupational profiles for more information.
- Legal executives: Fee-earning, qualified lawyers with a role similar to solicitors. They frequently specialise in conveyancing, civil and criminal litigation, family law and probate. See the legal executive (England and Wales) occupational profile for more information.
- Paralegals: Support solicitors with legal transactions, mainly in an administrative capacity, and with varying levels of responsibility. See the paralegal (England and Wales) occupational profile for more information.
What’s it like working in this sector?Many solicitors and barristers, particularly early on in their career, frequently have to work long, unsocial hours involving evenings and weekends. Solicitors- The Law Society of England and Wales’ minimum recommended trainee solicitor’s salary is £17,660 in central London and £15,820 outside London (August 2007, reviewed annually). However, actual median starting salaries in 2006 were £30,855 in London and £20,000 outside London. Salary progression depends on size of firm and type of work.
- In Scotland, recommended trainee solicitors’ salaries are £15,000 in the first year, rising to £18,000 in year two.
- In Northern Ireland, apprentices earn between £10,600 and £18,000, depending on the stage of their training.
- Average salaries across the UK for newly qualified solicitors range from £25,000 to £45,000.
- Salaries at partnership level can range from £100,000 to £500,000, although partners in top firms can earn £1.5million plus.
Barristers- In England and Wales, pupil barristers earn at least £10,000 per annum, although some sets pay upwards of £30,000.
- In Scotland, intending advocates (known as ‘devils’) are unpaid during their ten-month training period.
- Salaries can double by ten years’ call, rising to £140,000, and to £2.5million as a silk. Salaries depend on location, type of employment and specialism.
Ancillary professions- Typical salaries for legal executives in London commercial firms average £17,000-£22,000 for those just entering the profession, rising to £41,000-£48,000 for fellows of the The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). Salaries in smaller firms, the public sector and in the rest of the UK are lower.
- For paralegals, London commercial firms pay around £21,000-£23,000 for Legal Practice Course (LPC) graduates with around six months’ experience, increasing to £32,000-£35,000 after about three years.
Diversity- There continue to be concerns about diversity across the legal sector, but the situation is changing slowly.
- There is a higher proportion of men than women in the sector, particularly among barristers.
- An increasing number of diversity specialist groups for solicitors and barristers run events and support activities.
- Law firms run diversity mentoring schemes.
- Diversity bursary schemes are available to fund postgraduate law courses.
How big is this sector?According to latest figures (2006), there were: - 131,347 solicitors on the roll in England, 11,958 in Scotland and 2,441 in Northern Ireland.
- 14,890 barristers on the roll in England, 451 practising advocates in Scotland and 569 practising barristers in Northern Ireland.
- 7,105 registered legal executives in England and Wales.
- Over 50,000 paralegals in law firms, 450,000 outside of law firms and 1,200 working in advisory firms.
Where can I work?England and Wales- 27.4% of practising solicitors work in London.
- In-house work is mainly found in London.
- In 2006, there were 12,034 self-employed barristers. Around two-thirds were based in London.
- Government Legal Service (GLS) positions are in London and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) employs barristers throughout England and Wales.
Scotland- Work is available throughout Scotland, though most opportunities, particularly in commercial and corporate work, are located in the larger cities, especially Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- Most advocates are based in Edinburgh.
Northern Ireland- Work is available throughout Northern Ireland, though most opportunities, especially in commercial and corporate work, are located in the larger cities, particularly Belfast.
- Barristers in Northern Ireland are based at The Bar Library (Northern Ireland) in Belfast, but they also work at courts and tribunals throughout the country.
UK-qualified solicitors who wish to practise elsewhere in the UK or in the EU can re-qualify in other jurisdictions by taking appropriate tests. Contact the relevant law society for advice. For information on working overseas, see opportunities abroad. |
