The legal professions in England and Wales are easily accessible to applicants from a non-law degree background. The completion of a one-year conversion course places applicants in an equivalent academic position to those who have studied law. Why are you wanted? Both professions recruit heavily from those who have not studied law. This is for three reasons: firstly, the professions cannot find sufficient numbers of law degree applicants of high quality; secondly, firms of solicitors and sets of barristers' chambers welcome the stimulating diversity of intellectual approaches which are achieved by such recruitment; thirdly, graduates of some subjects, science and engineering in particular, possess knowledge that can be highly relevant in particular legal contexts. How to apply Applications for Common Professional Examination (CPE) courses and for solicitors' training contracts with many commercial firms should be made during the final year of your studies if you wish to embark on training immediately afterwards. Many other firms of solicitors and barristers' chambers will recruit during the CPE year. Applications for CPE courses should be made through the Central Applications Board (CAB) by the beginning of February for courses beginning the following September. Register with the Board from November, in good time to receive an application pack. Obstacles to entry? The legal professions have demanding entry criteria for applicants from all backgrounds. Those from a non-law background should expect that their motivation for and knowledge of their chosen profession will be given microscopic examination. Prepare accordingly. Paul Brown: Careers Adviser, Oxford University Central Applications Board PO Box 84 Guildford Surrey GU3 1YX Tel: 01483 451081 | 
