Becoming a solicitor or lawyer in the UK is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, education, and practical experience. It’s a profession built on trust, responsibility, and a strong understanding of the law. Whether you’re a student planning your future or someone considering a career change, knowing what to expect at each stage can make the path feel more manageable and achievable.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to becoming a solicitor in the UK, outlining the qualifications you’ll need, the different training routes available, and practical tips to help you stay on track and reach your goal.
1. Obtain A Qualifying Law Degree (LLB)
The first step to becoming a solicitor in the UK is to obtain a qualifying law degree (LLB). This three-year undergraduate programme is offered by universities across the UK and provides a solid academic foundation in core legal principles. You’ll study areas such as contract law, criminal law, tort, constitutional and administrative law, and more, building the knowledge base required for further legal training.
An LLB not only introduces you to the structure and function of the legal system, but also helps you develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and legal research abilities that are essential in practice.
What If I Don’t Have a Law Degree? If your undergraduate degree is in a different subject, you can still pursue a legal career by taking a one-year conversion course known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or Law Conversion Course. This programme condenses the core areas of legal study into a single year, giving non-law graduates a direct pathway into the next stage of solicitor training.
2. Complete The Legal Practice Course (LPC) Or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
LPC: Once you have your law degree or GDL, the next step is to complete the vocational training required to move into legal practice.
The LPC is a one-year, postgraduate course designed to prepare you for life as a solicitor. It focuses on the practical skills and knowledge needed to work in a legal environment, including areas such as litigation, business law, property, and client care. You’ll also develop key professional skills like legal writing, interviewing, and negotiation.
The LPC acts as a bridge between academic learning and hands-on legal practice, and is typically followed by a two-year training contract with a law firm.
The New Route, SQE: As of September 2021, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduced the SQE, a mandatory route to qualifying as a solicitor. It is designed to standardise the process and make it more accessible, flexible, and affordable. The SQE is divided into two stages:
- SQE1: Assesses legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions.
- SQE2: Tests practical legal skills, including interviewing, advocacy, and drafting.
A key benefit of the SQE route is its flexibility. You can complete qualifying work experience before, during, or after the exams, making it easier to build practical skills alongside your studies.
3. Gain Practical Experience
Practical experience is crucial in your journey to becoming a solicitor, as it allows you to develop the legal, professional, and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in practice.
Under the LPC route, this is typically achieved through a two-year training contract with a law firm, where you’ll work under the supervision of experienced solicitors, rotating through different areas of law such as litigation, corporate, property, or family. This structured environment gives you exposure to a range of legal disciplines and helps you understand how legal principles are applied in real client scenarios.
For those on the SQE path, you need to complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE), which offers more flexibility and can be gained through placements in up to four different legal settings, including law firms, legal clinics, in-house legal teams, or even voluntary organisations that provide legal services. This approach allows you to build experience gradually and in diverse environments, often making it easier to fit around other commitments while still meeting the SRA’s requirements.
4. Apply For Admission To The Roll Of Solicitors
Once you’ve completed your LPC and training contract or passed the SQE and gained the required experience, the final step is to apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors. This is the official register of qualified solicitors in England and Wales.
To be admitted, you’ll need to:
- Pass a character and suitability assessment.
- Provide evidence of your qualifications and training.
- Pay the required admission fee.
Once admitted, you are officially a solicitor and can begin practising law in the UK.
5. Continuing Competence
Even after qualifying, your journey as a solicitor doesn’t stop. Under the SRA’s Continuing Competence framework, all solicitors are expected to maintain and develop their professional skills throughout their careers.
Rather than focusing on a set number of training hours, the Continuing Competence approach encourages you to reflect on your practice, identify areas for improvement, and take appropriate steps to address them. This ensures you remain up to date with changes in the law, ethical obligations, and client expectations.
You can meet these requirements in a variety of ways, such as attending training courses, participating in webinars or workshops, undertaking self-directed learning, or gaining experience in new areas of practice. Many firms also support ongoing learning through internal training programmes and legal updates.
By staying proactive and reflective in your development, you’ll continue to grow as a solicitor and remain equipped to deliver high-quality legal advice in an evolving legal landscape.
Conclusion
Becoming a solicitor in the UK is a challenging yet achievable goal. Whether you choose the traditional LPC route or the newer SQE path, dedication, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing learning will set you on the path to success.
By following these steps and seizing every opportunity for growth and development, you’ll be well-equipped to thrive in the legal profession.
