In many countries, the UK included, one of the most coveted careers to have is the career of a lawyer. However, in the UK, the legal system is different than other areas of the world. The legal system in the United Kingdom includes two types of lawyers, Barristers and Solicitors. Based upon what role you would like to obtain, the schooling you will have to endure will be different.
Understanding the differences between Barristers and Solicitors is the first step you need to take, when obtaining a law degree through university. Barristers generally take on different cases than Solicitors, even though both worth in union, to keep the legal system within the United Kingdom operable. Whichever avenue you attempt to take within the UK legal system, you will have to make sacrifices. You will need to sacrifice your time and your money, in cases where funding is not available, in order to be able to attain your goal.
How Long Does Law School Take?
It takes three years to earn an undergraduate law degree in the UK. The degree concentrates on teaching the theoretical side of law. During this time, criminal and civil procedures are not taught, neither are practical skills or lawyer ethic codes. After receiving the law degree, each profession will need to undergo a vocational study course.
Barristers will attend the vocational course for Barristers, while Solicitors will need to attend a legal practice course for their branch of the legal system. Each course teaches different subject matters, and the information that is taught, is assessed in a different manner. Once the vocational stage has ended, both types of legal practitioners will need to obtain an apprenticeship at an established chamber or firm.
Solicitors obtain training contracts, while Barristers are expected to obtain pupillages. Pupillages are a little more tedious, but during this training, Barristers can begin taking on personal cases, after a six month period. Typical training contracts last a course of two years. A successful student that chooses to attend law school can end up completing the entire ordeal within a short span of five to six years.
Grades Required To Pass Law School
Unlike many other legal programmes, law schools are different in the UK. Individuals that are aspiring to be a part of the legal system are not given J.D. advanced style degrees. Also, students that have studied at university will complete the vocational aspect of their training, alongside individuals that did not have the same privileges that they had, or individuals that chose to change their careers, and decided to pursue law instead.
Individuals that want to work in the field, will need to have a first-class undergraduate degree, even though a GPA is all that is required to move on to the next level of credentialing. Just like with any profession, the grades that you hold in school, will help determine the type of worker that you are going to be. If the subject of law entices you, then you are more than likely going to go above and beyond when studying it. Therefore, there should be no reason why someone who wants to pursue law as their career, should ever have to consider what their grade point averages need to be in order to advance.
How Much Is A Lawyer Compensated?
After doing all of the necessary schooling ,as a Solicitor trainee, you can expect to be paid roughly £12,000 or double the sum per year, if you are doing your training in a prestigious firm. However, landing a training position in a well- known firm can be extremely tedious. Solicitors that work for private practices, after they have completed all of their schooling, will receive anywhere between £35,000 and £73,000, based upon the location that they work and the grade that they have earned in the field.
Solicitors that are employed by government agencies will typically earn lower salary scales, then those who work outside of the agencies. Barristers typically earn a lot more than a Solicitor. However, it is harder to become a Barrister in the United Kingdom, than it is to become a Solicitor. One of the primary reasons is due to the immense amount of competition within the field.
Future Growth
Choosing to pursue a career where there is no growth potential is insane. No one wants to waste their time or energy going to university, to not be able to know that after all is said and done they will be able to have a comfortable existence. There is an immense amount of growth potential in the legal system. The higher grade that you can assume while employed in the field, the more money you will make, and more responsibilities you will be required to take on.