Introduction to a Career in Law Judith Baines Careers Service

Transcription

1 Introduction to a Career in Law 2008 Judith Baines Careers Service

2 This session Trends in the legal profession Route to qualification Where to train and what employers look for Researching legal careers Funding Timetable for action solicitors and barristers Law events

3 Is this you? Excellent academic ability Creative when solving problems Communication skills Advocacy skills Team player/interpersonal skills Organisational skills Attention to detail Able to work under pressure Commercial awareness Commitment to social justice

4 Solicitor or Barrister? Solicitor Clients are individuals or businesses Defined career path Resources egtraining, holiday/sick pay Solicitor advocate option Barrister Clients are legal professionals Self-employment Greater variety, independence & insecurity More barriers to entry More opportunities for advocacy

5 Solicitors 108,407 solicitors with practising certificates (July 2007) 10,114 firms; 82,557 solicitors 76.2% Private Practice Commerce and Industry Government Not attached Other 9.1% 6.5% 7% 28,850 solicitors

6 Distribution of Firms & Solicitors In Private Practice ( ) Partners % of firms % of solicitors or more * *employ nearly 30% of all partners in private practice

7 Trends in Practice -Solicitors Just over 25% of private practice firms are located in London Employing 42% of all solicitors in private practice London and South East has 42% of all private practice firms Nearly 50% solicitors firms are in London & SE 56% new solicitors women, overall 43.4% 16% new solicitors ethnic minorities, overall 9.5% of all solicitors

8 Trends in Profession -Barristers Around 15,000 barristers in England & Wales 75% work in Chambers as self-employed Chancery, civil, common law, mixed sets Almost two thirds work in London 330 chambers in London; 313 in provinces Around third of all barristers are female 1,223 QC s; around 10% female

9 Route through the Profession Graduate Diploma in Law Full-time (1 year) LPC Training Contract A Degree other than Law Part-time (2 years) Distance Learning (2 years)) Full-time (1 year) Part-time (2 years) Block Learning (2 years) 2 year contract including Professional Skills Course Admission as a Solicitor A Degree in English Law BVC Full-time (1 year) Part-time (2 years) Call to The Bar Pupillage 6 months non-practising & Solicitor Barrister 12 Inn qualifying units 6 months practising

10 GDL (law conversion course) Leads to LPC / BVC Guaranteed Places Scheme for LSE 1 year academic course Core legal subjects Cost: up to 8,100 Applications accepted from 3 November 2008 Closing date for first round selection: 2/2/09

11 Training Figures -Solicitor 2006/07 6,012 training contracts registered % in London; 94% in private practice Around 61% women; 19% ethnic minorities 9,850 on LPC courses with a 75% first time pass rate, 22% with a distinction LPC 9k 11.6k

12 Training Figures -Barrister 2006/ applicants 1837accepted for BVC place 1776 called to the bar 527 pupillages: 52% female 11.3% ethnic minorities Costs BVC -10.5k 14.5k

13 Estimate for 2008/ BVC places Pupillages

14 Research the Postgraduate Course Provider How it is delivered Tailored courses Options/Electives Location Atmosphere Student Support Extra curricular activities Ratings Scholarships

15 Funding, Solicitors: juniorlawyers.lawsociety.org.uk Sponsorship Law Society bursary scheme Law Society Diversity Access Scheme HRLA Bursary Award 2008 Other Scholarships

16 Funding Barristers: Inns of Court Middle Temple Gray s Inn Lincolns Inn Inner Temple

17 Which area of law? What type of firm or chambers?

18 Changes in the Sector Positive news its different for different firms Real estate, property, construction and some corporate hit eg. banking, private equity Litigation; insolvency; dispute resolution holding strong Smaller firms, less diversified, will probably feel the economic impact more keenly Plans for expansion in Asia slowed Conversion course recruitment predicted to rise Legal reforms Legal Disciplinary Practices Legal Services Bill Carter Review

19 Where are the training contracts? Salaries 20k 41k Corporate/Commercial Global players Magic Circle Silver Circle Other large firms 35k-41k National/EU firms 22k-36k General practice 20k-31k Regional 20k-27k In-house Legal Depts e.g. EDF Energy 32k

20 Where are the training contracts? 16.5k national, 18.7k London Law Society Minimum Salaries 16.5k 25k High Street Legal Aid Largest - 20k-23k Local Government Government Legal Service 22.6k-24.9k in London Crown Prosecution Service 18.6k national, 19.6k London

21 Where are the pupillages? pupillages.com chancery commercial land/property employment media Intellectual property shipping family charity/ecclesiastical criminal personal injury medical negligence landlord and tenant immigration housing Salaries 10k minimum 45k 25k 150k gross within 5 years of call 65k 1mill gross for 10+ more years of call Top Queen's Counsel (QC) can earn 1mill+ per year Local Government GLS 22.6k 24.9k in London CPS 18.6k national, 19.6k London Some solicitors firms

22 Is this you? Excellent academic ability Creative when solving problems Communication skills Advocacy skills (esp for barristers) Team player/interpersonal skills Organisational skills Attention to detail Able to work under pressure Commercial awareness Legal aid/human rights commitment to social justice

23 Solicitors: what do they need? 2:1 degree Consistently good results throughout degree Good A level grades Commercial awareness Team work/ achievements Some work experience

24 Barristers: what do they need? Strong academics Confidence Mini-pupillages Advocacy/public speaking Achievements Work experience with firm of solicitors a bonus Need to stand out

25 Researching legal careers Through Experience Talk to recruiters Law Fair, presentations National Pupillage Fair Web sites and directories see Careers website and info. room

26 Experience vacation placements mini-pupillages work shadowing volunteering internships open days courts

27 Law careers events Law Forum pm, Thursday 13 th November Alternative Law Forum 12-2pm, Wednesday 19 th Law Fairs - 25 th & 27 th November National Pupillage Fair,14 March 2009 Employer presentations and open days

28 Improving your chances of success Thoroughly research the firm/chambers need to show genuine interest Vacation scheme/mini pupillage/experience Keep up to date with legal and business issues and current affairs e.g. Lawyer2B, Lex, The Lawyer, Roll on Friday Be able to demonstrate commercial awareness Awareness of changes in the legal sector Get advice and feedback on your application

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31 Changes in the Sector Positive news its different for different firms Real estate, property, construction and some corporate hit eg. banking, private equity Litigation and insolvency holding strong Smaller firms, less diversified, will probably feel the economic impact more keenly Plans for expansion in Asia slowed Conversion course recruitment predicted to rise Legal reforms Legal Disciplinary Practices Legal Services Bill Carter Review

32 Researching potential employers Target Law Training Contract and Pupillages Handbook Pupillages Handbook Legal Aid Practitioners Group website which also includes a directory legal aid firms.