First-Year Law Degree Students and Second-Year Non-Law Degree Students

What does it mean to be a solicitor? Am I cut out for the work? Why do I want to be a solicitor rather than a barrister? Do I want to practise in London or the regions? What practice area? These are the questions to be asking around this time. Answers can be gleaned by delving into the law section of your university careers centre and undergoing a healthy dose of self-analysis.

You might like to arrange some summer work experience to begin checking out the different types of firm (note that the formal work placement schemes don't take place for another year, though). Above all, work at achieving and maintaining good grades: when it comes to applying for formal work placement schemes and training contracts, firms will want to know your first and second-year grades, not just what degree you've ended up with.

Second-Year Law Degree Students and Final-Year Non-Law Degree Students

Autumn term, Christmas vacation and spring term
Decide whether you genuinely believe law is a career which will suit your character and skills through further research into the profession. Go to a careers advice service and discuss the profession generally with a careers adviser. Attend law firm presentations on campus and at firms' offices, and research and apply for work placement schemes for your summer vacation (some firms also offer Christmas and Easter work). It's a good idea to do a few schemes in order to get a feel for the range and types of practice available to you. Check out "Vacation Scheme Deadlines" for closing dates.

Most university law careers fairs take place in November. Ensure you attend and meet people from the firms face-to-face. It is best to have done some preliminary research so you can ask intelligent questions.

Look into the funding possibilities for your legal training (in particular, local education authority grants) and check closing dates for applications.

Non-law degree students will need to apply for a place on a conversion course, known as the graduate diploma in law (GDL), before 1 February. Applications for full-time places must be made through the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk). Although online applications are greatly preferred, you can phone 01483 451080 to request a hard copy form. Applications for part-time courses must be made direct to the provider. 

Easter vacation
Apply for further vacation work placements for the summer vacation. Thoroughly research the applications procedure for training contracts, especially those at firms you are interested in. By now you should be shortlisting the firms at which you want to work.

Summer vacation
Most major law firms will require training contract applications during this period (from mid-July onwards). Gain some further work experience, either on a formal vacation scheme or through other means. Check deadlines for LPC applications at the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk).

Final-Year Law Degree Students and GDL Conversion Course Students

Autumn term
Employers can start interviewing candidates for training contracts from 1 September in their final year of a law degree, so you should be busy with interviews now! You must also apply for LPC courses now through the Central Applications Board. The deadline for the initial selection and allocation process is 1 December.

Spring term
You must enrol at the Law Society as a student member before you start your LPC. However, if you have submitted your application for a full-time LPC place, you will automatically be sent the necessary forms. The closing date for the return of forms is 1 August in the year you hope to start the LPC. For those with suitability issues, such as a police caution, the deadline is 1 April because you have to submit supporting documents. Click here for more information. Part-time LPC applicants need to contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority to enrol (email info.services@sra.org.uk or call 0870 606 2555).

Summer term
The deadline for LPC acceptances is during this term. If you haven't succeeded in obtaining a training contract, keep making further applications until you get one. Obtain a certificate for the completion of the academic stage of legal training.

LPC Year

If you have yet to find a training contract, keep making further applications throughout the year until you get one. Attend as many law fairs as possible and check for adverts in the Law Society Gazette and on the LawCareers.Net "Immediate Vacancies" section.

Autumn term
Introduction course followed by compulsory subject courses.

Spring term
Compulsory subject courses.

Summer term
Optional subject courses.

The Training Contract

Year one
Ensure that your training contract has been registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (your firm will usually do this for you). The format of the training varies from firm to firm, but most firms operate a series of departmental rotations (most often four seats in separate departments, each lasting six months). On-the-job training is provided throughout, and is supplemented by courses and lectures throughout the two-year training period.

Year two
Around the middle of your second year, most firms will make post-training job offers and you will know whether you are going to be offered a position upon finishing your training contract. Approximately six to eight weeks before your training contract is due to end, the Solicitors Regulation Authority will send you the necessary forms so that you can apply to be formally admitted to the roll of solicitors. Provided all necessary training conditions have been satisfied, you will be admitted to the roll. Congratulations - you are a solicitor!