Time to teach

Dear Oracle

I did a law degree with a view to training as a lawyer, but have decided that I'm not ready for a legal career yet (although it is something that I'm interested in going back to in the future). I want to spend a few years travelling and teaching abroad, but I'm worried that if I do that for too long, I won't be able to go back to law. Is there some kind of time limit after which I'll have to do my law degree again before training as a solicitor?

The Oracle replies

It sounds to us as though taking some time out to teach and travel is a great idea. It's always best not to rush into expensive postgraduate legal training if you're unsure that law is the career for you. It's a tough profession to enter, so you have to be fully committed to succeed.

In terms of how long you've got, however, beware: your degree becomes 'stale' after seven years have passed. If this happens, you will have to retake all of the foundation subjects by completing the entire GDL. In exceptional cases the SRA will revalidate a stale degree, but only if you can prove that you have kept your legal knowledge up to date (this is usually an option only for those who have stayed working in law since they graduated).

So in answer to your question, you have seven years to play with - but bear in mind that the longer you leave it before taking up the next stage of legal training, the less relevant your degree will become. It's also worth remembering that relevant legal/business experience is vital if you're to land a training contract or pupillage - so it would help you to fit some in among all that exploring!