The Law Apprenticeships Guide

A law apprenticeship combines paid work and training at a law firm with part-time study for professional qualifications. It is an alternative path to going to university that offers the same career destinations, but avoids the expensive fees.

Sponsored by

Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

Cyril Lekgetho is a first-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

Upcoming events for you!

LawCareers.Net and BPP University masterclass: top tips for researching law firms effectively

Thursday 29 January | Register now!

First-year Bootcamp | LawCareers.Net x The University of Law

Tuesday 3 February | Register now!

LawCareers.Net masterclass: legal apprenticeships – what you need to know

Thursday 12 February | Register now!

Videos

See more videos

LawCareersNetLIVE London 2024: partner panel

LawCareersNetLIVE Manchester 2024: trainee panel

Masterclass | non-law students – what you need to know

LawCareers.Net masterclass: commercial awareness

Masterclass | AI in practice – with A&O Shearman

Want to know more?

What are the different types of apprenticeships?

Intermediate, paralegal, solicitor apprenticeships: here are the career options

Legal apprenticeship skills checklist

Here's a checklist of the necessary skills to get off to a flying start

Legal apprenticeship vacancies

Discover legal apprenticeship positions available at various law firms and organisations

Ask the Oracle

Should I do an apprenticeship or go to university?

I’m considering starting a legal apprenticeship, but are the career prospects the same as the university route? What are the main differences between a paralegal/solicitor apprenticeship and going to university?

Sponsored by

The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Everything you need to know about launching a career in law.

Feature

Legal apprenticeships: an alternative route to a legal career

For many, rises in university tuition fees have created a financial barrier to law, but legal apprenticeships can make legal careers more accessible to those with motivation and talent, as well as diversify legal training to match the increasing liberalisation of legal services, most clearly evidenced by the ongoing rise of alternative business structures.

Key questions

What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer?

Who can become an apprentice?

Do I have to study A-level law to be an apprentice?

News

Law Society voices concerns on MoJ account interest consultation

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published proposals as part of a consultation to redirect interest earned on lawyers’ client accounts into the MoJ’s budget. Law Society of England and Wales President Mark Evans criticised the plan, stating: "Firms will close, fees will rise and clients will be impacted if the MoJ goes ahead with the proposal.”

News

Law Society disappointed with lack of solicitor representation in new King’s Counsel silk appointments

The King’s Counsel Appointments (KCA) have announced the names of 96 new silks – King’s Counsel (KCs). Despite the nine solicitors who applied this year, all successful applicants were barristers, reflecting the long-standing pattern that the KC cohort is overwhelmingly drawn from the Bar. Since solicitors first became eligible for KC status in 1995, only 66 have been appointed out of 231 applicants.

News

Magic Circle partner salaries surpass average UK salaries before January underway

Both law firm partners and the top CEOs listed on the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) exceeded the average annual salary of a full-time UK worker just days into the new year, according to new analysis from the High Pay Centre.

News

President of UK Supreme Court announces retirement

The UK’s Supreme Court President Lord Reed announced that he'll step down on 10 January 2027. Law Society of England and Wales President Mark Evans stated: “We pay tribute to his service, leadership and dedication and wish him well in the future.”

Latest updates

What’s the difference between a solicitor and graduate apprenticeship?

Law Society welcomes government’s level 7 apprenticeship funding exemption

BSB announces barrister apprenticeship standard

Apprenticeship data suggests reducing higher learning funding risks growth

Legal training providers call for government to protect solicitor apprenticeships amid funding cuts

Sponsored by

Meet the Apprentice

Ava Mathias

Ava Mathias is a solicitor apprentice at RPC.

Feature

A guide to law apprenticeships

Legal apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route to becoming a lawyer that combine a paid job at a law firm with studying for formal qualifications, funded by the government and your employer. It’s an alternative to the traditional route of going to university and training to be a lawyer after graduating. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are also on the rise and new details have recently emerged regarding the introduction of barrister apprenticeships too. Find out more about the different legal apprenticeship options in this guide.

The Rookie Lawyer

What does a solicitor apprentice do?

In this article, we'll take a look at what solicitor apprenticeships entail, what they offer, and how they differ from other routes to qualifying.