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.

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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.

Want to know more?

What are the different types of apprenticeships?

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

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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?

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

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

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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

New interns join Law Society as part of #10000BlackInterns initiative

A total of 10 interns have started a six-week paid internship at the Law Society of England and Wales as part of the #10000BlackInterns initiative, which aims to increase diversity across multiple industries, including law.

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High Court warns lawyers over AI misuse after fake case-law citations

The High Court has issued a warning to UK legal professionals following the alleged misuse of AI in two recent legal proceedings, where fake case-law citations had been submitted in court. The ruling, delivered by president of the King’s Bench Division Dame Victoria Sharp, urged immediate action to address the misuse’s “serious implications for the administration of justice and public confidence in the justice system”.

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Applications open for LawCareersNetLIVE 2025

Applications are now open for LawCareers.Net’s legal careers conferences, LawCareersNetLIVE sponsored by The University of Law, taking place in November and December later this year.

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CILEX ‘Chartered Paralegal' status receives approval

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has received Privy Council approval to amend its Royal Charter and introduce the title of CILEX 'Chartered Paralegal’ – a “significant step” in providing paralegals with formal career recognition and acknowledgement of their achievements.

Latest updates

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

Costs lawyer apprenticeship on the horizon

Shoosmiths announces solicitor apprenticeship pilot

Magic circle law firm to introduce solicitor apprenticeship from 2025

Barrister apprenticeships to improve access to legal profession

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

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

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.