The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020

The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020

APPRENTICESHIPS GUIDE THE LAW 2020

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Five key things to know about a legal apprenticeship

Welcome

How do I decide whether a law apprenticeship is for me? This guide helps you to: • compare university and apprenticeship paths so you understand what each has to offer; • learn about the different types of apprenticeship and where they lead; • find out more about what it’s like to work as a legal apprentice; and • check that you have the key skills needed for a law apprenticeship. Where can I find out more? Go to www.lawcareers.net - you will find a jobs board where apprenticeship vacancies are frequently posted, as well as detailed information on apprenticeships and every other possible career path offered by the UK legal profession.

If you are deciding whether to go to university after leaving school, or start your career as a lawyer straight away with an apprenticeship, The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020 is here to help. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about the legal profession or apprenticeships – this guide is designed to give you the information you need before you choose your next step. What is a law apprenticeship? A law apprenticeship combines paid work and training at a law firm with part-time study. It is an alternative path to going to university that offers the same career destinations, but avoids the expensive fees.

You don’t need a university degree as you progress straight from your GCSEs or A levels to your apprenticeship.

You earn while you learn. You receive a salary while working as an apprentice, at the same time as studying.

You can apply for an apprenticeship via LawCareers.Net. We have a comprehensive and searchable jobs board in ‘The Law Apprenticeships Guide’ section of www.lawcareers.net.

You can work in a law firm, private company or local government as many different types of organisation take on legal apprentices.

As a long-time advocate of work-based training, we are delighted to offer vocational training through the government-backed Trailblazer solicitor apprenticeship scheme. In addition to opening up the profession to a pipeline of diverse talent put off by the cost of full-time academic study, it enables us to integrate future lawyers into our business at a much earlier stage and provide a tailored experience. Danielle White, graduate recruitment and development manager, Mayer Brown International LLP

You will qualify as a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal having completed the necessary requirements in terms of study and work.

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Find out more in the rest of the guide.

Apprenticeship v university

Duration Apprenticeship

University

Eighteen months for the intermediate apprenticeship, 24 months for the paralegal apprenticeship and six years for the solicitor apprenticeship. It takes around five years to qualify as a legal executive.

Undergraduate degrees usually last three to four years.

University is the right path for some people because it offers the chance to study an interesting subject in detail and gain a valuable degree that opens up career options. University can also be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, filled with opportunities for getting involved in new things and meeting life-long friends. On the other hand, an apprenticeship offers a more direct path to those same career options, without the costs of going to university or the same intense competition for places. Apprenticeships are also perfect for people who are not keen on more full-time study after finishing their A levels and are eager to kick-start their careers.

It is important to remember that in the legal profession, you can have the same career whether you choose university or an apprenticeship, which means that your choice is not so much about where you end up, but how you get there – some apprenticeships even involve gaining a university degree. Law apprenticeships lead to three possible careers – solicitor, legal executive or paralegal. All three are also available if you choose to go to university. Find out more about what being a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal involves on pages 4 and 5 in “Career paths”. Meanwhile, this table explains some of the key differences between an apprenticeship and going to university.

Work experience Apprenticeship

University

Full-time work in a law firm or the legal department of a company or other organisation.

Optional work placements and internships – students interested in law should apply for work experience at law firms.

Qualifications Apprenticeship

Social life Apprenticeship

University

University

As an apprentice working and studying full time, you may miss out on some social opportunities that come with going to university, such as the chance to meet new friends among students from all over the world and enjoy all the experiences that university has to offer. However, offices often have great socialising cultures too, with plenty of activities to get involved with, and you are bound to make good friends.

The opportunities for socialising at university are fantastic. From the societies covering everything from political debating to cheerleading, to the thriving music, arts and social scenes at most universities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Professional qualifications to become a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal. Completing the solicitor apprenticeship also involves gaining a law degree.

A university degree in one of hundreds of possible subjects which is widely recognised. For a career in law, a university degree in any subject makes you eligible for the postgraduate professional courses you need to complete to become a solicitor, legal executive, paralegal or barrister.

Cost

Apprenticeship

University

Career prospects Apprenticeship

None to the apprentice – the costs of apprenticeships are covered by the government and employers, while apprentices themselves are paid at least the apprentices’ National Minimum Wage.

With tuition fees standing at over £9,000 a year and living costs on top of that, many students leave university in tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of debt.

University

Both law apprentices and university graduates can pursue a career as a solicitor, legal executive or paralegal.

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Apprenticeship career paths

between employers. The apprenticeship also integrates a law degree, which is obtained at the end of the fourth year. Apprentices learn law and legal practice alongside gaining competence in legal skills, commercial skills and professional conduct. Paralegal Paralegals have traditionally worked alongside solicitors in law firms as support staff, but in practice many paralegals do the same work as solicitors – although this is almost always for lower pay. Whether you become a paralegal through an apprenticeship or secure a job as a paralegal after graduating from university, it is possible to progress onto qualifying as a solicitor, legal executive or a more senior paralegal role. CILEx chartered legal executive A legal executive is another type of lawyer who is trained to specialise as an expert in one particular area of law. Within that specialism, the job of a legal executive is very similar to that of a solicitor – legal executives advise clients, draft documents and conduct research to find solutions to problems. Solicitor Solicitors provide advice and assistance on legal matters. They are the first point of contact for people and organisations (eg, companies and charities) seeking legal advice and representation. Solicitors may work in very different areas of law, but the fundamentals of the job remain largely the same. These include meeting and advising clients on their legal problems, doing legal research to find solutions, drafting important documents such as contracts or wills, and occasionally representing clients at tribunals or in court.

GCSE The foundation of your career and the essential first step – good grades are vital if you want to progress in your legal career. A level The academic stage between GCSE and university or the beginning of a paralegal/ solicitor apprenticeship. Again, good grades are essential. Intermediate apprenticeship The intermediate apprenticeship is aimed at school leavers who have not done A levels. Entry requirements are five GCSEs graded 9-4 (A* to C) or equivalent. Apprentices will develop skills to assist in the progression of cases on an administrative level. It is usually a 15-21 month course. Paralegal apprenticeship The paralegal apprenticeship delivers paralegal training in a particular legal practice area. Entry requirements are five GCSEs graded 9-4 (A* to C) and three A levels graded C or above (or equivalent). It is a 24-month course. It can lead on to further training via the solicitor apprenticeship route to qualify as a solicitor. It is also possible to go on to qualify as a chartered legal executive, although smaller numbers of paralegals take this route. Solicitor apprenticeship The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year programme of paid, on-the-job training which ends in qualification as a solicitor. The entry requirements are five GCSEs graded 9-4 (A* to C) and three A levels, often graded B or above (or equivalent work experience) – although minimum grade requirements vary

GCSE

A level

Intermediate apprenticeship

Paralegal apprenticeship

Paralegal

Chartered legal executive apprenticeship

Solicitor apprenticeship

Solicitor

Legal executive

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Meet the apprentice

How have you found juggling work with your study days?

I have one day a week out of the office, which I use for studying. I’m managing well so far and have not yet had to study on additional days, except when I’ve had upcoming exams or coursework deadlines. I am conscious that as the demands of work and the course increase, it might become more difficult to balance the two – although I am pleasantly surprised with how it’s turned out so far.

Chris Howes Mayer Brown International LLP

Chris is in the first year of the solicitor apprenticeship programme at Mayer Brown International LLP.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of being an apprentice?

It’s been very enjoyable studying areas at university that I have already come across at work. I learn best through doing things and my job brings classroom topics, such as the theory of contract negotiation, to life in a practical way.

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?

I had been out of education for a year and didn’t feel that university was right for me. I wanted to work and start doing something. An apprenticeship seemed like a good opportunity to get a degree, work and make a positive difference. I had previously considered a career in law and this apprenticeship was a good compromise between work and education.

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

It’s a big commitment. It’s important to keep motivated and focused on the end goal, while making the most of what you’re doing throughout the six years of the apprenticeship. In addition, make sure that you fully research each firm’s individual apprenticeship programme before applying – they’re not all the same! One of the major advantages of an apprenticeship at Mayer Brown is that we rotate every six months and are exposed to a wide variety of skills and areas of law. However, at other firms you might stay in the same area for four years. You should think about what you want in a job and what you want to spend the next six years doing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in order to gain a greater understanding of what the programme entails. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for!

What is a typical day at work like?

One of the big positives of undertaking the solicitor apprenticeship at Mayer Brown is that we change seats every six months. As a result, the work is very varied and it’s difficult to describe a typical day. I currently work in the business intake department and spend two days a week doing tasks such as client onboarding and due diligence, and two days working on General >Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16

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