How to Become a Solicitor

Solicitors are legal advisors who represent and defend their clients’ legal interests. Learn more about the duties of a solicitor, the skills required, and how to become qualified.

A solicitor is not the same as a barrister. A person seeking legal assistance will usually consult a solicitor first. However, the solicitor may refer the matter to a barrister if the client requires specialised guidance.

While both solicitors and barristers supply professional counsel and can represent clients in court, barristers are more likely to engage in advocacy work, which involves representing clients in higher courts.

It takes a lot of dedication to become a lawyer. You must study and train full-time for at least six years, and there is fierce rivalry for training contracts. Therefore learn all you can about what a legal career entails by contacting lawyers, such as at employment fairs, to apply for work experience.

Solicitors advocate and defend their clients’ legal rights, as well as providing advice in a variety of scenarios, such as:

• Providing expert guidance on common difficulties such as home purchases and sales, as well as dealing with relationship breakups
• Assisting businesses with economic transactions ensuring that individuals’ rights are protected and that public and private authorities treat them fairly
• In certain cases, they are offering free assistance (pro bono) for persons who cannot pay for legal services.

Where do lawyers work?

Solicitors can work in a variety of settings, including the following:

• Firms of lawyers (private practice)
• The Crown Prosecution Service law centres
• Central or local government legal offices
• Within organisations (in-house)

• How much do lawyers make?

The quantity of money you could make is determined by a variety of things, like success and succeeding as a solicitor. In order to do this, you must be determined and motivated.

• A legal career necessitates:

1. intellectual ability – the law is complicated adaptability – no two days are alike commitment – training takes time and effort
2. good communication abilities (oral and written)
3. employers value personal qualities and attributes as well as a good academic background, for example:
4. a willingness to put in long hours
5. ethical behaviour and personal integrity
6. ability to talk with people and gain their respect commercial awareness

Qualifications

You’ll generally need the following to get accepted for a law degree:

1. For the most popular programmes, a minimum of two A levels and three A levels at A grade are required.
2. a least of 5 O levels in Mathematics, English and, in certain cases, a subject such as a foreign language, with a grade of C or higher
3. For even the most popular programmes, a minimum number A levels and 3 A grades at A grade are required.
4. a least of 5 Final exams with a score of C or higher in Mathematics, English and, in some cases, a subject such as a foreign language

Although certain colleges have specific topic requirements, you do not usually need to have completed A level law to pursue a legal degree. To find out what universities are seeking for, do some research and compare courses.

How much time does it take?

If you study law full-time, it normally takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor. However, it will take longer if you study a different subject for your bachelor’s degree and then decide to pursue a legal career afterwards.

Hinton Law are solicitors in Hervey Bay. Contact them for legal assistance.