How long are you a trainee solicitor?

Asked by: Dr. Madisen Schimmel III  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (16 votes)

A training contract in law is a two-year training period carried out in a law firm or in-house in a large organisation by law graduates pursuing a career as a solicitor. This period of recognised training is regulated by the Solicitor's Regulatory Authority (SRA).

How much do trainee solicitors earn UK?

First-year trainee salaries in regional law firms range from £20,000 to £39,000. High street firms typically offer training salaries of £22,000 to £30,000.

How long is training contract?

A training contract lasts two years. As a trainee, you would be posted to four different teams around the firm – we call these 'seats' and each seat lasts six months.

How do I become a solicitor in 2021 UK?

It is part of a new, four-stage route to becoming a solicitor:
  1. A degree (or equivalent) in any subject.
  2. Pass SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.
  3. A minimum of two years Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
  4. Show you are of satisfactory character and suitability.

Which pays more barrister or solicitor?

Solicitors have a more stable income but the top barristers get paid more than most top solicitors; although the average solicitor may be paid more. Add to that the one year barristers have to spend in pupillage/deviling and the risks of taking the barrister path are higher.

Trainee Solicitor - Career Insights (Careers in Law)

18 related questions found

Is a trainee solicitor a lawyer?

In the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, and certain other English common law jurisdictions, a trainee solicitor is a prospective lawyer undergoing professional training at a law firm or an in-house legal team to qualify as a full-fledged solicitor.

How long does it take to become a solicitor UK?

It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It will be longer if you study a different subject for your degree and decide later you want to follow a legal career.

Is a solicitor a lawyer?

A solicitor is a type of lawyer that provides expert, tailored legal advice for clients, often from the earliest stages of a potential case.

Can I become a solicitor without a law degree UK?

You can become a lawyer without a law degree. When you have completed your undergraduate study in a different subject, you'll need to take an SQE preparation course. However, if you study law at undergraduate level you should ensure that your course is a qualifying degree.

What is expected of a trainee solicitor?

Usually the trainee on the deal will be tasked with liaising with local counsel which involves checking for updates, reviewing their documents and giving the “greenlight” for execution. For example, you could be working on a deal spanning across 78 jurisdictions!

What do you do as a trainee solicitor?

What Does a Trainee Solicitor Do?
  • Attending meetings with clients.
  • Drafting emails and letters to clients.
  • Drafting and negotiating legal documents and contracts.
  • Attending interviews.
  • Preparing for and attending court proceedings.
  • Administrative tasks such as proofreading documents.

Can a trainee solicitor be sacked?

The SRA states that trainee solicitors are common law apprentices, which means that you cannot be terminated as part of a redundancy process.

What is the highest paying law firm?

  • #1. McDermott Will & Emery. SCORE 9.807. ...
  • #2. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. SCORE 9.608. ...
  • #3. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. SCORE 9.599. ...
  • #4. Clifford Chance US LLP. SCORE 9.593. ...
  • #5. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. SCORE 9.570. ...
  • #6. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. ...
  • #7. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. ...
  • #8. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Which area of law pays the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:
  • Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ...
  • Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ...
  • Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ...
  • Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

How much does a first year solicitor earn?

A newly qualified solicitor in a regional firm or smaller commercial practice may expect to earn around £25,000 to £40,000. Starting salaries for newly qualified solicitors in larger commercial firms and those in the City will be from £58,000 to £65,000, with the larger City firms paying £80,000 or more.

Can a solicitor speak in court?

If a case goes to court, it is unlikely that a solicitor will represent their client although certain solicitors can appear in court as advocates. Instead, a solicitor will generally refer the work to a barrister or specialist advocate for expert advice or to instruct them to appear in court to represent the client.

Is a solicitor higher than a lawyer?

But when we see 'lawyer' being used, it's likely going to be referring to someone who can practise the law – usually a solicitor or barrister. These are two different types of lawyers, who have had different training and experience. There is no hierarchy, with neither solicitors nor barristers acting as more senior.

What is a solicitor salary UK?

Solicitor Salary in the UK

The average salary for a Solicitor is £55,200 gross per year (£3,380 net per month), which is £25,600 (+86%) higher than the UK's national average salary. A Solicitor can expect an average starting salary of £34,700. The highest salaries can exceed £140,000.

What GCSEs do I need to be a lawyer?

The short answer to this question is that, in order to be a Lawyer, you will be required to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including passes in English, Maths and Science. These GCSEs are required for most Law-related A-Levels, as well as being basic requirements for most Law University courses.

Is being a solicitor worth it?

The role of a solicitor is highly valued and respected in the UK, and it can also be highly rewarding by working to achieve a successful outcome for your client or community. Excellent career progression.

Is being a solicitor hard?

Solicitors can often struggle with balancing their work life with their home and family commitments. ... Becoming a solicitor is an expensive process. Any promising candidate needs a qualifying degree, followed by (for non-law students), a GDL and (for all candidates, an LPC.

Is being a trainee solicitor hard?

(If you don't then read this.) And there's a good reason for that: being a trainee is demanding. You're expected to work hard all the time, deal with competing demands, always be responsive, get to know several different practice areas, impress your seniors... and then there's retention to worry about.

How do I become a trainee solicitor?

How do I become a trainee solicitor? There's a set path you'll need to follow to become a solicitor. If you don't have a law degree you'll first need to complete a law conversion course, known as the common professional examination (CPE) or graduate diploma in law (GDL).

Do trainee solicitors have rights of audience?

Since the great majority of family proceedings in the Family Court and the High Court is conducted in private, the effect of these provisions is that, in practice, solicitors, legal executives and trainee solicitors are normally able to exercise rights of audience in such proceedings as of right.