FAQs
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What’s the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
Solicitors advise individuals and organisations on legal matters and ensure that their clients act in accordance with the law. Solicitors usually work in an office rather than in court.
Barristers represent clients in court (advocacy) and give specialist opinions on complex legal matters. They generally receive instructions through solicitors and frequently work in courts.
However, the distinction between solicitors and barristers has blurred slightly over time. Since the 1990s solicitors have been able to represent clients in the lower courts and, if they have enough experience and gain specific ‘higher rights’ qualifications, can become ‘solicitor advocates’, meaning they can represent clients in higher courts.
Find out more about solicitors
Find out more about barristers
What training is required to become a solicitor?
To become a solicitor, you’ll need to complete a law degree (or Graduate Diploma in Law), followed by the Legal Practice Course and undertake a two-year training contract with a law firm or other legal employer. During your training contract you’ll also need to complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC).
Routes to a legal career
GDL
LPC
PSC
What training is required to become a barrister?
To become a barrister, you’ll need to complete a law degree (or Graduate Diploma in Law), followed by the Bar Vocational Course and undertake a one-year pupillage in barristers’ chambers or with another legal employer.
Routes to a legal career
BVC
What is a training contract?
A training contract is the practical stage of training for solicitors during which time you experience a period of ‘learning on the job’, putting into practice the skills and knowledge gained on the Legal Practice Course, usually within a law firm. Most full-time training contract lasts for two years.
During your training contract, you’ll have to take more than one more set of exams – the Professional Skills Course (PSC) which cover further skills and knowledge that solicitors need in practice. You must pass the PSC in order to qualify as a solicitor.
Securing a training contract
PSC
What is pupillage?
Pupillage is the final stage of training to become a barrister, carried out after successful completion of the BVC. Pupillage is commonly one year of hands-on training in an authorised pupillage training organisation, usually a barristers’ chambers.
Securing a pupillage
BVC
Can I change to a career in law?
Every year, many people successfully make the transition to a legal career from a vast variety of professional backgrounds.
The first thing to be aware of is that, although you will almost certainly need a degree to become a solicitor or barrister, it doesn’t have to be a law degree. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is specifically designed to give non-law graduates the legal skills and expertise required to move to the next stage of postgraduate legal training.
Changing to a career in law
GDL
Do I need a law degree to become a lawyer?
Although you will almost certainly need a degree to become a solicitor or barrister, it doesn’t have to be a law degree. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is specifically designed to give non-law graduates the legal skills and expertise required to move to the next stage of postgraduate legal training. In fact, our GDL is much more than an academic conversion course and has been designed to build knowledge and skills most valued by the legal profession and that more than match a law degree.
Graduate Diploma in Law
What skills are required to be a solicitor?
Certain personal skills are necessary to be a good solicitor. These include an analytical, enquiring mind, good communication skills, an aptitude for solving problems, commercial awareness, objective decision-making skills, patience, attention to detail, organisational skills, the ability to work under pressure and solid research skills.
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What skills are required to be a barrister?
Certain personal skills are necessary to be a good barrister. These include a quick, decisive and analytical mind, persuasiveness, the ability to construct an argument, confidence, a skill for public speaking and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.
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How can I find out more about becoming a lawyer?
A good place to start is The College of Law’s Future Lawyers Association. It’s an association and resource for people taking the first steps towards a legal career. It’s free to join and open to anyone who is considering a career in law from the age of 14 upwards.
Future Lawyers Association
When do I need to apply for a training contract or pupillage?
If you’re at university, you should think about applying for training contracts or pupillage from your second year if you are studying law, or your third year if you are taking a non-law subject.
Find out more about training contracts
Find out more about pupillages
