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What skills does it take to be a solicitor?

Certain personal skills are necessary to be a good solicitor. These include:

• an analytical, enquiring mind – with the ability to draw out key issues from a mass of information
• clear verbal, listening and written communication skills to gather information and articulate it to others
• the aptitude to solve problems in a practical way that helps your client
• an ability and interest in generating new business and winning clients
• objective decision-making skills – the capacity to be clear about what needs to be done
• patience, close attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• the ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines
• solid analytical and research skills.

Specific requirements for different work practices

Beyond these core skills, there are specific characteristics, experiences, aptitudes and qualifications that different employers will be looking for in trainee solicitors.

Select a practice type to find out exactly what’s required from solicitors working in these areas.

City and corporate firms 

National and regional firms 

High street and general commercial firms 

Specialist (niche) firms 

In-house practices: commerce and industry 

Local government 

Magistrates’ courts 

Publicly funded work

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 

Government Legal Service (GLS)