The Aspire Guide - Flipbook - Page 46
Law: Barrister
Barristers are legal specialists who represent individuals and organisations in courts
and tribunals.
Most barristers are self-employed, and some work in specific organisations such as charities
and the Crown Prosecution Service. Barristers specialise in different areas of law including
family law, commercial law, criminal law, environmental law and sports law. Earnings are
highly variable, and can be low when you first start out.
What they’re looking for:
There are three components to becoming a barrister. Firstly, you’ll need to complete the academic
component by getting a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in law, or in a non-law subject followed
by the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Next is the vocational component - you’ll have to pass the Bar
Course Aptitude Test (which tests critical thinking), become a member of one of the Inns of Court and
then undertake a Bar training course. Lastly, you’ll have to complete the work-based component by
doing a pupillage. These are very competitive so you will need relevant work experience to make your
application stand out, such as a mini-pupillage, work shadowing, paralegal work and voluntary work.
Salary expectations:
Typical graduate salary: £19,000-£50,000
Potential salary (after five years experience): £50,000-£150,000
Top earners (10-15 years experience): £200,000+
Law: Solicitor
Solicitors advise their clients (individuals, groups or businesses/organisations) on the legal
action they should take. Qualified solicitors can work privately, in-house for companies, in
government or in the courts. The work carried out by a solicitor varies depending on where
you work, your specialist area and the case you are working on.
What they’re looking for:
To become a solicitor, you will need an undergraduate degree. If you haven’t studied law at university,
you will need to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) - commonly referred to as a law
conversion course - or a similar post-graduate qualification to help prepare you for the Solicitors
Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Once you have completed a law degree or non-law degree followed by a conversion course (or similar),
you will then need to study for and pass both stages of the SQE. Subsequently, you will need to complete
two years of full-time qualifying work experience. This is often completed at the firm in which you will
eventually qualify as a solicitor. Some firms may cover the costs of your PGDL (if applicable), SQE 1
and 2 preparation courses and exams. You must also satisfy the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA)
character and suitability requirements.
Salary expectations:
Big City Firms
Local/Regional Firms
Typical graduate salary
£40,000-£50,000
£18,000-£35,000
Potential salary (after five years
experience)
£80,000-£150,000
£30,000-£70,000
Top earners (10-15 years experience)
£200,000-£1,000,000+
£100,000+
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