4 Ways to Become a Legal Advisor in the United Kingdom
Aspiring legal advisors can follow various paths in the United Kingdom. The initial step involves earning a law degree. The degree consists of two stages, with the first covering core knowledge while elective options form part of the second stage – this allows students to specialize in areas like property law or business law while other core practices like advocacy and interviewing are included as core practice areas as electives within taxation or legal practice will help develop written skills further; some traineeship programs allow legal advisors to customize electives courses according to traineeship agreements.
SQE
Students outside of the UK can begin qualifying under the SQE from September 2021 onwards. To qualify, they must possess an equivalent UK qualification and complete two years of qualifying work experience either within England and Wales or elsewhere – it’s important to keep up-to-date on changes by regularly visiting regulatory bodies’ websites.
The old route remains available, though its use will likely diminish before 2032. City law firms do not cater for dual streams of graduates and may switch over to an SQE-only pathway by 2022; even then, however, LPC may become less available; hybrid cohorts may still exist at certain firms in this regard; those who have begun training may need to find another means of qualifying.
Legal practice course
Legal Practice Course (LPC) for legal advisers in the UK covers many key aspects of law practice. Not only will students prepare for their bar examination, but this course also equips them to manage various situations that arise within legal practice, from ethics and legal practice through will drafting/review and contract drafting/review to will writing/review and contract review. Although at first glance the content may seem dull or dry, it is divided into three distinct phases: elective modules; compulsory modules and practical skills training modules (where electives include legal writing/interviewing/advising whilst compulsory modules cover Business Law/Property Law/civil Litigation and criminal litigation/court procedures/suits).
The LPC lasts for 9.5 months and includes compulsory subjects prescribed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The initial part of the course includes a professional conduct module. At stage 2, students choose among criminal, real estate litigation, commercial debt finance law and intellectual property. Students selecting advanced Criminal, Real Estate and Intellectual Property subjects during stage three. Some universities also offer optional subjects depending on demand and schedules.
Apprenticeships
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Lawyer? Apprenticeshipsoffrent If you are contemplating a legal career, an apprenticeship program can provide invaluable hands-on experience in the field. Most law firms provide such programs, with low and streamlined requirements; some also provide financial support as well as paid study leave for assessments and classes. An apprenticeship could even qualify you for higher degrees such as LLM degrees!
Legal advisers looking to start an apprenticeship can find opportunities with law firms in London or Newcastle starting September 2021. Each firm will seek three solicitor apprentices and six paralegal apprentices; to be eligible, you should have just finished A-Levels in your final year; 20% of working hours have been set aside for studying purposes while tuition fees will be covered through apprenticeship levy contributions.
Scots law
Studying Scots law as part of your undergraduate degree will give you an advantage when applying to legal adviser courses in England. Scottish laws are similar to English ones, yet their mens rea can differ, meaning you need to know about these differences prior to seeking admission to the Scottish bar. In order to become qualified legal advisor in Britain, one will need to complete a diploma in professional legal practice (DPLP).
The Advocate General of Scotland serves as the premier legal advisor on Scottish law. He advises and represents UK government in Scotland while also assessing legislative competence of Scottish parliament, referring issues directly to Supreme Court. To become a legal advisor in United Kingdom you must study Scots law; for this to happen you need to become fluent in Scottish.
Northern Ireland law
Attorneys-General in both England and Wales and Northern Ireland share responsibility for overseeing major legal cases. While Attorneys-General attend cabinet meetings, Attorney General for Northern Ireland does not. Instead, an Advocate General from England and Wales serves in his place; both positions require legal knowledge. A career as either legal advisor in either jurisdiction could prove rewarding.
The UK government has sought legal advice regarding an attempt to override current Northern Ireland arrangements, though this would likely enrage unionists and prompt EU trade sanctions against Britain. At present, UK ministers have not taken a final decision; EU vice president Maros Sreckovic called Foreign Secretary Liz Truss of UK government and discussed it; their discussion reportedly became “tetchy”.