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How to become a lawyer

So how do you become a lawyer? It takes more than just a law degree. In fact, it starts at school. Because you’ll need top grades throughout your academic career to become a solicitor or barrister.

The quickest route? Top marks in GCSEs and A-levels, at least a 2.1 law degree at University and professional training for two years after that. Depending on the qualification you want, that takes five or six years from beginning University.

If you want to be a barrister, you’ll need to take the one-year Bar Vocational Course (BVC), followed by at least a 12-month pupillage in chambers (pupillages are divided into two six-month periods, known as ‘sixes’).

To be a solicitor, you have to pass the one-year Legal Practice Course (LPC) followed by a two-year training contract. Usually this will be with a firm of solicitors or the legal section of a commercial firm or government department.

Both LPC and BVC courses involve training on theory and in practice, and are offered by universities and colleges across the country (BPP and College of Law are two of the best-known).

If you’re a graduate in a non-law subject, you can still qualify as a barrister or solicitor. You’ll need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) before taking the LPC/BVC course. This is an extra year’s study covering the foundations of law, namely contract, tort, criminal law, equity & trusts, EU law, property and public law.

Think ahead

The legal profession recruits years in advance. In fact, many employers do so during the penultimate year of the law degree. So it’s never too soon for you to plot your path from school to university to a firm or chambers.

Results matter

To get ahead of the pack, get ahead at school. Most University law courses require A and B grade GCSEs and a minimum of three good A-level grades (note, some firms and chambers won’t accept an A-level in General Studies). At the under graduate stage, also look for informal work experience, either through your sixth form or college or via contacts of family and friends.

At University, you’ll need good grades too. Firms and chambers considering candidates for work experience, pupillages or training contracts take into account first and second-year exam results, and want to see a steady stream of 2.1s and Firsts.

Use a specialist legal recruitment consultancy

A true specialist – such as BCL – can be a valuable source of information and advise you throughout your career. We’ll be able to help you once you have a minimum of six months’ fee earning experience (although we can’t help you get a training contract).