The Legal Profession Law For NonLaw Students Melanie

The Legal Profession Law For Non-Law Students Melanie King Careers Consultant Nottingham Law School

This presentation will cover: • The way forward if you are considering becoming a solicitor or barrister • What to do next • How to apply • CPE/GDL application form • Funding your courses • Sources for legal work experience • Applying for legal work experience

Solicitor • Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE • Legal Practice Course • Training Contract

Barrister • Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE • Bar Professional Training Course • Pupillage

What to do next • Apply for GDL/CPE • Research the money • Get legal work experience • Develop and maintain interests

How to apply • Apply to the Central Application Board • Details on www. lawcabs. ac. uk • Applications are on going

GDL/CPE Application Form • Why the legal profession • Career direction • Career aspirations

Funding your course • Nottingham Law School Scholarship • Trusts and Charities • Bank Loans • Law Society Bursary • Law Firm Sponsorship • Inns of Court Scholarship

Legal Work Experience Formal • Vacation schemes • Current work • Mini-pupillages • Marshalling

Legal Work Experience Informal • Self organised work experience • Voluntary work with firms • Seasonal/casual work • Work shadowing • Employer visits

What are employers looking for? • Academic ability • Awareness of what being a lawyer involves • Awareness of the environment in which the firm and its clients operate • Motivation and commitment • Competencies

Competencies • Written communication skills • Verbal communication skills • Analytical and problem solving skills • Teamwork • Working under pressure • Adaptability/flexibility • Planning and organising

Basic Format of CV Content For Solicitor • Personal Details • Education and Qualifications • Legal Work Experience • Positions of Responsibility • Achievements • Activities and Interests • Additional Skills • References

Basic Format of CV Content For Barrister • Personal Details • Education and Qualifications • Mooting/Public Speaking/Debating • Mini-pupillages • Other Legal Work Experience • General Employment • Achievements and Positions of Responsibility • Additional Skills • Interests and Activities • References

Covering letters • Usually one side of A 4 • Addressed to a named person • First paragraph – introduction • Second paragraph – why you are applying to that firm/chambers/organisation • Third paragraph – what you have to offer the firm/chambers/organisation • Fourth paragraph - conclusion

Resources • www. prospects. ac. uk • www. ntu. ac. uk/destinations • www. legal 500. com • www. lex 100. com • www. lawgazette. co. uk Solicitor • www. lawsociety. org. uk • www. lawcareers. net • www. solicitors-online. com Barrister • www. barstandardsboard. org. uk • www. barcouncil. org. uk • www. pupillages. com