Legal Trainee/Apprentiship Help

[FocusRS3]

My Son has been doing work experience at my local Solicitors this week, something I arranged for him.

He finds he absolutely loves it even though he is doing the Jub jobs as well as some more serious tasks.

He is currently awaiting his GCSE results (which I think may be a mixed bag but lets stay positive) and we have raised the question on a Legal apprenticeship as opposed to going right through A'levels then Uni.

Whilst we appreciate he cannot become a legal expert without being qualified and maybe getting a degree we, and he, are keen for him to get a job if possible.

Basically we are really unsure how best to advise him as we have ne previous experience or knowledge of how it all works.

Any advise would be enormously helpful . Tks in advance

[edc]

Look at the Law Society website. They have a careers section explaining other paths and roles outside of Solicitor and Barrister.

[Nezquick]

Hi

This is exactly how I got into law 20 years ago (albeit it wasn't a formal apprenticeship back then). Left sixth form at 18 with no clue what I wanted to do and just so happened to have a job in a law firm mentioned to me. I applied and got it and started very much at the bottom in the post room, helping out with copying etc all whilst studying at night to become a Chartered Legal Executive (check out the CILEX website). That progressed to having my own case load, then to going to Court, investigating claims, then to dealing with catastrophic injuries and I now manage my own team of fee earners.

This is one of the easiest ways to get into law (as opposed to doing the law degree/LPC/trainee route, which is very competitive). The course takes around 4 years and is a combination of coursework and exams and at the end he would be qualified as a Member of CILEX. After 2 years in practice, he would then become a Fellow. Not sure of the current costs of this course as generally an employer will pay.

The company I now work for (large multi-national law firm in Manchester) offer apprenticeships to young people and pay for them to qualify/learn as they work. You need to get your son to look into that as many large firms offer this route given the new government initiatives and incentives. We have a number of apprentices at present in the team and all of them are loving it.

Good luck to him!

[Nickbrapp]

Lol don’t bother, he will be worked to death for a pittance and expected to work unpaid overtime doing awful cases and work the weekend for free

Sounds like he just likes the work environment rather than the work

Why not get him a real apprenticeship like a electrician if he’s not that bright but happy to work

[FocusRS3]

Nezquick said:

Hi

This is exactly how I got into law 20 years ago (albeit it wasn't a formal apprenticeship back then). Left sixth form at 18 with no clue what I wanted to do and just so happened to have a job in a law firm mentioned to me. I applied and got it and started very much at the bottom in the post room, helping out with copying etc all whilst studying at night to become a Chartered Legal Executive (check out the CILEX website). That progressed to having my own case load, then to going to Court, investigating claims, then to dealing with catastrophic injuries and I now manage my own team of fee earners.

This is one of the easiest ways to get into law (as opposed to doing the law degree/LPC/trainee route, which is very competitive). The course takes around 4 years and is a combination of coursework and exams and at the end he would be qualified as a Member of CILEX. After 2 years in practice, he would then become a Fellow. Not sure of the current costs of this course as generally an employer will pay.

The company I now work for (large multi-national law firm in Manchester) offer apprenticeships to young people and pay for them to qualify/learn as they work. You need to get your son to look into that as many large firms offer this route given the new government initiatives and incentives. We have a number of apprentices at present in the team and all of them are loving it.

Good luck to him!

Wow enormously helpful SOOOOOOO kind.

I'll put this in front of him later this evening.


PS- Would you suggest he does 6th Form first or can he apply/try at the now age of 16? Tks Again

Edited by FocusRS3 on Wednesday 8th August 13:42

[FocusRS3]

Nickbrapp said:

Lol don’t bother, he will be worked to death for a pittance and expected to work unpaid overtime doing awful cases and work the weekend for free

Sounds like he just likes the work environment rather than the work

Why not get him a real apprenticeship like a electrician if he’s not that bright but happy to work

He actually has a v high IQ but its getting him to apply his mind at times as he has A.D.D.

Once he finds something he is interested in he'll crack on with it hence me wanting to explore this further.

Strangely my father was an Electrician

[Nezquick]

FocusRS3 said:

Nezquick said:

Hi

This is exactly how I got into law 20 years ago (albeit it wasn't a formal apprenticeship back then). Left sixth form at 18 with no clue what I wanted to do and just so happened to have a job in a law firm mentioned to me. I applied and got it and started very much at the bottom in the post room, helping out with copying etc all whilst studying at night to become a Chartered Legal Executive (check out the CILEX website). That progressed to having my own case load, then to going to Court, investigating claims, then to dealing with catastrophic injuries and I now manage my own team of fee earners.

This is one of the easiest ways to get into law (as opposed to doing the law degree/LPC/trainee route, which is very competitive). The course takes around 4 years and is a combination of coursework and exams and at the end he would be qualified as a Member of CILEX. After 2 years in practice, he would then become a Fellow. Not sure of the current costs of this course as generally an employer will pay.

The company I now work for (large multi-national law firm in Manchester) offer apprenticeships to young people and pay for them to qualify/learn as they work. You need to get your son to look into that as many large firms offer this route given the new government initiatives and incentives. We have a number of apprentices at present in the team and all of them are loving it.

Good luck to him!

Wow enormously helpful SOOOOOOO kind.

I'll put this in front of him later this evening.


PS- Would you suggest he does 6th Form first or can he apply/try at the now age of 16? Tks Again

Edited by FocusRS3 on Wednesday 8th August 13:42

You used to be able to start CILEX at 16 but I'm not sure if you still can or not. Worth looking into but I would always recommend him doing his A-levels first and then reconsidering his options. Can he take Law at A-level? That would surely help him decide. He may want to go to Uni in which case if he leaves school now, that option will be much harder for him.

As said above though, he would need to accept that starting at the bottom is normal and the pay will not be great until he starts getting his own cases. Think £15k or so to start, around £22k for a paralegal, £30k for a Member of CILEX and then once he gets to Fellow stage, there isn't really a limit on earnings depending on the employer. The salary is very much dependent on experience though in my opinion. He should try and work in as many different areas as he can to decide what it is he wants to do.

[FocusRS3]

Nezquick said:

You used to be able to start CILEX at 16 but I'm not sure if you still can or not. Worth looking into but I would always recommend him doing his A-levels first and then reconsidering his options. Can he take Law at A-level? That would surely help him decide. He may want to go to Uni in which case if he leaves school now, that option will be much harder for him.

As said above though, he would need to accept that starting at the bottom is normal and the pay will not be great until he starts getting his own cases. Think £15k or so to start, around £22k for a paralegal, £30k for a Member of CILEX and then once he gets to Fellow stage, there isn't really a limit on earnings depending on the employer. The salary is very much dependent on experience though in my opinion. He should try and work in as many different areas as he can to decide what it is he wants to do.

Yup we need to look into at what age he can start but I think you’re right with staying on yo do A levels .
He has pretty much decided the subjects he is going to do at A level and Law isn’t one of them .
Also we are awaiting his GCSE results later this month so that may we’ll have a bearing on what avenue he takes .

The salaries you mention are bang in line with what I’ve read which although not sparkling to start with will at least get him on a career path .

Once again mate very helpful post 👍

[FocusRS3]

So looks like the lad is wanting to go the full Uni route and get a law degree.

Will have to see what GCSE results are first and go from there .

Will keep the thread updated tks again

[Countdown]

FocusRS3 said:

So looks like the lad is wanting to go the full Uni route and get a law degree.

Will have to see what GCSE results are first and go from there .

Will keep the thread updated tks again

Hi FoucRS3

My daughter did an LLB at Manchester Uni (back when fees were only £3k per annum), then another £10k to get her LPC and she's just about to finish her 2nd year training in a Practice. And traineeships in Law firms are like hen's teeth made of gold dust.

I would strongly recommend a Legal Apprenticeship if he can get one, cheaper and faster!

https://www.lawcareers.net/Starting-Out/Law-Appren...

[FocusRS3]

Countdown said:

Hi FoucRS3

My daughter did an LLB at Manchester Uni (back when fees were only £3k per annum), then another £10k to get her LPC and she's just about to finish her 2nd year training in a Practice. And traineeships in Law firms are like hen's teeth made of gold dust.

I would strongly recommend a Legal Apprenticeship if he can get one, cheaper and faster!

https://www.lawcareers.net/Starting-Out/Law-Appren...

Thanks Countdown this is indeed very interesting and whilst he’s doing his work experience I’ll put this to him so he can show the team already there .

Just so I understand is your daughter on some work release programme where she studies for a law degree whilst still working ?

I’m also very nervous of him racking up Uni fees as is he so we looked last night at our local Uni which offers Law degree courses where that way he can travel home rather than stay on campus .

I’m assuming your daughter did 6th form first ?

Cheers for everyone’s help

Edited by FocusRS3 on Thursday 9th August 07:56

[Countdown]

FocusRS3 said:

Thanks Countdown this is indeed very interesting and whilst he’s doing his work experience I’ll put this to him so he can show the team already there .

Just so I understand is your daughter on some work release programme where she studies for a law degree whilst still working ?

I’m also very nervous of him racking up Uni fees as is he so we looked last night at our local Uni which offers Law degree courses where that way he can travel home rather than stay on campus .

I’m assuming your daughter did 6th form first ?

Cheers for everyone’s help

HI Focus - yes my daughter went down the traditional route (A-levels in 6th form, University, then she got a Paralegal role with a small firm of Solicitors and started doing the LPC and now she's doing the 2 years training to get the full qualification).

If your son isn't absolutely sure what he wants to do then going to Uni is fine as it will allow him to keep his options open. But if he's dead set on a certain career then I would suggest cutting out the University stage as he'll end up saving himself £50k. .

[FocusRS3]

Countdown said:

HI Focus - yes my daughter went down the traditional route (A-levels in 6th form, University, then she got a Paralegal role with a small firm of Solicitors and started doing the LPC and now she's doing the 2 years training to get the full qualification).

If your son isn't absolutely sure what he wants to do then going to Uni is fine as it will allow him to keep his options open. But if he's dead set on a certain career then I would suggest cutting out the University stage as he'll end up saving himself £50k. .

Ok many tks . I don't see the point in wearing 50k if there is a cheaper option where he can maybe study in his spare time although the young newly qualified solicitor there is telling him to go Uni, drink beer and remain young as long as possible !
Maybe the only way is if he works part time and is prepared to take the debt forward himself

[anonymous-user]

The value of university is incalculable. It should not be thought of purely in financial terms. Done properly, university is a life changing experience that expands the mind, opens many doors, and brings with it lifetime memories and lifetime friendships. The student loan is in reality a form of deferred taxation on those who earn reasonable amounts after graduating. It ought not to be a deterrent to a talented person.

If a young person has academic gifts, he or she should maybe consider studying a subject that he or she is interested in and is good at, preferably at a research-led university (this usually means a member of the Russell Group). The subject need not be vocational. It is not necessary to obtain a law degree in order to qualify as a lawyer. Taking a degree in a subject other than law adds one year to the qualification process. Finding funding for that year is not easy but also not impossible. There are some grant making trusts, some employers may offer part funding, there are competitive scholarships available, and part time or vacation work may also be an option.

[IrateNinja]

Breadvan72 said:

The value of university is incalculable. It should not be thought of purely in financial terms. Done properly, university is a life changing experience that expands the mind, opens many doors, and brings with it lifetime memories and lifetime friendships. The student loan is in reality a form of deferred taxation on those who earn reasonable amounts after graduating. It ought not to be a deterrent to a talented person.

If a young person has academic gifts, he or she should maybe consider studying a subject that he or she is interested in and is good at, preferably at a research-led university (this usually means a member of the Russell Group). The subject need not be vocational. It is not necessary to obtain a law degree in order to qualify as a lawyer. Taking a degree in a subject other than law adds one year to the qualification process. Finding funding for that year is not easy but also not impossible. There are some grant making trusts, some employers may offer part funding, there are competitive scholarships available, and part time or vacation work may also be an option.

Breadvan,

I've enjoyed your posts and concede that law is not my area (engineering is mine), however I do feel you are overstating the university experience in comparison to the alternative. I came through the apprenticeship route after having left school at 16, and have since been fortunate enough to secure funding to complete both a BEng and an MSc. University is not only an option at school leaver age. The benefit to professional development of this was huge to me. Also, on the personal development front I've been fortunate to have worked with a lot of good people from whom I've learned a lot. Yes, going to university has it's benefits, but for me and where I was at the start of my working life in 2007, I wouldn't be comfortable signing up to 50k(+) worth of debt.

[anonymous-user]

Most things are optional. Approaching life by attaching a numerical value to everything is optional . Choosing to value things in a different way is optional.

Student debt is, as mentioned above, a form of deferred graduate tax on people who do reasonably well after studying (not all do) . Many people think nothing of borrowing large sums to obtain a car that will be worthless a few years after the money is borrowed, or to fund a house (usually that will not be worthless, but the commitment is still huge and not risk free). Some may take the view that investing in themselves is a thing worth doing. All of these things are optional.