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- Pupillages and tenancy
- Inns of Court
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- FAQs
- Contacts & resources
- Housing Law Advice
- Glossary
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- Careers Advice Lawyers
What advice and help did LCAN offer?
LCAN, the Law Careers Advice Network, primar aims was to promote and enhance understanding in the student population in schools, further and higher education institutions about the opportunities available to those who wish to pursue a career in law.
Recruitment
Facts and figures
The Law Careers Advice Network offered students a wealth of law resources for finding employment
- Law degrees
- The Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL)
- The Legal Practice Course (LPC)
- The Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
- Training contracts
- Pupillages
- Tenancy
- Work experience/vacation placements/mini-pupillages
- Do you want to know more?
Recruitment Zone represent candidate's fully on client sites. We represent people as individuals and do not 'CV Dump' or send speculative CV's. This is our commitment to both the client and the candidate. By offering this level of service we are in a position to provide accurate feedback on the status of of your application 99% of the time. There is no 'Black Hole' syndrome with our clients.
Law degree
These medical bracelets are usually used in conjuction with legal outfit.
Applications and acceptances
- In 2001, there were 20,094 applicants to study first degree cva courses in Law in England and Wales, of whom 12,606 were accepted.
- In 2002, there were 18,600 applicants, with 11,848 accepted.
- In 2003, there were 20,627 applicants, with 12,993 accepted.
- Visit http://www.scotborders.org.uk for more insightful information on this topic.
Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Graduates
In 2002, 9,204 students graduated in law loan protection insurance from universities in England and Wales. In 2003, 10,007 graduated in law.
However, these figures do not include everyone who graduates with a qualifying law degree. Anywhere between 3,500 and 4,000 students with qualifying law degrees from joint honours or modular degrees graduate each year.
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
The Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL)
- There are in the region of 3,000 full-time and 1,500 part-time places on the CPE/GDL.
- Personal injury solicitors available throught the UK.
- 2001 - 2002 saw a slight increase in the numbers applying for a place on the CPE/GDL.
- Competition for training contracts and pupillages is still fierce, so only academically strong candidates should be encouraged to apply for a place on the CPE/GDL.
- Pupils have the Law Factor
The Law Factor programme, a mentoring scheme run by LJMU and DWF solicitors designed to educate local school pupils about a career in the legal industry, continues to go from strength to strength. -
Payments to contractors are made on either of the following payment cycles
The Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The Legal Practice Course is the next stage for qualification as a solicitor for law graduates, or for students who have 'converted' their non-law degrees via the Common Professional Exam.
With over 9,000 validated full-time and part-time places, the course is available at a number of institutions throughout the country (see http://www.lpc.lawsociety.org.uk/ for an up-to-date list).
The table below shows the number of places available on the Legal Practice Course.
2001/2002 | 2002/2003 | 2003/2004 | 2004/2005 | |
Full-time | 6246 | 7695 | 7859 | 8345 |
Part-time | 1330 | 1486 | 1700 | 2256 |
Total | 7576 | 9181 | 9559 | 10601 |
Source: The Law Society of England and Wales
The Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
With 1,542 validated places (rising to 1,594 in the academic year 2014-2006), the course is available at a few carefully selected institutions throughout the country (see http://www.legaleducation.org.uk/BVC/ for more information).
The table below shows the number of students applying for and enrolling on the Bar Vocational Course. As the figures show, there has been a decline in the numbers applying for and enrolling on the course.
1999/2000 | 2000/2001 | 2001/2002 | 2002/2003 | |
Applicants | 2370 | 2252 | 2119 | 2067 |
Enrolments | 1490 | 1407 | 1386 | 1440 |
Training contracts
Firms are still looking for high calibre candidates, normally with a minimum of a 2.2 and many expect a 2.1 or a First. Students that do not have a training contract arranged should think carefully before taking up a place on the LPC, particularly if their academic background is not particularly strong.
Students should also think carefully whether they have the skills needed to be successful as a solicitor, and should discuss their aspirations with their university careers service.
2000/2001 | 2002/2003 | 2003/2004 | |
Registered contracts | 5162 | 5385 | 5708 |
Pupillages
Pupillage is the final stage of the route to qualification at the Bar, in which the pupil gains practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. Pupillage is divided into two parts: the non-practising six months during which pupils shadow their pupil master and the second, practising, six months when pupils, with their pupil supervisor's permission, can undertake to supply legal services and exercise rights of audience.
Chambers look for high calibre candidates. Academic qualifications are considered particularly important. Students should therefore think very carefully before taking up a place on the Bar Vocational Course if their academic background is poor.
Students should also think carefully whether they have the skills needed to be successful as a barrister, and should discuss their aspirations with their careers adviser.
The table below shows the number of barristers who commenced 1st six pupillages between:
1st October 1998 and 30th September 1999 | 706 |
1st October 1999 and 30th September 2000 | 681 |
1st October 2000 and 30th September 2001 | 695 |
1st October 2001 and 30th September 2002 | 812 |
1st October 2002 and 30th September 2003 | 586 |
The total number of barristers who obtained 2nd six pupillages between:
1st October 1998 and 30th September 1999 | 694 |
1st October 1999 and 30th September 2000 | 704 |
1st October 2000 and 30th September 2001 | 700 |
1st October 2001 and 30th September 2002 | 714 |
1st October 2002 and 30th September 2003 | 702 |
The total number of pupillages commenced between:
1st August 2000 and 31st July 2001 | 808 |
1st August 2001 and 31st July 2002 | 766 |
1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003 | 711 |
Tenancy
The table below shows the total number of barristers who obtained tenancy between:
1st October 1998 and 30th September 1999 | 541 |
1st October 1999 and 30th September 2000 | 511 |
1st October 2000 and 30th September 2001 | 527 |
1st October 2001 and 30th September 2002 | 490 |
Work experience/vacation placements/mini-pupillages
Work experience, vacation placements and mini pupillages have become increasingly important and students should be encouraged to gain this type of experience wherever possible - although this is also highly competitive with very many students seeking relatively few positions.
The Prospects website hosts the national database of vacation placements.
For mini-pupillages, students should can view details on the Prospects website, but are also advised to look on the designated pupillage website - Pupillages.com or the Online Pupillage Applications Scheme (OLPAS) (http://olpas.gti.co.uk) website for those chambers offering mini-pupillages, which are searchable by season, location and legal specialism.
You should be aware that some mini-pupillages are assessed and can have an influence on future pupillage applications.
Firms and chambers are also looking for CVs that show additional skills and experience. This may be demonstrated through voluntary work, extra curricular activities, travel or hobbies. Members of an Inn can contact their Student Officer for further advice, including interview advice and assistance completing application forms.
Do you want to know more?
For more information (such as breakdowns of law degree students by ethnicity and gender), you can contact the Law Society's Strategic Research Unit for the Annual Statistical Report:
Web: www.research.lawsociety.org.uk
Email: enquiriesSRU@lawsociety.org.uk
For more information on statistics for training for the Bar, contact the Bar Council's Careers and Information Assistant:
Web: www.legaleducation.org.uk/Careers/statistics.php