I would like to do an LLM...is it better to do this before you do your LPC? Asking because, I read somewhere that employers prefer you to go from LPC to contract straight away...instead of having that 'gap' year...?

Will having an LLM increase my chances of getting training contract? I'm interested in corporate Law.

Hi All:

I would like to know the general procedure of becoming a solicitor in UK? So could your please clarify what stages it takes?

As I understand, (1) you become a member of the Law Society (what do they require to submit you as a member, exept of paying entry fees, of course?); (2) you apply and take LPC course...

Is that all? What are training contracts doing with all this? Or you just must have 2 years of legal practice?..

I would be very grateful if anyone could discribe the whole procedure.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Maria

to become a solicitor generally u first get an LLB (3yrs Law at undergraduate level) then u you do the LPC and after that you "train" with a law firm for about two years (training contract)

With regard to the academic phase of qualification, what you need is a degree that fulfils the requirements set down by the Law Society (and the Bar Council). This is a qualifying degree. You need to study certain subjects, but the degree does not have to be of a particular length: thus a two year senior status degree, as well as the standard 3 yr law degree, or a four year law + something degree will all do this provided you have passed (not just studied) the requisite subjects. An alternative course of action for someone without a qualifying law degree is to take a conversion course, sometimes known as the CPE or, now, the Graduate Diploma in Law. This is a one year course. Having passed this, you can then do the vocational training (LPC plus training contract).

Pixie and Imwoods:

thank you for your posts!.. I searched Internet and the site of the Law Society, but still could not find the answers to some additional questions.

I have finished my LLB in Law and Pre-Master Degree in Law from Ukrainian University. As of today I have three years of legal practice (including last 1.5 year working for leading American law firm)... In July or August 2008, I will take the Bar Exam and to become a solicitor here, in Ukraine... And this fall I am starting my LLM with UCL. After that I hoped to go for LPC and to become a solicitor in UK.

Under these circumstances, do I still have to take some courses prior LPC?..

As I already have 3 years of experience, I am not interested in taking trainee contracts... as I can just be passed by associate position with the London office of my law firm... Can I skip all these 2 years of being trainee and still become a solicitor?

I would be very grateful if you could clarify these issues.

Thanks.

Regards,
Maria

Dear Pedrius,

thanks for reply!.. This is what I was looking for. I though that some kind of QLTT should exist for such cases as mine.

Again, thank you for your reply.

With best regards,
Maria

I don't want be a spoiler here, but it seems to me that there may be a problem with your eligibility to take the QLTT.

http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qltt/apply.page

http://www.sra.org.uk/documents/solicitors/qltt/qltt-guidance.pdf

Eh, ok.

So LPC is the only way ;)