Anaya Nolan
Family law is a unique and diverse field that requires lawyers to get personally involved in the sensitive areas of their clients' lives. It can be a challenging and stimulating career path, and those who choose to specialise in family law often do so because they are deeply interested in the human aspect of the law and how it can help people during some of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.
If you're considering a career in family law, there are several steps you'll need to take to become a certified practitioner in this field. This includes obtaining the necessary qualifications, such as A-Levels and an undergraduate degree, choosing your area of specialisation, and gaining practical experience through training contracts or work experience.
In addition to academic and technical skills, a career in family law also requires strong soft skills, such as people skills, social skills, professionalism, resilience, and empathy. It is important to have the right temperament and personality suited for dealing with children and adults in distressing situations.
Becoming a family law solicitor can be a rewarding career choice for those who are dedicated to helping others and possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and attributes.
What You'll Learn
Education and qualifications
The first step towards becoming a family lawyer is to obtain your A-Levels. While Law is available to take at this stage, it is not a prerequisite for pursuing a law degree. However, some universities may require specific subjects, such as Law, English, or History, so it is important to check the entry requirements of your desired university.
The next step is to obtain an undergraduate law degree (LLB). Most law firms require their employees to have a minimum of a 2:1 classification. This degree can be in any subject and is not limited to Law. Where a Law degree is not available, non-law graduates can take a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Law (GDL), a one-year mandatory conversion course for those aspiring to become barristers or solicitors in England and Wales.
Following your undergraduate degree, you will need to choose your specialisation and pursue further qualifications. If you want to become a barrister, you must take the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), a one or two-year postgraduate course that prepares students for a career in law as a barrister. Alternatively, the Legal Practice Course (LPC) is a similar one or two-year postgraduate course that prepares students for a career as a solicitor.
After obtaining your LPC or BPTC, you will need to gain practical experience and special training from a law firm. This can be achieved by obtaining a fixed two-year training contract in four areas of law, with students spending six months in each department, known as 'seats'. During this time, you will also be expected to complete a Professional Skills Course, funded by your law firm. Successful completion of this stage will qualify you for admittance to the 'Roll of Solicitors'.
Another route to becoming a family lawyer is through the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). This route requires an undergraduate-level degree in any subject, followed by two years of full-time qualifying work experience, passing both stages of the Solicitors Qualifications Examinations, and meeting the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) character and suitability requirements. This route typically takes a minimum of five years but can be longer depending on the degree undertaken.
It is worth noting that the legal profession is undergoing changes, and the SRA has introduced new character and suitability criteria. The traditional foundation courses, such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), Legal Practice Course (LPC), and Professional Skills Course (PSC), have been replaced by two endorsed examinations. This shift aims to provide a wider range of opportunities for aspiring lawyers and improve the industry as a whole.
To summarise, the path to becoming a family lawyer involves obtaining your A-Levels, pursuing an undergraduate degree, choosing your specialisation, gaining practical experience, and meeting any additional requirements, such as passing examinations or obtaining accreditation.
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Work experience
Gaining work experience is crucial if you want to become a family law solicitor. It will give you a taste of what working in family law is like and provide you with valuable skills and knowledge that will benefit your career. It will also demonstrate your passion and commitment to the field, setting you apart from other candidates in the eyes of employers.
There are several ways to gain work experience in family law:
- Vacation schemes or formal work experience at a family law firm: This is a great way to get exposure to the day-to-day work of a family law solicitor. You will have the opportunity to work with experienced solicitors, learn about the legal system, and develop important skills such as research, analysis, and communication.
- Mini pupillage: By shadowing a barrister working on a family law case, you will gain first-hand experience of court proceedings and develop an understanding of the strategies and techniques used by barristers.
- Marshalling: Marshalling involves shadowing a judge during a family law court hearing. This will give you valuable insights into the decision-making process and help you understand how judges interpret and apply the law.
- University essay contests: Entering and winning prizes in family law essay competitions at university will not only showcase your interest and knowledge in the field but also help you develop important research and writing skills.
- Pro bono work in legal clinics: Taking part in family pro bono work will allow you to work directly with clients and make a positive impact on their lives. It will also help you develop essential skills such as client interaction, case management, and legal research.
- Work experience at a local firm or Citizens Advice Bureau: Gaining experience at a local firm or Citizens Advice Bureau will expose you to a range of legal issues and allow you to work with a diverse range of clients.
- External placements: You can also gain valuable experience by undertaking external placements in not-for-profit organisations, where you will provide free legal advice and representation to members of the public.
When applying for work experience, it is important to demonstrate your passion for family law and your commitment to helping others. Employers will be looking for individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills who can remain professional and detached while empathising with clients.
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Personal characteristics
Family law solicitors require a unique set of personal characteristics to excel in their field. The nature of family law, which often involves dealing with children and adults in distressing situations, necessitates specific soft skills and a suitable temperament.
Firstly, strong people skills and communication skills are essential. Family law solicitors must be good listeners, able to empathise with their clients and demonstrate compassion for their circumstances. Tact and patience are also valuable traits, as family law solicitors need to remain calm and professional when dealing with emotional clients or challenging situations.
Additionally, family law solicitors should possess a sharp legal mind and strong analytical skills, allowing them to research, analyse and negotiate effectively. They need to be able to detach themselves from their clients' personal issues while still providing support and guidance. This includes maintaining professionalism and objectivity, even in difficult cases such as abuse cases.
Resilience, confidence, and a positive attitude are also key characteristics. Family law solicitors must be able to handle stressful and emotive situations without becoming overwhelmed. They should also be hardworking and dedicated to their work, as family law cases can be complex and demanding.
Overall, a successful family law solicitor will demonstrate a combination of strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and a practical, analytical mindset. They will be able to build trust with their clients, provide effective legal guidance, and remain resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
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Family law specialisations
Family law is made up of three main areas: matrimonial, finance, and child law. Lawyers often choose to specialise in either matrimonial or child law, while some maintain a mixed client base.
Matrimonial Law
Matrimonial law specialisations include:
- Divorce and relationship breakdown
- Financial disputes relating to marriage, civil partnership, divorce, provision for children, and division of personal and business assets
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Civil partnerships
- International family law
Child Law
Child law specialisations include:
- Issues concerning children, including parental disputes, grandparents' legal rights, step-parent adoption, surrogacy law, and child abduction
- Children's rights, taking into consideration a child's ability to make their own decisions
- Domestic obligations towards families under international treaties such as the ECHR
- Local authority care orders and private disputes concerning children
- Child maintenance orders
- Child abuse and neglect
Finance
Finance specialisations include:
- Financial settlements following divorce
- Managing estates, properties, and assets
- Inheritance law, retirement, pension, and other benefits
Other Family Law Specialisations
Other family law specialisations include:
- Domestic violence cases
- Civil partnership dissolution
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Reproductive rights
- Emancipation
- Guardianship
- International family law
- Arbitration
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Career prospects
Family law is a challenging and stimulating field that can be incredibly rewarding. As a family law solicitor, you will be personally involved with clients and will be able to provide legal guidance to those facing very difficult and distressing times.
A career in family law will require you to work with both adults and children, so you must be prepared for client-facing work. You will need to demonstrate certain soft skills, such as people skills, communication skills, social skills, professionalism, objectivity, a strong work ethic, patience, resilience, and confidence.
The average salary for a family lawyer in the UK is around £40,000 per year, but this can vary depending on location and the firm. Salaries for newly-qualified lawyers can range from £26,000 to £55,000, with London City firms paying the highest salaries on average.
As a family law solicitor, you will need to have a thorough understanding of family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, civil partnerships, surrogacy, child abduction, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, financial disputes, domestic violence, and more.
To become a family law solicitor, you will need to obtain an undergraduate degree, choose your area of specialisation (solicitor or barrister), and gain practical experience through a training contract or qualifying work experience. You will also need to pass the relevant professional qualifications, such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC).
With the right education, training, and a passion for helping people, a career in family law can be a rewarding and fulfilling choice.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to take either the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The SQE requires an undergraduate degree in any subject, two years of full-time qualifying work experience, and passing both stages of the Solicitors Qualifications Examinations. The LPC is a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) postgraduate course.
No, you can take the SQE route with an undergraduate degree in any subject. However, you will need to complete further professional qualifications and practical training.
You will need two years of full-time qualifying work experience. This can be gained with up to four different employers and can include paralegal experience, time spent advising in a student law clinic, or volunteering at a law centre or Citizens Advice Bureau.
In addition to strong legal knowledge, family law solicitors need excellent people skills and communication skills. They should also have social skills like tact, empathy, and compassion, as well as professionalism and objectivity to detach themselves from distressing situations.
Family law solicitors help clients with legal issues relating to family and relationships, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence. They provide legal advice, guide clients through legal procedures, and represent them in court if needed.
