Transition To Law: No Law Degree Required

There are several routes to becoming a lawyer in the UK without a law degree. The traditional route to becoming a lawyer involves completing an undergraduate law degree before undertaking professional training and work placements. However, it is possible to become a lawyer without a law degree by completing a law conversion course, such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Common Professional Examination (CPE), followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Alternatively, you can become a Chartered Legal Executive and take top-up courses, or complete a legal apprenticeship.

Complete a law conversion course

If you want to become a lawyer without a law degree in the UK, one option is to complete a law conversion course. This route is designed for non-law graduates or career changers who want to pursue a career in law. The two most widely recognised law conversion courses are the:

• Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
• Common Professional Examination (CPE)

The GDL and CPE condense the content of a three-year law degree into one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. A typical week of full-time study will involve approximately 45 hours of lectures, tutorials and self-study, culminating in a three-hour exam for each subject. The course covers seven core modules:

• Tort law
• Contract law
• Criminal law
• Land law
• Equity and trusts
• Constitutional law
• European Union law

Students can then choose an eighth module, which may be determined by the institution or chosen from a set list. This could include topics such as patent and intellectual property law, or research projects related to the area of law the student wants to study.

The cost of a GDL course varies across universities, ranging from £5,000 to £12,000 for one year of full-time study. Some institutions offer GDL scholarships to help reduce the cost.

After completing a GDL, graduates can progress to the Bar course for barristers or the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for solicitors. These courses bridge the gap between legal theory and professional practice. The LPC typically takes one year to complete full-time and covers areas such as how to conduct client meetings and draft contracts.

It's worth noting that the system for graduate entry into the legal profession is changing with the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE replaces the need for a conversion course before undertaking examinations. However, non-law graduates may still benefit from completing a conversion course or SQE-specific preparation course to gain the required legal knowledge for the SQE.

Complete the Bar course or Legal Practice Course

To become a lawyer in the UK without a law degree, you'll need to complete either the Bar course or the Legal Practice Course (LPC). These are professional vocational courses that will prepare you for a career as a barrister or solicitor, respectively.

The Bar course is an intensive, postgraduate programme that trains students to become barristers. It is renowned for being highly demanding and covers a wide range of skills and knowledge required to practise as a barrister, including advocacy, ethics, and conference skills. The course is typically completed within one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

On the other hand, the LPC is the route to becoming a solicitor. This course is also usually studied at the postgraduate level and covers key areas such as litigation, conveyancing, and commercial law. The LPC focuses on developing practical skills, ensuring graduates are work-ready and able to apply their legal knowledge in a real-world context. The LPC can be completed full-time in one year or part-time over two.

Both courses are available at various law schools and universities across the UK and have specific entry requirements that must be met. It is important to research the individual institutions to understand their specific entry criteria and application processes.

While it is possible to become a lawyer without an undergraduate law degree, it is worth noting that the path can be competitive and challenging. Gaining relevant work experience and demonstrating a strong commitment to the legal profession are crucial steps to enhancing your application and future career prospects.

Completing either of these courses is a significant step towards qualifying as a lawyer in the UK and will provide you with the necessary qualifications to pursue a training contract or pupillage, the final stages of becoming a qualified solicitor or barrister.

Gain qualifying work experience

To qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, you need to complete two years of qualifying work experience, which can be completed at any point during your qualification process. This work experience is similar to a training contract and can be paid or unpaid. It can include:

• A placement during a law degree
• Work in a law clinic
• Volunteering or working at a charitable organisation, such as Citizens Advice
• Working as a paralegal

Qualifying work experience can be completed with up to four different legal employers over two years or with a single law firm over the same period. To be counted as a step towards qualifying as a solicitor, your work experience needs to be signed off by the legal employer(s), who must be a solicitor or the compliance officer (COLP).

After completing your qualifying work experience, you can apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will need to pass the SRA's character and suitability requirements before the authority can admit you to the position of solicitor.

Admission as a solicitor requires two years of qualifying work experience, which can include a training contract.

Register with the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Registering with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the final step to becoming a qualified solicitor in the UK. The SRA is the regulatory body that maintains a register of all solicitors and law firms in the country.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted as a solicitor, you must meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements. These requirements ensure that you are fit to practise law and uphold the integrity of the legal profession.

Registration Process

The SRA will assess your application and may request additional information or an interview to clarify any concerns. Once your application is approved, you will be admitted to the roll of solicitors.

Maintaining Registration

As a registered solicitor, you must comply with the SRA's standards and regulations, including anti-money laundering and consumer protection guidelines. You can update your registration details through your mySRA account.

Benefits of Registration

Registration with the SRA brings several benefits, including:

• Recognition: The SRA register is the definitive source of information on solicitors and law firms, providing assurance to clients and the public.
• Support: The SRA offers guidance and resources to help solicitors maintain professional standards and navigate ethical and legal obligations.
• Protection: The SRA works to promote trust and confidence in legal services, protecting the interests of both professionals and their clients.

In summary, registering with the Solicitors Regulation Authority is a crucial step to becoming a qualified solicitor in the UK. This process involves meeting character and suitability requirements, after which you can benefit from the recognition, support, and protection offered by the SRA as a registered legal practitioner.

Become a Chartered Legal Executive

Chartered Legal Executives are qualified lawyers who specialise in a particular field of law, such as civil and criminal litigation, corporate law, or public law. They are trained to the same level as solicitors but focus on a single area of legal practice. Chartered Legal Executives can also qualify to represent clients in court or become judges.

To become a Chartered Legal Executive, you must complete the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives' (CILEx) training programme. There are two ways to qualify:

• CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ): This route consists of three stages—Foundation, Advanced, and Professional—with different entry points based on your prior experience. The CPQ Foundation stage is suitable for those with no legal training, while Law graduates can enter at the CPQ Advanced stage and may be exempt from some modules. The training combines work and study, allowing you to progress from the foundation level to the professional level to become qualified.
• Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship: This is a degree-level apprenticeship offered by an employer in partnership with a training organisation. It can take up to five years to complete and is aimed at those with no legal experience. However, individuals with a Law degree can also apply and may be exempt from some training. As an apprentice, you complete Level 3 and Level 6 CILEx professional qualifications during your training.

Regardless of the route chosen, there are specific requirements that must be met to become a Chartered Legal Executive:

• Complete the academic stage of training: This involves passing one of the following: CILEx CPQ, CILEx Graduate Qualification (CGQ), CILEx Level 3 and Level 6 Diplomas in Law and Practice, or the CILEx Graduate Fast-Track Diploma.
• Gain qualifying experience: You must have at least 2,300 hours of work experience that contributes to the provision of legal services. This experience must be completed under the supervision of an authorised person in private practice or within an organisation.
• Meet CILEX Regulation's (CRL) work-based learning outcomes: Demonstrate competence by completing a portfolio of log sheets and evidence that meets the defined competencies of a Chartered Legal Executive.
• Satisfy character and suitability requirements: As a qualified lawyer, you must declare additional information about convictions, and a standard DBS check may be required.

By completing the CILEx training programme and meeting the necessary requirements, you can become a Chartered Legal Executive and practise law with equivalence to a solicitor in your chosen area of specialisation.

Frequently asked questions