Keith Mack
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it can also open doors to many other career paths. The range of skills that a law degree provides, including research, evaluation, and communication, are sought after by many employers. Legal knowledge can be advantageous across many businesses and organisations, and law graduates can find themselves working in banking, finance, insurance, HR, marketing, politics, journalism, public relations, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career options | Solicitor, barrister, journalist, PR manager, tax consultant, building surveyor, facilities manager, investment banker, civil servant, police officer, politician, teacher, researcher, immigration officer, housing adviser, trading standards officer, welfare rights adviser, insurance broker, accountant, data scientist, town planner, regulatory consultant, computer scientist, legal tech specialist |
| Transferrable skills | Research, evaluation, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, persuasive reasoning, attention to detail, interviewing, investigation, public speaking, confidence |
| Legal employers | High street solicitors' practice, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), banks, insurance companies, HR departments of large firms, local government, advice centres |
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What You'll Learn
Legal profession: solicitor, barrister, or judge
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it's not the only path to becoming a legal professional. Many solicitors and barristers have degrees in other subjects, and there are also routes to becoming a legal professional without a degree.
Solicitor
Solicitors represent and defend clients' legal interests and provide advice. They work in a variety of legal practice areas, including criminal, family, probate, and business law. Most solicitors work at a law firm, but some work for organisations such as the government. To become a solicitor in England and Wales, you must complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It takes between three and six years to qualify by completing a solicitor apprenticeship.
Barrister
Barristers are legal professionals who specialise in one or more areas of law and have in-depth knowledge, skills, and expertise. Most barristers are self-employed and group together in offices known as 'chambers'. Some barristers are employed by organisations such as the government, banks, or the military. To become a barrister in England and Wales, you need to undertake a Bar course, followed by a one-year training period called a pupillage.
Judge
Judges are responsible for reading the paperwork relevant to a matter being brought before them, listening to those presenting or arguing the case, ensuring that the matter is conducted according to relevant court rules and regulations, advising on points of law, reaching decisions on the outcome of the matter, and passing sentence or imposing any other penalty or obligation on the parties involved. To apply for legally qualified judicial roles in the courts system, you would apply via the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). Judicial pay ranges from around £90,000 to £270,000 per year, depending on seniority.
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Compliance and regulation
Solicitor or Barrister
A law degree is a common pathway to becoming a solicitor or barrister, which are traditional legal careers. Solicitors provide legal advice and guidance to clients and may represent them outside the courtroom, depending on their specialisation. Barristers, on the other hand, typically provide legal advice and represent clients in various legal proceedings, such as hearings, trials, and appeals. While a law degree is a prerequisite, additional qualifications and training are usually required to become a fully qualified solicitor or barrister in the UK.
Compliance Roles in Legal Firms
With a law degree, you can explore compliance roles within legal firms. Compliance professionals ensure that organisations adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. They may work as compliance officers, analysts, or managers, ensuring that the firm's activities, processes, and employee conduct meet legal standards. This can include anti-money laundering measures, data protection, and industry-specific regulations.
Regulatory Bodies and Government Agencies
Your law degree can also be a stepping stone to working in regulatory bodies or government agencies responsible for developing and enforcing laws and regulations. These organisations play a crucial role in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and environmental protection. You can contribute to policy development, regulatory framework design, and compliance monitoring.
Compliance Roles in Other Industries
Law graduates are also well-suited for compliance roles in various other industries, including finance, insurance, and banking. These sectors have complex regulatory environments, and your legal knowledge will be invaluable in ensuring organisations comply with regulations, managing risk, and providing guidance on ethical practices.
Postgraduate Options
If you wish to specialise in compliance and regulation, you can consider pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) or a Master of Science (MSc) in Compliance and Regulation. These postgraduate degrees are offered by institutions such as Queen Mary University of London and the University of Law. They provide an in-depth understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance practices across industries, enhancing your career prospects in this field.
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Banking, finance, and insurance
A law degree is a great way to enter the world of investment banking, corporate finance, fund management, and insurance broking. Law graduates are highly sought after by investment banks due to their ability to analyse problems, pay attention to detail, and work under pressure. These skills are essential for various roles within investment banks, such as corporate finance, markets, fund management, and private client services.
One of the common career paths for law graduates is in investment banking and fund management. Law graduates can leverage their analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure in these roles. They can also utilise their legal knowledge to ensure that all activities are compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
In the world of finance, a law degree can be particularly advantageous. Law graduates can become tax consultants, offering advice to businesses or private clients on a contract basis. They can review finances, inform clients of their options, and ensure compliance with the ever-changing legal landscape.
Insurance broking is another viable option for law graduates. They can apply their legal knowledge to understand the intricacies of insurance policies and provide valuable advice to clients. Additionally, their negotiation and communication skills can be beneficial when dealing with insurance providers and claimants.
Outside of the traditional legal profession, law graduates can also find opportunities in banking and insurance companies. They can work in various roles within these organisations, such as compliance, risk management, or legal advisory services. Their legal knowledge and analytical skills can be highly valuable in these sectors, ensuring that the organisation's activities are legally compliant and well-informed.
Overall, a law degree provides a strong foundation for a career in banking, finance, and insurance. The transferable skills and legal knowledge gained during their studies can be applied in a variety of roles within these sectors, making law graduates highly desirable candidates.
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Human resources and recruitment
A law degree is a great starting point for a career in human resources and recruitment. The skills you gain from a law degree, such as research and evaluation skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and explain complex information, are highly valued in HR and recruitment roles.
HR departments of large firms are often listed as potential employers for law graduates. In HR roles, you'll be responsible for supporting and overseeing the people who make up an organisation. This includes tasks like recruitment, training, and development, as well as handling employee relations, compensation and benefits, and enforcing company policies.
In recruitment roles, you'll be tasked with finding and placing the best candidates for open positions within a company or organisation. This involves understanding the needs of the company, sourcing and screening potential candidates, conducting interviews, and facilitating the hiring process.
The analytical and research skills gained from a law degree are particularly useful in these fields, as you'll often be dealing with complex information and evaluating candidates or employees. Additionally, the ability to work under pressure and manage conflicts, which are skills often developed through a law degree, can be beneficial in HR and recruitment contexts.
Furthermore, a law degree can provide a strong foundation for understanding employment law and employee rights, which are essential aspects of HR and recruitment. This knowledge can help ensure that organisations comply with legal standards and regulations.
Overall, a law degree can offer a versatile skill set that is well-suited to a career in human resources and recruitment, providing a solid basis for success in these fields.
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Politics and civil service
A law degree is a great gateway to a career in politics and the civil service. The skills you gain from a law degree, such as research, evaluation, analytical and communication skills, are highly transferrable and desirable in the political and civil service sectors.
Politics
A law degree can be a great stepping stone to a career in politics. Many politicians have law degrees, and the analytical and critical thinking skills gained from a law degree can be invaluable when navigating the complex world of politics. Understanding how to interpret and explain complex information, as well as the ability to work under pressure, are all skills that can be gained from a law degree and are highly beneficial for a career in politics.
Civil Service
The civil service is another great option for law graduates. The civil service is a broad term for the administrative arm of the government, and it offers a wide range of career paths. Law graduates can bring valuable skills to the civil service, such as research and analytical skills, as well as a strong understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks. Civil service roles can include policy advising, regulatory consulting, and various graduate schemes in departments such as HMRC.
Overlap with Politics and Legal Profession
There is also a lot of overlap between politics, the civil service, and the legal profession. Many politicians and civil servants have legal backgrounds, and a law degree can provide a strong foundation for a career in these fields. The ability to understand and interpret laws and regulations is valuable in all three sectors, and the transferrable skills gained from a law degree can be easily applied to a variety of roles.
Alternative Paths
In addition to traditional political and civil service routes, a law degree can also open doors to alternative careers in the public sector. For example, roles such as welfare rights advisers, immigration officers, and housing advisers often require strong legal knowledge and an understanding of social welfare policies. These roles may be attractive to those who want to make a direct impact on people's lives and ensure that laws and policies are implemented fairly and justly.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional career path for someone with a UK law degree is to become a solicitor or a barrister. To become a solicitor, you must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). To become a barrister, you must undertake a Bar course followed by a one-year training period called a pupillage.
A UK law degree can lead to a wide range of career paths outside of the legal profession, including:
- Building surveyor
- Facilities management
- Investment banking and finance
- Insurance broking
- Accountancy
- Tax advisory work
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Civil service
- Town planning
- Teaching
A UK law degree provides a range of transferrable skills that are valuable across many sectors, including:
- Research skills
- Evaluation skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
