Description

Solicitors advise and act on behalf of individuals, organisations, businesses and government departments in legal matters.

Tasks

• Draws up contracts, leases, wills and other legal documents undertakes legal business on behalf of client in areas of business law, criminal law, probate, conveyancing and litigation, and acts as trustee or executor if required instructs counsel in higher and lower courts and pleads cases in lower courts as appropriate scrutinises statements, reports and legal documents relevant to the case being undertaken and prepares papers for court represents clients in court

Entry Requirements

Entry to training usually requires a qualifying law degree or postgraduate diploma. Apprenticeships are also available. Graduates in subjects other than law must first take a one year conversion course. All entrants undertake a one year legal practice course, followed by a two-year training contract. From 2021 Solicitors also need to pass the Solicitor's Qualifying Examination.