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The Law Society springs to mind.
Posted: 22:16 Feb 15 2004
A calling to the Bar
No, not *that* bar. 
Maybe I've just got a thing for silk and horsehair, but I'm looking into becoming a barrister after graduating. (No need to tremble just yet, I don't even start until October!) I've been searching round the Bar Council's and other legal type websites, and have the basics down (I need to do a year-long conversion course as I'm reading history not law at university, followed by a year long "pupilage" to qualify) but I'm looking for some first hand information. I know this isn't a career to take on lightly, either money wise of socially. Any of you wise T21 types know the best people to contact? The Bar Council seems obvious, but I don't want to start making phonecalls until I have some basic details sorted.
Any help much appereciated, and hopefully I'll see you in court.
(Edited by Byron 15/02/2004 22:05)
Maybe I've just got a thing for silk and horsehair, but I'm looking into becoming a barrister after graduating. (No need to tremble just yet, I don't even start until October!) I've been searching round the Bar Council's and other legal type websites, and have the basics down (I need to do a year-long conversion course as I'm reading history not law at university, followed by a year long "pupilage" to qualify) but I'm looking for some first hand information. I know this isn't a career to take on lightly, either money wise of socially. Any of you wise T21 types know the best people to contact? The Bar Council seems obvious, but I don't want to start making phonecalls until I have some basic details sorted.
Any help much appereciated, and hopefully I'll see you in court.
(Edited by Byron 15/02/2004 22:05)
6 Replies and 1018 Views in Total.
When you say "year long conversion course" do you mean the CPE (Common Professional Exam)? I'm not certain, but after the CPE don't you then have to do the Bar Vocational Course before pupillage? If so then that's another year to add on.
Try legaleducation.org.uk, they might have more details; alt I'd be inclined to speak directly to any lawyers you know - if you're still at uni speak to your college's law school.
Try legaleducation.org.uk, they might have more details; alt I'd be inclined to speak directly to any lawyers you know - if you're still at uni speak to your college's law school.
Posted: 00:25 Feb 16 2004 
Thanks Callum, that's a great site. 
You're absolutely right about needing two years before the pupillage, got that muddled up with the Bar Vocational Course. (Keep forgetting pupillage is *after* you're called to the Bar.
)
I'm not exactly well connected to the legal profession (I've never had much need for their services ), the one solicitor I know socially is a family law expert who told me solicitors take a completely different set of exams to barristers. I did look into being a solicitor, but don't think its really my thing. (Too many episodes of This Life may also have played their part!)
You're absolutely right about needing two years before the pupillage, got that muddled up with the Bar Vocational Course. (Keep forgetting pupillage is *after* you're called to the Bar.
) I'm not exactly well connected to the legal profession (I've never had much need for their services
), the one solicitor I know socially is a family law expert who told me solicitors take a completely different set of exams to barristers. I did look into being a solicitor, but don't think its really my thing. (Too many episodes of This Life may also have played their part!)
Posted: 00:47 Feb 16 2004
If you want to do it then you need to get it sorted now... I only thought about going along that route in my last year of Uni by which point it was rather to late to arrange anything woithout taking a two year break (I didn't wantto saty poor for that long ) I'm still kicking myself bout that one. Good luck to you
) I'm still kicking myself bout that one. Good luck to you
Posted: 09:16 Feb 16 2004 
Sydney's advise is very wise.
I have been recently considering doing the CPE to become a solicitor but after attending an open evening and reading about it all, I decided against it. Unfortunatley I have got rid of most of the info now but if you are definatley going to convert once you finish your degree I would send off for further info on routes and options to universities that do the courses now. Up here in the North East Northumbria Uni has a good reputation for it and are helpful in sending you stuff. That's where I would have done it.
I decided against it because of costs and time taken to do it on a part time basis, so get yourself sorted now!
Best of luck
Minty x
(Edited by Araminta 17/02/2004 13:54)
I have been recently considering doing the CPE to become a solicitor but after attending an open evening and reading about it all, I decided against it. Unfortunatley I have got rid of most of the info now but if you are definatley going to convert once you finish your degree I would send off for further info on routes and options to universities that do the courses now. Up here in the North East Northumbria Uni has a good reputation for it and are helpful in sending you stuff. That's where I would have done it.
I decided against it because of costs and time taken to do it on a part time basis, so get yourself sorted now!
Best of luck
Minty x
(Edited by Araminta 17/02/2004 13:54)
Posted: 13:54 Feb 17 2004
Thanks both, that's very helpful stuff, especially the name of a uni to contact. I wasn't sure *where* exactly you took the conversion course, so it's pretty darned useful to know that you do it at university. Looks like the Cambridge legal department will also be in for an earbashing: poor sods.
Minty: I looked into how much debt you look to stack up qualifying yourself, and the average estimate is 10 grand! I don't know if it's as bad for solicitors, but eeek *much*?
Disraeli said, "Debt is a prolific mother of folly and of crime." Talk about a two-for-one deal!
Minty: I looked into how much debt you look to stack up qualifying yourself, and the average estimate is 10 grand! I don't know if it's as bad for solicitors, but eeek *much*?
Disraeli said, "Debt is a prolific mother of folly and of crime." Talk about a two-for-one deal!
Posted: 15:44 Feb 17 2004