Solicitors Training Flashcards
If someone has a degree in a subject other than law what can they do to become a solicitor?
they can do an extra years training in core legal subjects and take the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
What are the 2 qualifications someone can take in order to become a solicitor if they have not done a law degree?
Common professional Examination (CPE)
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
How long is the Legal Practice Course (LPC)?
either
- 1 year full term course
- 2 year part time course
What training skills are involved in the LPC?
(5)
BLINDA
- client-interviewing
- negotiation
- advocacy
- drafting documents
- legal research
- business management
After the LPC what must a student do before they are a qualified solicitor?
They must next obtain a training contract in a solicitors firm to work for two years getting practical experience
As well as a solicitors firm where else can the training period be undertaken? (2)
- Crown Prosecution Service
- Legal department of a local authority
Will the trainee be paid during their training contract?
Yes they will be paid but not the same rate as a fully qualified solicitor
During the training contract what else will the trainee need to do?
must complete a 20 day Professional Skills Course which builds on the skills of the LPC
What does the 20 day Professional Skills Course do?
this builds on the skills of the LPC
What will happen after the 2 year training period?
they will be admitted as a solicitor by the Law Society and their name will be added to the roll of solicitors
Even after qualifying what do solicitors have to continually do?
continually must attend education courses to keep their knowledge up to date
What must non-graduates do in order to quality as solicitors?
first must become a legal executive
Who is the non-graduate route open to ?
only mature candidates
What is the diagram for the normal solicitor route ?
Alevels or equivalent | Law degree | Legal Practice Course (LPC) (one year) | Two-Year training period | Qualified as a solicitor
What is the diagram route to becoming a solicitor after taking another degree subject
Alevels or equivalent | Degree in another subject | Common Professional Examination (CPE) (one year law course) | Legal Practise Course (LPC) (one year full time or 2 year part time) | Two year training period | Qualified as a solicitor
What is the diagram route to becoming a solicitor for a non-graduate
Institute of Legal Executives Professional Diploma | ILEX High Professional Diploma | Legal Practice Course (LPC) | Fellow of ILEX for 5 years or two-year training period | Qualified as a solicitor
What are the 3 criticisms of the training process?
- Financial problems
- Lack of legal knowledge
- Over-supply
What are the fees for the LPC?
£12,000
How much is the CPE/GLD which those who have a degree in another subject must take as well as the LPC?
£10,000
Why must fees be paid for the LPC and CPE/GLD?
as they are post-graduate courses
What is a result of paying fees to be solicitor such as the LPC?
students from poorer families may not be able to afford to take these courses and may be prevented from becoming solicitors even though they may have obtained a good law degree
Other than the fees of the LPC , CPE/GDL are being a disadvantage for students from poorer families, how else is this a criticism of the training process?
Many students may take out loans and start the training period with a large debt
How have financial problems been made worse?
due to the increasing fees charged by universities for the basic degree courses which is currently £9,000 since 2012
How does the CPE help would-be solicitors?
the CPE can be taken as a part time course over 2 years which allows students to work as well as taking the course
