Pathway to Law

History degree ( 3 years )
Law Conversion GDL ( 1 Year )
Then two years training as a barrister or lawyer

Would this then enable me to train as a lawyer??

Reply 1

Crazy Jamie

Careers Forum Helper

You're slightly confused. There is no 'lawyer' position in the UK. You are either a solicitor or a barrister. It's a split profession, so whilst both professions practise law and are therefore 'lawyers', you have to be one or the other.

You're right about the History degree followed by the GDL. You then either do the LPC if you want to become a solicitor, or you do the BPTC if you want to become a barrister. Both courses last one year and are more practical courses. You would then be looking to secure either a training contract if you want to be a solicitor, or a pupillage if you want to be a barrister. Training contracts last two years, and pupillages last one year. After completing that stage you will then become either a fully qualified solicitor, or a 'tenant', which is essentially just the name for a barrister that has completed pupillage and who now has a permanent place in Chambers.