What matters...Grades or Experience?

Ok, what if you're not applying to big firms?

Say you apply to high street firms then do they also look for high grades? Coz I know that there are a few which consider people with a 2:2. I'm assuming that they're looking for people with experience rather than just really good grades.

Law's becoming so competitive that even HS firms are looking for 2(1)s. That's not to say that it's impossible mind you, and if you have excellent experience + a 2(2), then you'll probably get further than you would if you were applying to large London/ regional firms.

I really think experience (and NOT JUST LEGAL EXPERIENCE) plays a greater role than you are suggesting especially for folks that come into law later in life.

Many practices specialize and I'd almost guarantee that a 2:2 from a bog standard uni plus 10 years experience as a Chartered Surveyor (prior to studying law) would make someone highly attractive to a firm specializing in something like construction dispute resolution/real estate/development.

It really helps to be double-barrelled in your qualifications. Law is law but IMHO it's very valuable to have expert knowledge in your field of specialization (IE actually know something about the industry/sector you serve) as a lawyer.