Help going into law as a non-law graduate

I’m going into my final year of my non law degree. I want to become a solicitor and the amount of options alone are overwhelming. My issue is i’m from Jersey channel islands which has its own funding system (not SFE).

It seems with the new SQE route, it is recommended to do a conversion course. This is not funded and I cannot afford this. I come from a low income background and am the first to go to university in my family.

It seems I don’t need to do a conversion to do the SQE but i don’t know if this is the right path.

I understand there are post graduate solicitors apprenticeships and training contracts but i don’t know if I would be able to secure these without a law background.

I’m trying to gain as much work experience as I can before I graduate but I really need advice on how to go into law and financing it.

I’m unsure if conversion courses would even be funded by SFE and if I qualify for this funding if i’m from the channel islands.

Please can anyone help.

Hiya,
Firstly, you do not need to do a conversion course to qualify as a solicitor, but it is common for people to do an SQE prep course. Often these are completed as part of a training contract/graduate apprenticeship (I'm a grad apprentice solicitor myself at the moment), and you don't need to have completed a law degree to be accepted on those, however I am aware that these firms will require you to do a conversion course - and some of these firms will fund this too, meaning you won't have to pay a penny to qualify. Do explore your options!

Have you looked into training as a Jersey Advocate via the Jersey Institute of Law or are you intent on working in the UK or elsewhere?
I know of a classy law firm in Jersey which has a commitment to social mobility and the firm sometimes hires paralegals and supports them to train as lawyers. PM me for details if interested.

I’m really hoping to train and work in the UK but i guess it really depends on if I can secure something or not

As you may know, in Jersey you can do the local work or you can get into the offshore trust stuff, which is where the big spondools are. If you pass the Jersey Bar, you could later convert to practise as a solicitor or barrister in in the UK, although of course that is usually done the other way around.

Yes, if anything I would rather do UK then if I return to the island when much older I could convert. Just really would rather avoid staying here much longer. I was born and grew up here and after being at university I really just do not want to have to come back :/

Hi,

Thanks for replying! any advice for getting onto a solicitor graduate apprenticeship and TC? also if you don’t mind where are you doing your apprenticeship?