Realistic Chances of Solicitor or Barrister - Legal Journey.
Hi everyone,
I hope you are well.
I am just posting as I am currently studying for my GDL, in addition to being a full time caregiver for a family member. In the past, I have worked within paralegal positions, shadowed Judges, presented evidence in Court, chaired panels and been an advocate in different settings. I have also interviewed clients in a variety of different legal settings.
I have just received a rejection from a scholarship for SQE funding, and haven’t started to apply for Training Contracts yet.
I am just seeking perspectives of which path is more attainable; given that I am also a full time caregiver at the moment. I am worried that I am ‘behind’ compared to the rest of my friends / society and it is making me a little anxious!
I will be using this ‘blog’ to document my legal journey.
Any advice that you can offer would be / is very appreciated!
Thank you!
~.SunsetSkyline.
I hope you are well.
I am just posting as I am currently studying for my GDL, in addition to being a full time caregiver for a family member. In the past, I have worked within paralegal positions, shadowed Judges, presented evidence in Court, chaired panels and been an advocate in different settings. I have also interviewed clients in a variety of different legal settings.
I have just received a rejection from a scholarship for SQE funding, and haven’t started to apply for Training Contracts yet.
I am just seeking perspectives of which path is more attainable; given that I am also a full time caregiver at the moment. I am worried that I am ‘behind’ compared to the rest of my friends / society and it is making me a little anxious!
I will be using this ‘blog’ to document my legal journey.
Any advice that you can offer would be / is very appreciated!
Thank you!
~.SunsetSkyline.
Reply 1
Can you kindly le us know your qualifications to date. Would you prefer to be a barrister or a solicitor?
Reply 2
11
Hi Stiffy!
Of course. Well, that’s the thing! I have a stammer / stutter but when I did informal moots / debates I loved it! Not too sure if I would feel the same way advocating in front of an entire courtroom, though! When I used to give evidence the nerves became apparent but then subdued… but then again, that’s just my own self doubt!
A Solicitor Advocate looks appealing because I (think) that’s a ‘bit of both’… but obviously I’m aware of how competitive being a Barrister is in comparison!
Legal Qualifications to date:
GDL (Pending)
CILEX Paralegal Level Three
Legal Experience to date:
Marshalled Judges (informally) in a variety of courts.
Observed in litigation court, family court, magistrates court, criminal court, housing and tax fraud, immigration and property / planning!
Worked as a paralegal in common areas of law (Think Family, Pro Bono etc!)
Won various prizes for my legal research! (Although this was some time ago; we’re talking when I was in college!)
What else 🤔…
Worked at Citizens Advice.
Worked for a local authority in a legal area.
Worked for the government in a legal area.
I think that’s it! As you can see, I have (okay - ish?) experience but not a lot of academics!
What with me being a full time carer at the moment, as you would imagine, my focus is more on getting through the day!😂
Other experience:
I have a social work degree! So; that’s always useful! (I love advocating for individuals!)
Advocating for communities and most recently a family member… so lots of legal things there relating to being a carer!
Advising individuals on the correct path for them! (SQE, Scholarships etc) - This was all done in an informal capacity through my university.
Student Rep!
Childrens Story Mentor.
Subway! (I hated the green apron, haha. The hat was nice!)
Stimulated Patient Actor.
I went into our local district and met the Mayor as part of various schemes.
Ambassador for a local group within the local government at the time!
I think that’s everything!😅
I hope that answers your question! Any advice based on the above (or anything else that you would like to know!) - just ask!😊
~SunsetSkyline.
Of course. Well, that’s the thing! I have a stammer / stutter but when I did informal moots / debates I loved it! Not too sure if I would feel the same way advocating in front of an entire courtroom, though! When I used to give evidence the nerves became apparent but then subdued… but then again, that’s just my own self doubt!
A Solicitor Advocate looks appealing because I (think) that’s a ‘bit of both’… but obviously I’m aware of how competitive being a Barrister is in comparison!
Legal Qualifications to date:
GDL (Pending)
CILEX Paralegal Level Three
Legal Experience to date:
Marshalled Judges (informally) in a variety of courts.
Observed in litigation court, family court, magistrates court, criminal court, housing and tax fraud, immigration and property / planning!
Worked as a paralegal in common areas of law (Think Family, Pro Bono etc!)
Won various prizes for my legal research! (Although this was some time ago; we’re talking when I was in college!)
What else 🤔…
Worked at Citizens Advice.
Worked for a local authority in a legal area.
Worked for the government in a legal area.
I think that’s it! As you can see, I have (okay - ish?) experience but not a lot of academics!
What with me being a full time carer at the moment, as you would imagine, my focus is more on getting through the day!😂
Other experience:
I have a social work degree! So; that’s always useful! (I love advocating for individuals!)
Advocating for communities and most recently a family member… so lots of legal things there relating to being a carer!
Advising individuals on the correct path for them! (SQE, Scholarships etc) - This was all done in an informal capacity through my university.
Student Rep!
Childrens Story Mentor.
Subway! (I hated the green apron, haha. The hat was nice!)
Stimulated Patient Actor.
I went into our local district and met the Mayor as part of various schemes.
Ambassador for a local group within the local government at the time!
I think that’s everything!😅
I hope that answers your question! Any advice based on the above (or anything else that you would like to know!) - just ask!😊
~SunsetSkyline.
Reply 3
Did you obtain a first or a 2.1 in your degree? Your experience would probably make you a good candidate for firms which deal with matters such as family disputes, social work related matters, Court of Protection work and so on.
In London, firms such as Bindmans, Hodge, Jones and Allen, and others active in their types of practice might be suitable places to seek training.
A speech impediment might respond to training/therapy, and might diminish as your confidence grows. Nerves are normal, but can be managed through experience.
Not as many solicitors have qualified or are active as Solicitor Advocates as you might expect, and it's worth checking with any law firm in which you are interested what opportunities they provide for advocacy, especially in the High Court and above, and not limited to small directions hearings and the like.
Smaller firms tend to be more receptive to having Solicitor Advocates as part of the team. The economics of large law firms appear to discourage advocacy, although one or two of the very large commercial firms do get involved in advocacy. For the present, the independent Bar appears likely to continue. The big law firms have had the ability to extinguish/absorb the independent Bar since the early 1990s, but have chosen not to do so.
Starting as a solicitor and transferring to the Bar after a few years is an increasingly common route.
I notice that 4-5 Gray's Inn Square has just advertised some mini pupillages, so maybe throw your hat in that ring.
Good luck!
In London, firms such as Bindmans, Hodge, Jones and Allen, and others active in their types of practice might be suitable places to seek training.
A speech impediment might respond to training/therapy, and might diminish as your confidence grows. Nerves are normal, but can be managed through experience.
Not as many solicitors have qualified or are active as Solicitor Advocates as you might expect, and it's worth checking with any law firm in which you are interested what opportunities they provide for advocacy, especially in the High Court and above, and not limited to small directions hearings and the like.
Smaller firms tend to be more receptive to having Solicitor Advocates as part of the team. The economics of large law firms appear to discourage advocacy, although one or two of the very large commercial firms do get involved in advocacy. For the present, the independent Bar appears likely to continue. The big law firms have had the ability to extinguish/absorb the independent Bar since the early 1990s, but have chosen not to do so.
Starting as a solicitor and transferring to the Bar after a few years is an increasingly common route.
I notice that 4-5 Gray's Inn Square has just advertised some mini pupillages, so maybe throw your hat in that ring.
Good luck!
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