Becoming a solicitor

What solicitors do

Solicitors represent and defend clients’ legal interests, and provide advice in many situations, for example:

• giving expert advice on everyday issues. For example, buying and selling homes and dealing with relationship breakdowns
• helping businesses with commercial transactions
• protecting individuals’ rights, making sure they’re treated fairly by public or private bodies
• providing free help (pro bono) in certain circumstances. For example, for people who are unable to pay for legal services

A solicitor’s work can be divided into:

• contentious legal work – resolving disputes between two or more parties, usually in a court or tribunal
• non-contentious legal work – dealing with the legal aspects of a client’s business or personal matter, for example managing a company merger, or making a will

A solicitor’s duties include:

• researching cases and legislation
• drafting letters, contracts, wills and other legal documents
• liaising with clients and other professionals such as barristers
• representing clients in court or at tribunals

How much solicitors earn

The amount you could earn will depend on a number of factors.

These include your practice area, stage of your career and location.

Learn more about solicitor salaries

Organisations solicitors work in

Solicitors can work in:

• law firms (private practice)
• central or local government
• legal departments within organisations (in-house)
• the Crown Prosecution Service
• law centres

Learn more about career options for solicitors.

Qualifications

How long it takes to qualify

It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time.

It takes between three and six years to qualify by completing a solicitor apprenticeship.

Most aspiring solicitors will take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduced the SQE in 2021. It replaced the previous Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Some aspiring solicitors can still qualify by taking the LPC until 31 December 2032. To take this route you’ll need to meet the SRA’s transitional requirements.

If you do not meet the transitional requirements, you will take the SQE to qualify.

Skills

As well as the right qualifications, you’ll need to be determined and motivated to succeed as a solicitor.

A legal career demands:

• intellectual ability – the law is complex
• flexibility – no two days are the same
• commitment – training requires significant effort and resource
• strong oral and written communication skills

A strong academic background is important, but employers also look for personal skills and attributes. For example:

• dedication
• a capacity for hard work
• personal integrity and an ethical approach
• commercial awareness
• being able to communicate with people at all levels and win their respect

Character and suitability checks

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) assesses the character and suitability of anyone applying to be admitted to the roll of solicitors.

You should consider whether there are any issues in your personal history that could mean that you will not meet the SRA’s Assessment of Character and Suitability Rules.

If you do not meet the SRA’s requirements you will not be admitted as a solicitor. Reasons for failing to meet the requirements may include cautions or criminal convictions.

The assessment is usually done before you are admitted as a solicitor. You can ask for an early assessment if you think there's a risk that you will not qualify for admission.

You will need to complete the screening process before submitting your application.

If you would like some free confidential advice before contacting the SRA, you can speak to the Solicitors' Assistance Scheme.

For more information see the SRA’s Student Information Pack.