Becoming a solicitor
A career as a solicitor can be rewarding and intellectually challenging.
There are many different areas of law you can specialise in, so the work can be varied.
Becoming a solicitor takes a lot of commitment. You must study and train for at least six years full time, and competition for training opportunities is high.
Try to find out as much as you can about what a career in the law is like by:
- talking to solicitors, for example at careers fairs
- applying for work experience
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
Differences between a solicitor and a barrister
A solicitor is different from a barrister.
Someone who is looking for legal advice will normally see a solicitor first. If the client needs more specialist advice, then the solicitor may instruct a barrister.
Solicitors and barristers both offer legal advice, and can also represent their clients in court, but barristers are more likely to do advocacy work, representing clients in the higher courts.
Learn more about how to become a barrister.
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.
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
Qualifying with a law degree
To be accepted onto a law degree, you’ll usually need:
- at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. These must include English, maths and sometimes a specific subject such as a foreign language
- a minimum of two A-levels. The most popular courses ask for three A-levels at grade A
Most universities won’t require you to have an A-level in law to do a law degree.
A few universities have specific subject requirements. You should research and compare courses to see what universities are looking for.
Find out more about qualifying with a law degree.
Qualifying without a law degree
There are routes to qualifying as a solicitor that do not involve a law degree.
You can qualify without a degree by completing a solicitor apprenticeship or getting a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
Learn more about qualifying without a degree.
There are also routes to qualify if you have a degree, but it’s not in law.
Learn more about qualifying with a non-law degree.
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.
Events for aspiring solicitors
Essential skills for practice – introduction to legal commercial awareness
Date: Tuesday 8 April 2025
This interactive online classroom including group exercises is aimed at newly qualified and aspiring city lawyers looking to enhance their legal commercial awareness.
This classroom will provide an introduction to legal commercial awareness and insight into what city and commercial law firms are looking for in candidates.
Resources
- Becoming a solicitor downloadable guide (PDF 473 KB)
- Becoming an in-house solicitor
- Becoming a solicitor as a disabled student
- Becoming a solicitor as a mature student or career changer
- Becoming a solicitor as a black, Asian and minority ethnic student
- Diversity Access Scheme – apply for funding to support you for either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
- Routes to qualification – podcast providing insight on the traditional training contract route, the CILEX route and the paralegal equivalent means route
- A first-class career with a 2.2 degree – advice for graduates with a 2.2 degree on how to stand out and have a great career in law
- The Lawyer Portal has free guides and events for people considering a legal career
- UCAS guidance on studying law