routes in to law as a career change ?

Hammyman

Judas wrote: »

Tbh OP Law is a hard path; especially as a solicitor. What are your current qualifications? What is your age? What is your budget?

One of my brothers and his missus were both solicitors. They both packed it in and became teachers because their morals conflicted with what they were being asked to do (chasing debtors) and they just couldn't bring themselves to do it.

jasonwatkins

SarEl wrote: »

I made no such assumption.

Please accept my apologies if I came across as snippy. I've kind of circled around this topic for a few years, always trying to look for a possible route forward and many people have made the assumption that i'm just looking for a quick back-door route when i'm not, so I think I kind of jumped the gun a bit and engaged fingers before brain.

SarEl wrote: »

So if you want to do this - and I made it clear that if you wanted to try then you should - then you have to forget about working your way up. There isn't a route. Quick and easy, or hard and difficult. One way or another you will need to do some serious studying - and nobody is going to pay you for it because there are hundreds of people doing this studying without being paid for it (many of whom may never even get to practice law), so no employer needs to pay.

I appreciate it's a pretty daunting task from many angles - financial and workload.

I'm think going to pursue this GCSE course initially. I think it could be a good way of essentially peeking under the lid without spending huge amounts of money I can't really afford, and I think it would leave me better equipped to make a decision regarding trying for a 'real' qualification with the OU.

I do appreciate your advice and I apologise again if I came across as a bit off

Oldernotwiser

jasonwatkins wrote: »

i'll check out that eligibility guide - thanks.

i'm always wary of apply for money in any sense - i have a terrible credit rating as it is, so any kind of loan would more than likely be rejected.

i think i did manage to find an introductory course on the OU for around £115, which might just be do-able. there's also a local adult education centre a train ride away that's advertising a law GCSE starting in October. It would only cost me £40 quid, but it would have to be the part time day course - can't do evenings. Ringing them tomorrow to find out more though - that would be perfect if i could get on that.

Because OU study is part time you don't get loans for it but you can get grants if your household income is low.

jasonwatkins

Judas wrote: »

I think the OP needs to be realistic here.

With the greatest of respect, i'll ask you to re-read my posts in this thread.

Judas wrote: »

They would need a LLB degree; afterthat a post grad course to practice; followed by a 3 year training contract.

That is at least 10 years

I've already said ..

I know that even if I had unlimited funds available that i would be looking at at least 5-10 years.

Judas wrote: »

I doubt you have the intellect or resources to complete a law qualification and become a solicitor and even if you do companies arent likely to be interested.

I've already said what my resources are - twice. I make no bones about that and in the very first post I said ..

the lack of money will probably ultimately prove to be a bridge too far.

And i'll respectfully ignore the dig about my intellect because my intellect took me to a 13 year career in I.T. that was only cut short due to medical reasons.

WolfSong2000

It's not just intellect you need for law - you also need an amazingly good memory! I tried a criminal law module at uni, and my memory let me down. The professor said I understood everything perfectly, I just couldn't remember the ins-and-outs of all the cases, so that's something to bear in mind!

Judas

Yes but law isn't IT
Law expects a superior academic record throughout; you dont have this; you dont even have basic qualifications.

I have a degree; 5 highers; a professional qualification and experience of some legal work and you know what I wouldnt expect to have a chance in law.

The sad fact is you dont have the money to do it anyway.

jasonwatkins

Judas wrote: »

Yes but law isn't IT

Both require intellect in their own way. I still find your belittling of mine rather irritating but hey, more important things in life i guess.

Judas wrote: »

The sad fact is you dont have the money to do it anyway.

As I have already said. I'll leave it there with you. Please have the last word if you want to

grey_lady

As long as you don't already have a degree and are on a low income then the ou might well wave the fees. If you haven't studied at degree level or the law before then they do a small short introduction to law course which would give you a taste.

If you look on their website then there are interviews with a couple of people who have done the LLB with the OU and gone on to become a solicitor, so it is possible, but that degree is pretty tough.

jasonwatkins

grey_lady wrote: »

As long as you don't already have a degree and are on a low income then the ou might well wave the fees. If you haven't studied at degree level or the law before then they do a small short introduction to law course which would give you a taste.

If you look on their website then there are interviews with a couple of people who have done the LLB with the OU and gone on to become a solicitor, so it is possible, but that degree is pretty tough.

Thankyou for that. I've never done a degree before, and i receive incapacity benefit, so I guess I do qualify as low income.

I think this is why i'd like to try and secure this GCSE course. Apart from the fact it would get me out of the flat and into a bit of a routine (long story ), i just think as a practical introduction it could work out pretty well and give me a good feel for whether or not i'm cut out for it.

If I feel I am, i'd certainly jump in and try and arrange something with the OU.

Kate78

This was something I looked into as a possible career change.

I decided against it because of costs and the time it takes to qualify.

The absolute minimum time to qualify (if you did it full time) would be:

3 years law degree (1 year Common Professional Examination if you already have a degree in another subject)

1 year Legal Practice Course

2 years on a training contract with a firm of solicitors, while studying concurrently for your professional skills course. Bear in mind that it these are very competitive to get onto, you could have a gap between finishing your LPC and getting onto a training contract. Although you might be able to find work as a paralegal in this time.

The Law Society has more info.