The process to become a trainee solicitor is quite different from other professions where you can immediately join any job after getting your degree. Here it is mandatory for the law students to undertake training for 2 years under the supervision when they are termed as trainee solicitor. The trainee solicitors are paid an agreed amount and this position has a set minimum salary. As with other jobs, this is a competitive position and only students in the final year can apply for the position of trainee solicitor.
You can obtain the requisite academic qualification for becoming the solicitor by clearing a common professional exam, getting law degree or studying for a Graduate Diploma in the Law. Its immaterial what route you finally take, but youd have to finally complete a LPC (Legal Practice Course) to become a solicitor. This course is a sort of bridge between the pure academic studies and actual legal practice where there is more emphasis on practical procedures and issues.
Most of the trainee solicitors successfully become the practicing solicitors at the same place where they are being trained, therefore, location and kind of practice should be carefully considered while looking for the training contract.
The Law Society sets the guidelines that are to be followed by the trainee solicitors undergoing the training programme. They are usually assigned to a senior solicitor, partner or training principal, who also keeps the detailed record of the experience being gained by the trainee solicitor.
The initial three months of the trainee solicitor are usually spent in research and many other back office chores, when they have minimum contact with clients. As they gain experience, they are expected to handle the workload independently, where supervisors just review their work and discuss about the strategy to be followed with the clients.
Though training principal is responsible for maintaining the detailed records of the trainee solicitor that are finally used for their acceptance on the roll, many trainees also keep their own separate dairy for keeping records. Aside from being a crucial record for disputes, this diary is an essential appendix to their CV when searching for work in the other practices.
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