AIBU to quit my job and retrain as a solicitor?

[Moobieboobie]

Should I not? I hate my job (civil service) although fairly well paid and have always hankered after joining the legal profession. But, I am almost 40 and have three children would I even have a chance at getting a training contract? I can self fund the GDL and LPC, but would need to have a training contract in place once the qualifications are completed. Am I totally unrealistic as I will be competing with lots of young'uns!?

Jilly, please can you explain how you manage to practise as an independent lawyer, without holding client money, as I am thinking of doing something similar.

OP - it is tough to get a TC whatever your circumstances but if you do then there is a middle ground. I work in healthcare for a top 20 practice. I'm not a partner but am senior so in control of my own diary, my pay last year was (full time equivalent) more than 80K and I am based in a northern city. I work 3 days a week from 8am to 4pm and have flexibility too. Think long and hard but it's not necessarily the City or minimum wage work...

Airona I know you asked Jilly rather than me but it depends on your area of law. I don't hold client money because I'm an employment lawyer. I have no need to hold client money, ever. The only time it gets difficult is if I need to instruct Counsel but I rarely instruct Counsel and when I do I just get the client to make a direct instruction. If you're doing something like property or corporate then clearly it would be very difficult. This then impacts on your insurance and the level of admin/regulation.

This thread has really helped me. I did the LPC in 1995. Didn't manage to get a training contract and ended up working for a charity as a trainer in a field that was related to law. Got made redundant a while ago, struggling to find a new direction and felt wistful that I'd never become a solicitor. However reading this thread, I'm really glad I didn't as I've had a pretty fulfilling career ( just need to find a new direction now!)

Thanks Atticus, that's helpful.