Post graduate in Law(conversion) or a professional course

[Selok]

Hi all,

Looking for some ideas here really.
Considering few options to excel myself this year:

1. studying a post graduate degree in law (conversion for a non-law graduates)
2. A professional course like chartered institute of procurement and contract management
3. Any other related pist grad degree like Medical ethics and law or some sort

Background- I am working for a consultancy company serving drug development so if I had a legal related degree I could move on to become in-house counsel ( I have been working as contracts manager for some time now). I don't have scientific background I am in the commercial side of the business

Btw I am 50 this year, no not a fresh graduate as such

Thanks

Would you not have to qualify fully as a solicitor for an in-house counsel role? Conversions seem to be focused on qualification rather than being an academic degree, so it might be worth considering doing the SQE exams and getting your work experience signed off by a solicitor to qualify as one yourself, rather than focusing on the conversion course aspect.

Would you not have to qualify fully as a solicitor for an in-house counsel role?

My first thought too.

What would be your goal with options 2 or 3? Is this just for your own satisfaction or are you hoping to use them to progress professionally?

Would your employer not expect you to be fully a qualified solicitor as in-house counsel?

Doing the conversion does not mean you're a qualified solicitor. Sorry if you know this already and I'm teaching you to suck eggs... I find sometimes ppl get confused about this.

To qualify you'd have to do the SQE and complete 2 years qualifying work experience (you may have the latter).

The SQE has pretty low pass rates. Have a look at the SRA website for more information. It's gruelling.

Great if you want to do all that work but you're looking a few years before you'd be newly qualified. Are you thinking of doing the conversion part time or would you give up your current role?

It might be worth gaining some experience so you're sure you want to do this...

In-house counsel is normally a barrister, I think. At least, the one I know is. But as others say, the law conversion course in itself isn’t enough to qualify.

Thanks for all comments, much appreciated.
This is where I was getting confused so if you get the conversion of the degree sorted so I would still need to study further to get properly qualified!!
I would really to like both for my personal satisfaction and also to get rid of the feeling of getting stuck where I am

Maybe I should do a professional course , will investigate more

Hi Selok,
I believe the law conversion courses are being phased out and those wishing to qualify as solicitors need to study for the SQE. So with your degree, you would still need to study and pass the SQE1 and SQE2 and also gain approximately 2 years of qualifying work experience in order to qualify.