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Original poster

Thinking of converting my degree to law and training to be a lawyer

14 replies

FeelingLucky · 26/09/2008 10:46

Have been thinking about this for a while now, and probably won't take the plunge until we've had another DC.
My current occupation isn't very family friendly (irregular hours, etc.) and I'm thinking of another occupation.

Just wondered if anyone knows how this is done, how long does it take (both conversion and training), and can it be done part-time. Also, I'm assuming the legal profession allows more family friendly hours, or am I being deluded.

A friend's ex-girlfriend converted her degree to law and trained to be a lawyer but ended up in lots of debt. Is this the norm?

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
(BTW - I have a 2:1 in an arts degree)

OP posts:
ForeverOptimistic · 26/09/2008 10:52

Have a look at www.rollonfriday.com

I believe that you would have to do a conversion course which is expensive. It can be done part time over 2 years I think.

From what I understand from other people, Law is one of the most unfamily professions there is! I guess it depends on what area you specialise in and what type of firm you work for. A local law firm is likely to give you a better work life balance than a top city firm.

What are you doing at the moment?

Bluestocking · 26/09/2008 10:53

Start here for info about law conversion courses.

Simplysally · 26/09/2008 10:59

You would need to do the GPDL (graduate diploma in Law) which can be done over one or two years then the LPC which can equally be done over one or two years to satisfy the academic requirements. You will then need to get a training contract with an approved firm which is two years full-time work (generally) or the equivalent part time over a longer period of time. It can be very expensive but if you want to do it then don't be deterred by cost. It is possible to get sponsored and there are other awards available.

Look on the Law Society website for more info

MuffinMclay · 26/09/2008 15:39

I did this but before I had the dcs (think I was about 29 at the time). Takes 2 years (plus 2 years training contract at a legal firm). Longer if p/t.

Unless you get a training contract with one of the big city firms (which I guess you won't want to if you're after family friendly hours) it is very expensive indeed.

Dh did it too (when he was about 25, I guess) and, despite a training contract and me working, we still had massive debts at the end.

Don't let the expense put you off, if it is the right thing. It was a huge mistake for me to do it (heart wasn't in it at all, I just thought I should have a proper career), and I regret the money we wasted on it, but I didn't think it though properly.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 26/09/2008 16:24

I retrained as a lawyer at the age of 30. It was pre children and I was lucky enough to have a pay off from previous job (ex forces), was supported by DH and had no children. I also had a training contract so firm paid for course and gave me a bit of money too. so I was lucky and financially it was not difficult for me.

however I think the children side of things complicates it massively. Once you start the training contract you will be expected at an average firm to work prob 8.30 - 6pm. 5 days a week. People may know otherwise, but I don't imagine anyone is going to offer you a part time training contract. I worked pretty hard then and for the year after qualification. Then I took time out for children. I have recently gone back to work to an in-house position (which is fab. My hours are 8am - 5pm and I wouldn't seriously consider private practice again due to the hours. I had lunch with property lawyer friend today - she hasn't been home beofre 9pm this week and it was 2am on Tuesday. Next week she is away overnight on sunday and Monday and then straight back to office on Tuesday.

If your priorities are as stated, I think you'd be delude (your word) to change to the law.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 26/09/2008 16:25

oops deluded...can't even copy! Great lawyer me!!!

glitterball · 27/09/2008 14:45

as a lawyer, I can only echo whats been said above. I did all my training many years ago when it was much cheaper than it is now. the cost can be high (fees for the LPC which you need to do to be a solicitor are about £8,000plus) and its not a family friendly job, tbh. you would need to be fairly established ie several years at a firm to be able to do part time, & even then a lot of firms particularly small ones arent that willing.

if you want another career how about teaching? you can - if memory serves - do that course part time, & it is a much more family friendly career

zookeeper · 28/09/2008 11:30

I do family law which is women dominated and ime child riendly hours are possible but it's surprisingly poorly paid. In addition, because of legal aid changes it's increasingly hard for family lawyers to find work.

I'm seriously considering going in to teaching

mumoverseas · 28/09/2008 11:55

me too zookeeper! I've been a family lawyer for 10 years but on maternity leave/sabatical/more maternity leave for nearly 3 years. I've kept up with my CPD but looking at the current situations vacant back home (currently living in Middle East) I can't see how I can afford to go back to family law. My DS (15 years) wants to be a lawyer and I'm trying hard to steer him away from family and to where the money is! (remind me, where is that now!)What bugs me is that I spent YEARS and THOUSANDS qualifying but my DH who is wonderful and very clever but has no degree or professional qualifications earns so much more than I can working in HR!

Hulababy · 28/09/2008 12:03

The costs:

  1. How much does the CPE/GDL (conversion course) cost and is funding available?

The latest figures show courses costing £1,225 - £5,900. If you have been offered a place as a trainee solicitor with one of the larger firms then they will usually pay this along with an amount for your maintenance. Smaller firms do not offer this financial support. The Law Society has some bursaries available (see www.lawsociety.org) but many students self-fund through career development loans, family help etc. For intending barristers, scholarships are available from the four Inns of Court on a competitive basis, but again many students self-fund.

  1. How much does the LPC (training to be a solicitor) cost and is funding available?

The latest figures show courses costing £2,372 ? £9,300. If you have been offered a place as a trainee solicitor with one of the larger employers then they will usually pay this along with an amount for your maintenance. Smaller firms do not offer this financial support. The Law Society has some bursaries available (see www.lawsociety.org) and a small number of legal aid firms offer training support but many students self-fund through career development loans, family help etc.

  1. How much does the BVC (training to be a barrister) cost and is funding available?

The latest figures show courses costing £5,800 - £11, 495. Some scholarships are available via competitive application from the four Inns of Court. Note that scholarship application deadlines are around November, i.e. before the BVC Online deadline. Otherwise self-funding options include career development loans.

(Info from Nottingham Uni, April 08)

Also bear in mind that you will need to then gain either a training contract (solicitor) r a pupilage (barrister) both of which are, at present, in very high demand, At DH's firm (which is not London where they have even more demand) they have tens and tens more applications for training contracts tan they can give placements to. There are many people who do the courses and cannot get a training contract. It is also most likely that when starting out, and during a training contract) that you would need to work full time hours.

However, if you can afford it and are determined, itt can be a great career. DH is a solicitor and loves his job.

Hulababy · 28/09/2008 12:06

As for family friendly hours - I don't really see that in DH's firm. They do have some part time staff, or some that start a bit later/finish a bit earlier - but TBH they are very unlikely to get the promotions from what I se. May not be right, but it does seem to be what happens. Not just in DH's firm either - but in all the firms our friends are in too.

zookeeper · 28/09/2008 12:10

mumoverseas, know exactly how you feel - the public percepton of us as fat cats doesn't help - I learn less than most of my friends who are in jobs that are perceived as being more poorly paid - my two sisters who are nurses earn more than me and have pensions.

I do love the job but the money is crap by any standards, never mind taking into account the stress and responsibility involved.

zookeeper · 28/09/2008 12:12

sorry to hijack thread Feelinglucky!

Original poster
FeelingLucky · 29/09/2008 09:50

that's okay zookeeper.

thanks for posting everyone. I'm glad I started this thread as it's given me a better idea of what to expect and has confirmed that I am probably a bit deluded to think life will be easier if I became a lawyer.

So, have knocked this idea on the head.
Had thought about teaching, but deep down I know I don;t have the patience for it ... really admire those who do.

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