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How do graduates get a job as a solicitor in Scotland?

Everything you need to know about traineeships with Scottish law firms and training organisations. Whether you want to know how much you could expect to earn, or what areas you could work in, you can find answers to key questions here.

CAREER SECTOR JARGON: advocate; areas of practice; commercial litigation; diploma in legal practice; solicitor; traineeship. 

What is the process of qualifying as a lawyer in Scotland?

Whatever subject you’re studying at university, a career in law is open to you. The route to qualification is under review but currently students will need to complete:

Once qualified, you can call yourself a solicitor and can work for a solicitors’ firm or for a range of organisations. Some solicitors also opt to leave the solicitors’ profession and qualify as a Scottish advocate.

Changes to the qualification process

Since late 2006, the Law Society of Scotland has been consulting on routes into the profession and is now in the implementation phase. The revised route to qualification will commence in September 2011. The new route to qualification as a solicitor in Scotland will take the form of the Foundation Stage (currently the LLB), Professional Education and Training Stage 1 (currently the diploma), Professional Education and Training Stage 2 (currently the traineeship) and continuing professional development.

As the changes come into effect in time for the next academic session, current students are likely to embark on the revised route to qualification in the future. The Society urges all law students in Scotland to stay abreast of developments by logging on to its website, and visiting the education and training section, where detailed information will be posted. The development officer (education and training) will also liaise closely with you as implementation of the new route to qualification progresses.

How do I apply for a training contract with a Scottish law firm?

The selection process for training contracts usually starts with an online application form, with CV and covering letter attached. Smaller firms will use the traditional CV and covering letter method. It’s essential to make a good first impression, so do your research and tailor your application to the firm. If the recruiters are impressed, you will be invited for an interview. The structure of interviews varies from firm to firm but you’re likely to be quizzed on why you want to join the firm and your motivations to become a solicitor. A lot of interview questions tend to be generated from information included on a CV or application form, so be sure to read through these the night before. Some of the larger firms use assessment centres: if you’re invited to one of these you can expect to partake in case studies, a written exercise, presentations and even psychometric testing. You may also be given a tour of the office, which is your chance to see whether the firm would suit you.

When should I apply for a Scottish legal traineeship?

Ideally, you need to start applying for training contracts with Scottish law firms up to two years before you’re ready to start your training contract. Based on this, applications for training contracts should be made early on in the final year of your degree (closing dates are firm-specific but most run from October through to January).So, give yourself a head-start by beginning your research early and give yourself a chance to practise filling in application forms and online aptitude tests.

What skills do I need to work as a solicitor in Scotland?

Communication skills are key if you want to be a solicitor, so you need to write clearly and speak succinctly without ambiguity. Building strong client and colleague relationships is important so you need excellent interpersonal skills. You will frequently work as part of a team, particularly at a large firm, so you need excellent teamworking skills. Other key skills include attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, initiative, common sense, good judgment, a flexible approach to matters and a flair for negotiating.

Relevant experience can be useful, so get some work experience in a Scottish law firm. If you’re interested in commercial law, you’ll need business and commercial awareness, and an interest in how businesses work, as you’ll need to understand the issues that influence clients in order to provide suitable advice. If you’re thinking about practising with a smaller firm you’ll need strong multitasking skills, as you’ll be working across different practice areas and juggling multiple workloads and sound people skills.

What skills do I need to work as an advocate in Scotland?

One very distinct feature of life as an advocate, and a large part of its appeal, is the advocacy. Advocates need to be comfortable speaking in front of large numbers of people in a clear, impassioned and articulate manner. They also need to be able to inspire those around them, think on their feet and respond quickly to challenges. It’s not a career for the shy or faint hearted!

Becoming an advocate in Scotland

What are trainee starting salaries like in Scottish law firms?

Starting salaries vary considerably, according to location and the type of firm. The Law Society of Scotland sets a recommended starting salary (£15,965 in the first year and £19,107 in the second), which is reviewed annually. This is reviewed annually. Some organisations offer more or less than the recommended rate. In seeking a newly qualified position you will be in rather a better bargaining position than you were as a trainee, although salaries still will vary. A salary in Scotland of between £25,000 and £35,000 is likely.

Many firms offer excellent benefits when you become a trainee, such as gym membership, private healthcare, life assurance and pension schemes. There may be opportunities for bonuses. As you progress your earnings will increase.

What is working life like in Scottish law firms?

Lawyers have a reputation for working all hours, frequently spending weekends at the office and regularly pulling all-nighters. While this is true on occasions for some branches of the profession, there are others that are practically nine-to-five jobs. Where possible, most firms encourage staff to leave on time. If you value time off, aim for one of the quieter practice areas. Solicitors working in large commercial firms should expect to work longer hours, whereas at a regional firm you’ll generally have a better work/life balance.

What are the different areas of work practised by law firms in Scotland?

Solicitors can work across a number of practice areas or opt to specialise in one particular field, depending on the size, location and type of firm. Some of the main practice areas include: 

  • Agricultural law: advising on matters relating to agricultural land, boundaries, traditional rights of way, development proposals and such like.
  • Banking and finance law: managing transactions for financial organisations such as banks and stock exchanges.
  • Capital markets law: advising investment banks on legal aspects of transactions.
  • Commercial and corporate law: assisting in commercial arrangements between businesses.
  • Construction law: advising clients on the practice and procedures of buildings and structures.
  • Conveyancing: dealing with the transfer of properties between parties and all that encompasses.
  • Corporate finance law: equity markets (representing companies or banks on the stock market); mergers and acquisitions; acting in public takeover work.
  • Criminal law: prosecuting suspected criminals or acting on behalf of defendants.
  • Crofting law: advising on issues relating to crofting tenancies.
  • Dispute resolution: resolving disagreements through litigation, arbitration and mediation.
  • Employment law: resolving problems between employers and employees.
  • Energy, transport and infrastructure law: advising on transactions between governments, industry regulators, banks and multinational developers.
  • Environmental and planning law: representing companies or regulators on regulatory and compliance issues, transactions, litigation, etc.
  • Estate agency/property law: assisting people or organisations to buy and sell property, advising landlords and tenants, and working on corporate real estate transactions.
  • EU and competition law: ensuring that companies compete on a level playing field both nationally and internationally.
  • Family law: dealing with personal matters such as divorce and child-related issues.
  • Human rights law: protecting the rights of individuals.
  • Insolvency law: acting on behalf of interested parties when businesses and corporations are in financial distress.
  • Insurance and reinsurance law: acting for insurers who underwrite risks; minimising possible losses by placing some of the risk with another insurer.
  • Intellectual property law: helping clients to protect their ideas.
  • IT and communications law: negotiating contracts, working on transactions and advising on regulatory and business issues.
  • Life sciences law: advising scientific and pharmaceutical groups on issues including intellectual property rights, regulatory regimes and litigation.
  • Media law: providing litigation assistance or commercial and regulatory advice to clients in the media business.
  • Oil and gas law: a mixture of different areas of law applied to a specific industry. Oil and gas specialists are likely to be based in Aberdeen.
  • Personal injury law: assisting people who have suffered injury to obtain compensation.
  • Private client law: advising individuals on a wide range of issues, from drafting wills to controlling family businesses.
  • Private equity law: helping private equity fund managers to invest in, buy and sell companies.
  • Securitisation law: assisting companies to raise money through investment.
  • Shipping law: advising shipping industry clients and resolving claims and disputes.
  • Sports law: dealing with the regulatory and commercial sides of sport.
  • Tax law: advising corporate or private clients on the tax implications of proposed actions.

Further help and research

Qualifying as a lawyer in England and Wales

Prefer to work south of the border?

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