LaLa74 wrote on Jan 4
th, 2009 at 5:28pm:
Hey,
I'm sure you've worked out that the main route into becoming a Solicitor in Scotland is via University. Since you already have a degree you can choose the accelerated route, but bear in mind that the fees are steep - around £10,000 for the two year course. You will then have to complete the diploma in legal practice which costs another £5000 and places are limited. After this, you require to complete a two year traineeship. There are various areas which provide these other than law firms - local councils, you could work at the Crown office. Traineeships are also limited.
In relation to which university to attend, I went to Glasgow, apparently the support at Strathclyde is better but they were a tad snooty about my previous degree and weren't interested in having me there as a student. I'm now doing the diploma there and feeling rather spoon fed compared to my time at Glasgow, but I don't know whether the undergraduate degree would have been like that or it's just a diploma thing.
Earning capacity depends entirely on where you end up. A law career certainly isn't the meal ticket it apparently used to be but it can be very well remunerated.
It's extremely challenging, hard work and there are no guarantees that you will get the job you want.
However, don't let age put you off! I was 30 when I started. I'm halfway through my diploma at the moment and all being well, I'll start my traineeship in one of the large firms in September. I'm really glad I changed career (was nursing before) and most firms appreciate your life experience.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Hi
Many thanks for your reply. I undertook business at Uni, the main thing that appeals to me about law is the interest in the actual subject and also the fact that most of the work in law is team focused and involves working with people and not on my own as I have been doing.
May I ask though do you know of any useful websites for students such as ourselves that are doing law as a second degree, anything that provides advice and guidence on strenghtening applications, starting salary etc??
Thanks