Trainee solicitor
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
, Australia
, Hong Kong
and certain other English common law jurisdiction
s, a trainee solicitor is a prospective lawyer
undergoing professional training at a law firm
to qualify as a full-fledged solicitor
. This period of training is known as a training contract
and usually lasts for two years.
The barrister
's equivalent would be twelve months' pupillage
under a pupilmaster, in barristers' chambers
.
), and then completed the Legal Practice Course
(LPC).
On successful completion of the training contract, the trainee will qualify and be admitted as a solicitor.
Trainee solicitors and training contracts were formerly known as articled clerk
s and articles of clerkship, respectively.
examinations, before undertaking a one year Diploma in Legal Practice
. This qualifies the graduate for a Training Certificate. On receipt of the training certificate, the graduate will begin a two year legal traineeship with a law firm in Scotland. During this two year period, the trainee must attend a Professional Competency Course, where core subjects and electives will be assessed.
On successful completion of the traineeship, the trainee will be eligible for a Practising Certificate.
, the route is generally identical to that in England and Wales (above), save with the substitution of the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
for the LPC.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and certain other English common law jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
s, a trainee solicitor is a prospective lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
undergoing professional training at a law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
to qualify as a full-fledged solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
. This period of training is known as a training contract
Training contract
A training contract is a compulsory period of practical training in a law firm for law graduates before they can qualify as a solicitor in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia or Hong Kong...
and usually lasts for two years.
The barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
's equivalent would be twelve months' pupillage
Pupillage
A pupillage, in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, is the barrister's equivalent of the training contract that a solicitor undertakes...
under a pupilmaster, in barristers' chambers
Chambers (law)
A judge's chambers, often just called his or her chambers, is the office of a judge.Chambers may also refer to the type of courtroom where motions related to matter of procedure are heard.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :...
.
England and Wales
Before they are eligible to train, the trainee must first have an undergraduate degree in law, or another degree and later taken a conversion course (i.e. the Common Professional ExaminationCommon Professional Examination
The Common Professional Examination is a postgraduate law course in England and Wales that is taken by non-law graduates wishing to become either a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales...
), and then completed the Legal Practice Course
Legal Practice Course
The Legal Practice Course also known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practiceis the vocational stage for becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. The course is the successor to Law Society Finals and is more vocational in its syllabus. The LPC can be taken in many different formats including...
(LPC).
On successful completion of the training contract, the trainee will qualify and be admitted as a solicitor.
Trainee solicitors and training contracts were formerly known as articled clerk
Articled clerk
An articled clerk, also known as an articling student, is an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries. Generally the term arises in the accountancy profession and in the legal profession. The articled clerk signs a contract, known as "articles of clerkship", committing to a...
s and articles of clerkship, respectively.
Scotland
In Scotland the system is similar to that in England and Wales. In order to become a trainee solicitor, the student must complete a undergraduate degree in law, or complete the Law Society of ScotlandLaw Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland is the professional governing body for Scottish solicitors.It promotes excellence among solicitors through representation, support and regulation of its members. It also promotes the interests of the public in relation to the profession...
examinations, before undertaking a one year Diploma in Legal Practice
Diploma in Legal Practice
The Diploma in Legal Practice is a Scottish postgraduate qualification required in order to practise law in Scotland, as either a solicitor or an advocate...
. This qualifies the graduate for a Training Certificate. On receipt of the training certificate, the graduate will begin a two year legal traineeship with a law firm in Scotland. During this two year period, the trainee must attend a Professional Competency Course, where core subjects and electives will be assessed.
On successful completion of the traineeship, the trainee will be eligible for a Practising Certificate.
Hong Kong
In Hong KongLegal system of Hong Kong
The law of Hong Kong is based on the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The constitutional framework for the legal system is provided by the Hong Kong Basic Law. Under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, the legal framework of Hong Kong is based on the English common law,...
, the route is generally identical to that in England and Wales (above), save with the substitution of the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
PCLL redirects here. For the lacrosse league in the northeastern United States, see Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League.The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws is an intensive one-year full-time professional legal qualification programme in Hong Kong...
for the LPC.