Considering a career in law in Scotland?

When the Law Society of Scotland spoke to a group of young people and students about the legal profession we were surprised to find one of the biggest hurdles facing them was the fact influential people in their lives (teachers, careers advisers and family) had suggested a career in law might be too difficult for them.

There is no doubt law is competitive, both in training and in practice, but we were surprised and disappointed to find this was raised as one of the single biggest barriers, especially as this advice may not be correct. For example, people who had made the effort to continue in the legal profession gave generally positive feedback about their time studying. In addition, a number of role models in the profession show that people with a range of disabilities do enjoy successful careers.

So, if you are at school and considering your university options, or considering a change of career, we’d encourage you to do your own research and make your own decisions about whether law could be for you. The Society can assist by providing impartial and confidential careers advice, and can discuss any concerns you may have around access to education and training or the type of ‘reasonable adjustments’ you may require.

How do you train to be a solicitor?
The route to qualification as a solicitor is undergoing significant changes, which will come into force in 2011. In late 2006, the Society began a lengthy consulation period focusing on the routes into the profession. This included specific consultation with a range of people with disabilities, and equality impact assessments of proposed changes. If you have not started to study
yet, or if you are currently on the route to qualification – particularly if you are currently a law student – then it is highly likely your next stage of the route to qualification will change as a result of the revised policies. In addition, there will be changes to the current CPD requirements, which is relevant to all solicitors in Scotland holding a practising certificate.

What are the changes going to be?
Currently, in order to become a solicitor in Scotland, the usual route to qualification is the LLB, followed by the Diploma in Legal Practice and finally a two-year traineeship.

In academic session 2011/12, the present LLB will be replaced by a new Foundation Programme, which will be offered at the same level as the LLB but with some changes to the programme itself, including changes to the professional subjects.

The Diploma in Legal Practice will become professional education and training stage 1 (PEAT 1) and from 1 September 2011 the traineeship will become professional education and training stage 2 (PEAT 2). As part of this, the professional competence course (PCC) will no longer be required from August 2011 and instead will be replaced by trainee continuing professional development (TCPD), although the PCC can be deemed as TCPD until September 2013. The post-graduate vocational element (PEAT 1) is the
stage of legal education where knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are learnt in a simulated environment. This will also be known as the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.

The work-based element (PEAT 2) is the stage of legal education where the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are built on and honed. Two major changes in this area are the introduction of outcomes which apply across both PEAT 1 and PEAT 2, in professionalism, professional ethics and standards”, and “professional communication”. The two stages have never been linked
in this way before and the link will provide real clarity across the two. The introduction of electives comprising half the course will change the face of the Diploma, as it offers choices to students.

There will also be changes to CPD requirements for all solicitors. The new framework, which will come into force on 1 November 2011, retains the existing requirement of a minimum of 20 hours each year. To support solicitors in their CPD activities the Society will introduce basic templates, which will be capable of being completed online, to assist with identifying training needs, recording CPD undertaken and evaluating the outcome of the training. In addition, from 2011 a wider range of activities will be acceptable
as CPD. These will include activities such as structured and formalised one- to-one training, coaching, and online training, rather than the present narrow definition of group study.

Over the coming months, the Society will be releasing regular information updates to the profession about developments to keep you informed of progress and any action required. www.lawscot.org.uk/members/legal-reform-and-policy/education–training-policy

Lots more information, including other careers to pursue with a law degree and on other jobs in the sector, such as becoming a paralegal, can be found on www.lawscot.org.uk and www.lawscotjobs.co.uk/traineeships

For further information contact: heathermcphee@lawscot.org.uk