Trainee Solicitor Jobs

Solicitor jobs give advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal matters. The cases solicitors deal with depend on their employer and the area solicitors choose to work in. The main areas of work for solicitor jobs are company/business law, although many practice conveyancing, probate or litigation and some opt for central and local government. Solicitor jobs can also go into the Crown Prosecution Service.

Solicitor jobs normally work 37 hours a week, but most solicitor jobs find longer hours are common. Many solicitor jobs may be on call at weekends and bank holidays. They are generally based in offices but some solicitor jobs spend much of their time in court.

Solicitor jobs should be confident, with strong communication skills, able to absorb and analyse large amounts of information, careful and accurate in their work. Solicitor jobs should be able to work under pressure, be good with figures and all solicitors should have an interest in law and research.

Duties of a Trainee Solicitor

Legal and procedural knowledge.
Proof reading.
Attention to detail.
Communication skills.
Commercial acumen.
Advocacy and presentational skills.
Case and time management.
Drafting.
Practice support.
IT.
Marketing.

There are over 10,000 solicitors currently in Scotland.

In Scotland, entrants to become a solicitor normally need a LLB degree in Scottish law, or a good first degree in any non-law subject and a two-year graduate law degree.

Solicitor jobs undertake vocational training after graduation. This involves taking the Diploma of Legal Practice in Scotland. Courses for solicitors involve a training contract with a firm of solicitors.

With further training, solicitors may become advocates. Solicitor jobs may also become heads of legal departments in companies, chief executives or company secretaries.