Law Apprenticeships

Can you get into law with an apprenticeship?

Absolutely! Law apprenticeships are for school leavers who want to become solicitors, paralegals or chartered legal executives without going to university and studying for a full-time degree. You can jump into a law apprenticeship as early as 16 years old after your GCSEs or when you’re 18 after your A-Levels.

If you want to become a barrister, however, you’ll still need a law degree. You’ll also need to do the bar course and complete your pupillage. 

Heading towards the university route? Read our guide to law internships to learn how to secure work experience before graduation.

How do law apprenticeships work?

Law apprenticeships combine hands-on experience with academic study. You’ll split your time between a real workplace and studying towards nationally recognised qualifications at law school.

Your schedule will typically follow either:

• Four days a week at work. And one day out of the office to attend class

• Three or four consecutive weeks at work. And a week-long block release to attend college.

The best part? You'll gain valuable experience while earning a salary like any other full-time employee.

Plus, if you choose a law degree apprenticeship, you won't pay a penny for any tuition. Your employer and the government cover all those costs!

What do you do in a law apprenticeship?

As a law apprentice, you’ll get stuck into real tasks from day one. You’ll work alongside experienced solicitors and legal practitioners while building the essential skills employers love.

Your typical responsibilities could include:

• Drafting legal documents and letters

• Researching case law and legislation

• Prepping case files and organising evidence

• Attending client meetings

• Using specialised legal software and database systems.

As you gain more experience and confidence, you’ll take on more challenging tasks such as advising clients on legal matters, interviewing witnesses and shadowing on a real-time case.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you could qualify as a trained solicitor with years of hands-on experience already under your belt.

What are the three types of law apprenticeships?

There are three main apprenticeships you can choose from:

• Paralegal Apprenticeship (Level 3 - Advanced)

• Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship (Level 4/5 - Higher)

• Solicitor Apprenticeship (Level 6/7 - Degree)

Your starting point depends on where you are academically. Just beginning? Start as a paralegal and progress from there. Let’s break them down:

Paralegal Apprenticeships

• DURATION: Two years

• ENTRY REQ: 

  • Two to five GCSEs at grades 9 - 4 (A*- C) - ideally in maths and english

  • Two A Levels (grades 9-4/A*-C) in relevant subjects like English, history or law

• QUALIFICATIONS:

  • CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Providing Legal Services

  • CILEx Level 3 Certificate in Legal Practice.

As a paralegal apprentice, you’ll work in a fast-paced legal team and support solicitors by:

• Reviewing documents

• Managing data

• Contacting clients

• Creating case files

• Performing legal research.

Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeships

• DURATION: Up to five years

• ENTRY REQ: 

  • Four GCSEs at grades 9 - 4 (A*- C) - including english language or literature and maths

  • Two A-Levels at grades 9 - 4 (A*- C) - in relevant subjects, such as english, history or law

  • Existing apprentice qualifications - for example an advanced apprenticeship

• QUALIFICATIONS:

  • CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice

  • CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice.

As a chartered legal executive apprentice, you’ll broaden your legal knowledge and develop the skills you learned as a paralegal apprentice. You’ll also learn how to:

• Provide legal services to a wide range of clients

• Negotiate on behalf of clients

• Represent clients at formal and informal events.

Solicitor Apprenticeships

You’ll spend up to six years working towards a law degree, combining hands-on experience with law school studies. These are also known as law degree apprenticeships. Want to know more? We’ve got a complete guide just for you.

You could also find yourself working with one of the Magic Circle law firms. These are A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. These firms offer some of the most highly-paid newly-qualified lawyer salaries in the country, ranging between £120,000 and £150,000.

Want to know what it’s like to be a law apprentice? Get into our student-written apprenticeship reviews.

How much do apprentice lawyers get paid?

As a law apprentice, you’ll get paid for:

• Your normal working hours

• Any training that’s part of your apprenticeship

• Extra courses you’ll have to take, for example, maths and english.

On average, as a law apprentice, you could earn:

Many employers will also offer perks like study leave, mentoring programmes and other benefits. It’s always worth checking directly with employers to find out what they offer. 

This is just the beginning of your earning potential, too. The more experience and time you put into your career, the bigger the paycheque becomes.

As a newly qualified lawyer, you could earn:

How do I apply for a law apprenticeship?

Once you’ve picked your company, research it thoroughly and tailor your application to the specific role.

You’ll need to put together a strong CV and cover letter that’ll highlight your soft skills and enthusiasm for law.

Don’t worry if you don’t have legal experience yet, employers are looking to teach you. Including your hobbies, school projects, and even volunteer work in your application. These are great ways of showing off your potential.

Each company will have its own application process. If you’re successful, you’ll be invited for an interview. Depending on the organisation, you might have to attend an assessment centre and take psychometric tests. These will determine if you’re the right candidate for the role.

Ready to apply? We love that for you!

We host lots of legal apprenticeships right here on our website. Click below to start your search, or scroll down to see our current featured roles.