Requirements

Solicitor - requirements

Solicitors give advice on the law and act in legal matters on behalf of individuals, organisations and government departments. Learn more about what it’s like to be a solicitor, how your career could progress and what you need to do to qualify.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a solicitor?

There are different ways to qualify as a solicitor. It usually takes six years if you study law full time.

To get this job through a university route you need an undergraduate degree. This can be in any subject, but studying law will definitely help. Possible subjects include:

Following your degree, you must pass parts one and two of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (in England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland have different requirements), complete two years of work experience and meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a solicitor?

You don’t need a postgraduate qualification to become a solicitor, but you could study law at master's level if your undergraduate degree is unrelated.

A postgraduate degree might also include part one of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

What skills do you need to be a solicitor?

You’ll need to show dedication and commitment to a career in law, as well as excellent interpersonal skills for working with a range of clients.

Hard skills usually include:

Business development
Commercial awareness
Dispute resolution
Finance
Legal knowledge
Research and analysis

Soft skills include:

Advising
Communication
Interpersonal
Management
Negotiation
Resilience

Do you need work experience to be a solicitor?

Solicitor roles are competitive, so work experience can really help you to stand out when applying for courses and jobs. It’s a good idea to get experience in different types of legal settings to show your commitment and understanding of the industry.

To qualify, you’ll need to complete two years of full-time work experience. This can be paid or voluntary and could be on placement as part of your law degree. The experience can be at up to four organisations, for example at a law firm, charity or as a paralegal.