What is the salary of a lawyer in the UK?

Lawyers are notoriously high earners, with some earning well over £100,000 per year! But what can you be expecting to earn as a trainee solicitor in the UK?

Magic circle law firms

While applying for vacation schemes and training contracts you will hear or see the phrase "magic circle law firm" mentioned a lot. A magic circle law firm is simply one that is considered to be a leading law firm or commercial barristers' chambers in the United Kingdom.

These firms are usually regarded as prestigious and as 'magic circle' law firms:

~ Allen & Overy

~ Clifford Chance

~ Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

~ Linklaters

~ Slaughter and May

What jobs can you do with a law degree?

You may think that with a law degree you are destined to become a solicitor or even a barrister but this isn't necessarily true. Many of those who have a law degree go on to join the police force, army or even teach. 

A degree usually means that you are of a certain academic standard, and no matter what subject your degree is in, with the right training and experience you can go into almost any career.

Law qualifications

Law is a huge subject, so it is no wonder that there are many achievable qualifications within it. 

Via llmstudy

The law library

The law library, you and it will soon become best friends. It holds everything from the quick revision and study guides to the heavy, old cases to the thick textbooks. 

Via montgomery county

Law entry requirements for A-levels and degree

Law is a fascinating subject to study, both at university and as an A-level. Good grades are a must, as at times, law can be complicated. However, the good news is that most law degrees don't require you to have knowledge or qualifications in certain subjects before beginning the course although some such as critical skills may give you an edge over other applicants. 

Via law.marquette

Tricky Law interview questions: how to answer them

Its almost expected that the interviewer will ask you at least one 'trick' question. A successful interview can make or break your law career and practice makes perfect, so being prepared for these questions can help get you that training contract, pupilage or even job! 

Law conversion course (GDL)

Taking the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) law conversion course is an easy way to turn your non-law degree into a full law degree. It is also known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE). The GDL is a course that can be taken at almost any university in the country, a quick google will help you to find your nearest institution. 

Best Law resources

Like any degree, Law is not an easy subject. But luckily there are many resources, mostly available online, to help you with your law degree. Here's a quick list of the most useful:

The crunch (04/06/2014)

A round up of the best law and criminology related stories scouted daily.

Sell your old law textbooks

Have you ever thought of selling your old law textbooks online? Of course you have, every law blog is advertising ways for you to sell your old textbooks for cash.

As a fresher I remember scouring amazon for hours looking for the cheapest versions of the textbooks on the reading list, debating whether the reduction in price justified getting a older version, which obviously it didn't. So would I sell them on now? No.

Even if I did get the books with quite a heavy discount by buying online, I've grown attached to them. I've spent hours with my nose buried deep within these books- how will I know I won't need them again? Maybe I'll feel different in my final year, when they're gathering dust but still only worth a pittance compared to what I bought them for.

If you are thinking of selling your old law textbooks, there are some recommended sites which you should take a look at. We compared the price you'd get for a barely used Constitutional and Administrative Law textbook by Hilaire Barnett (10th edition) which was bought new online from amazon from around £30 only a year ago:

• Amazon £12.25 gift card (or you can set your own price auction like ebay)
• We buy books £7.80
• Abe Books £7.20

Which is a shocking decrease in value! I think the just-in-case value is worth more than that!

Lawyer Love

If the chat up lines didn't work for you and left you feeling a bit lonely, then this should cheer you up! 

And here's the transcript of the email ... Subject: Offer of love! Dearest Ms Heartbroken, 1. That I am very happy to inform you that I have fallen in Love with you since the 7th of August (Wednesday). 2. That with reference to the meeting held between us on the 11th of Aug. at 15:00hrs, I would like to present myself as a prospective lover. 3. That our love affair would be on probation for a period of three months and depending on compatibility, would be made permanent. 4. That needless to say and of course, upon completion of probation, I propose that there will be a continuous 'on the job training' and performance appraisal schemes leading up to promotion from lover to spouse. 5. That I propose that the expenses incurred for coffee and entertainment would initially be shared equally between us. 6. That I further propose that later, based on our mutual performance, I might take up a larger share of the expenses. 7. That however I am broad-minded enough to be taken care of, on your expense account. 8. That I humbly request you to kindly respond within 30 days of receiving this letter, failing which, this offer would be cancelled without further notice and I shall be considering someone else. 9. That I wish to add here that I would be happy, if you could forward this letter to your sister, if you do not wish to take up this offer. Wish you all the best! Thanking you in anticipation. Please reply if you desire so... Yours sincerely, Mr Lonely N.B this was not an actual email and the joke is taken from Santa Banta

More of the most cheesiest lawyer pickup lines (Part 2)

Yesterday we gave you 10 of the most cheesiest lawyer pickup lines, and we enjoyed it so much that today we've managed to find 8 more!  Well done to those brave enough to give them a go yesterday, but lets see how brave you are today as these are considerably more rude!

1. I'd have to plead insanity if I ever left you
2. When I think of you, I become fully vested
3. I've got a precedent that's long and deep
4. Is your estate subject to open?
5. I don't know if I have standing, but I'd love to court you
6. How about coming back to my place for a little actus reus?
7. When I bring an ejectment actiom, there'll be nothing quiet about your enjoyment
8. Let me show you my mens rea

Found via Pickup lines galore. Again, if you were brave enough to try these, let us know how it worked out for you in the comments!

If loving you is a crime, then I'm looking at a life sentence! (The 10 worst lawyer pickup lines)

As a future lawyer, working all hours can leave very little time for romance. But what's the point in studying for a impressive sounding degree if you can't use it to your advantage? We've found 10 of the worst, most cheesiest law-related pickup lines which are just begging you to give them a try. So while you're on taking a break from revision, why not try out a few of them out?!

1. There is no burden of proof for how fine you are
2. I think I'd be liable for negligence, if I neglected to come over and talk to you
3. Your body is ultra-vires, its beyond my power to control myself around you
4. I love you beyond a reasonable doubt
5. I'll teach you about jurisdiction, if we change the venue to my place
6. Why don't you take a look at my briefs?
7. If loving you is a crime, then I'm looking at a life sentence
8. Res ipsa loquitur, honey, your hot body speaks for itself!
9. I believe its in our best interest to comply with Section 69 of the Act
10. Excuse me, are you into reverse bifurcation?

If you liked these, watch out for part 2 tomorrow. Via Pick up lines galore. Let us know how it worked out in the comments below. 

The crunch (06/05/2014)

A round up of the best law and criminology related stories scouted daily.

Max Clifford has been jailed for eight years for sex assaults (via 

BBC News)


Mental health patients are being forced to travel miles for care (via 

BBC News)


here's 9 revision tips from people who have nailed law exams 

(via Legal Cheek)

The Crunch (05/05/2014)

A round up of the best law and criminology related stories scouted daily. 

Police and crime commissioner scheme on probation, MP's say (via BBC News)

Boy, 16, arrested after fatal stabbing in Brixton (via BBC News)

'Skull cracker' Michael Weatley absconds from open prison (via BBC News)

Mediation- some frequently asked questions (via Practical law)

Judge faces jail [pdf] (via Financial Times)

Consumers won't pay Barristers predicts Slater & Gordon chief (via Legal Futures)

Solicitor numbers fall for the first time in 20 years (via Legal Futures)

Your views on... The legal Aid row

Today Debbie shares with us her views on the Legal Aid row...

Upon reading the news story a few days ago that Legal Aid was the cause of a serious fraud being halted it really brought it home that the changes are affecting our legal system immediately. I completely understand the fact that legal systems are expensive and money is a finite resource and any way we can find to make them less expensive is a bonus but is it really worth it if those people who need cheaper or free access to legal advice are being forced out of the system? I noticed you retweeted a quote the other day from Derek Bok the President of Harvard in 1983 that said "there is far too much law for those who can afford it, and far too little for those who cannot" this indicates to me that this is not a new problem, so why are we just starting to struggle with the effects of this now?

Thanks Debbie for a great post, if you'd like to get If you'd like to take part please email us with 'Your views segment' in the subject header and a short summary about the topic or news story you'd like to write about. Providing that topic has not already been covered we will then reply with further details. 

The Crunch (04/05/2014)

A roundup of the most interesting law and criminology related news stories scouted daily.

Teen charged over break in murder (via BBC News)

Kaplan law school to discontinue its bar professional training course (via Legal Cheek)

Law society urges vigilance-as cyber attack costs soar (via The Law Society)

Red lorry, yellow lorry....just what colour will your lamborghini be? (via Wedlake Bell)

The crunch (02/05/2014)

A round up of the most interesting law and criminology related stories scouted daily.

• Police do not record a fifth of crime (via BBC News)
• Legal aid row leads to halting of serious fraud trial (via BBC News) 
• You can read the judgement pdf here
• Police powers of stop and search: summary of consultation responses and conclusions 
• You can see the pdf here 
• And read the proposal speech here
• First victims spared harrowing court room under pre-recorded evidence pilot (via Gov.uk)
• World Dementia Council meet for the first time (via Gov.uk)

Your views on... The Oscar Pistorius trial

Today, Jade shares with us her views on the controversial Oscar Pistorius trial. 

"'Who dunnit?' That's usually the phrase on everyone's lips, but this time its 'did he?' or 'didn't he?'. The case of Oscar Pistorius, the man who shot his girlfriend on Valentines Day. The prosecution is arguing it was motivated and he planned to kill girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp with texts sent by Steenkamp telling Pistorius she was scared of him. While I have heard (but not many others have) that she climbed through a bathroom window in order to surprise her boyfriend on valentines day. Pistorius is supposedly going to be convicted of other offences with a gun, so perhaps silently creeping into a house may make you appear like an intruder. Although now the news is now reporting that he supposedly broke down the toilet door where Steenkamp was hiding with a bat, which isn't really in-keeping with his story. One thing I am not sure I agree with, is that only one judge (as the trial is taking place in South Africa) will make the life-changing decision on the fate of Pistorius and all it comes down too is how strong the evidence is and how good they are at legal reasoning. Personally, I genuinely think it was an accident and that he thought she was an intruder."

If you'd like to take part please email us with 'Your views segment' in the subject header and a short summary about the topic or news story you'd like to write about. Providing that topic has not already been covered we will then reply with further details.