Law
Research your future career - how do I do this?
Once you’ve done some general research into your career of interest, you may want to investigate your sector in a bit more detail. We’ve compiled some resources for you including useful websites, recruitment specialists and professional organisations.
It’s important to remember that these are more than just potential sources for vacancies; keeping informed about industry news will really help you when it comes to answering interview questions and preparing applications that stand out from the crowd.
PCC resources
- Your future in law A complete guide to law careers for Brunel students
- Law uncovered blog News, events and everything else you might need to know, bought to you by the PCC Law Placement Officer, Alison Taylor; Law Careers Consultant, Sarah Rourke and the PCC information team
-
Alternative Careers For Law Students who wish to consider careers other than solicitor or barrister
- AllAboutLaw A general law site with lots of useful information for potential solicitors and barristers
- Baby Barista Baby Barista blog is a fictional account of a junior barrister practising at the English Bar, written by Tim Kevan
- Bar Council General information on the Bar, including information brochure 'It's your call' which is available as a pdf download. The brochure outlines the skills and qualities required to become a barrister, the training route students will need to take, facts and figures, and useful contact addresses and numbers
- Bar Standards Board Regulates barristers called to the Bar in England and Wales. Apply for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) through this website
- Chancery Bar Information you can download about careers at the Chancery Bar
- Doctorjob Website from the producers of Target Law directory. Includes features, training contract and vacation placement opportunities and legal news
- LNAT The LNAT is the National Admissions Test for Law. LNAT is designed to be a test of aptitude for studying law. The skills that candidates need to do well in the LNAT are also the skills that they need to do well in legal education and the site has sample questions
- OpenLearn Interactive resources about a career as a barrister
- Pupillageandhowtogetit Blog which includes tips on pupillage interviews
- Pupillage portal Online directory listing all chambers offering pupillage and mini-pupillage
- Waterlow Legal Information resource for law students with legal directories and training information
- Grays Inn
- Inner Temple
- Lincoln's Inn
- Middle Temple
- Institute of Barristers' Clerks Promotes the interests of its members and provides support and advice
- Law careers.Net Comprehensive online resource for future lawyers - includes a databases of pupillages and training contracts
- Legal Resources in the UK and Ireland Collection of links to a wide range of legal resources with student and job-seeker sections maintained by Delia Venables
- Online Law Online directory for UK solicitors and UK law firms - search under UK regions
- Pupillage portal Site contains information, advice and links to all pupillage vacancies in England and Wales
Courses and Funding for Solicitors and Barristers
- Bar Standards Board Regulates barristers called to the Bar in England and Wales
- CAB (Central Applications Board) Gives information on LPC and GDL courses
- Chambers and Partners Directory of UK Solicitors and Barristers
- Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL) help you to pay for a full- or part-time course that will lead to employment or enhance your job skills. To obtain an application pack call the helpline on 0800 585 505, or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pcdl where you can book a free call from an advisor by filling in the online form
- College of Law Information to help you decide what kind of law career will suit you - information on law postgraduate study, professional development and information for international students
Equal Opportunities
- Association of Muslim Lawyers Information and links of interest to Muslim lawyers and other Muslims in the UK and across the world
- Association of Women Solicitors Part of the Law Society with membership open to any woman solicitor or trainee who is a Law Society member
- Black Lawyers Directory Fundamental aim is highlighting and promoting diversity in law
- Society of Asian Lawyers A membership organisation which promotes access to justice and provides information
- Society of Black Lawyers Organises a range of activities which promote networking opportunities. Email national-office@sbl-hq.freeservc.co.uk
- The Black Solicitors Network committed to achieving equality of access, retention and promotion
- Chambers Global Guide, Chambers USA Online directory of leading international law firms and lawyers
- Court of Justice of the European Communities Information about the Court of Justice of the European Communities
- Eurobrussels European affairs jobsite, including links to vacancies with the main law firms operating in Brussels or internationally
- HG Legal Directories Source for international law firms and law associations
- Experience Development Focuses on international development and provides useful job listings and links
- International Centre for Commercial Law Includes the Legal 500 directory of UK law firms (online) plus information on firms in all other parts of the world
- International Court of Justice Contains information about the International Court of Justice along with rules and publications
- International Law Association Has branches worldwide. The main objectives of the Association are the study, clarification and development of both public and private international law
- LawBritannia Introduction into legal careers in the UK for non-UK nationals interested in studying and practising law in the UK
- Law.com News and information for American lawyers
- Lex net Provides global companies and their attorneys with information on the international law of all 192 nations and 200 other significant jurisdictions in the world
- University of Sussex - Institute of Development Studies Leading organisation for international development with many interesting links
Legal Employers and Specialisms
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers A not-for-profit campaign organisation, its member lawyers (mainly solicitors, barristers and legal executives) are dedicated to changing the law, protecting and enhancing access to justice, and improving the services provided for victims of personal injury
- Administrative Law Bar Association Professional association for practitioners of public law
- Bar Pro Bono Unit Charity which helps to find pro bono (free) legal assistance from volunteer barristers
- Citizens Advice Bureau Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice and by influencing policymakers
- Combar Commercial Bar Association. Brings together self-employed barristers who practise in the field of international and commercial law.
- Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Responsible for the prosecution of crime in Scotland, the investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths, and the investigation of complaints against the police
- Crown Prosecution Service Responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales
- CSS - Company Secretarial Services A recruitment consultancy specialising in the company secretarial field - an alternative for law graduates. Typical areas of involvement include: company law, contracts, corporate governance, board meetings, intellectual property, data protection, stock exchange compliance, corporate administration
- Free Representation Unit Providing free legal representation for the public and advocacy experience for junior lawyers
- Government Legal Service Their sole client is the British Government and they employ nearly 2000 lawyers and trainees to provide legal services every day across the entire spectrum of its activities
- GR Law Specialist legal recruitment consultancy, recruiting lawyers, paralegals, legal secretaries and other legal support staff for law firms and in-house legal departments. Offices in London and Sydney
- Immigration Law Practitioners Association Membership organisation for solicitors and barristers working in immigration law
- IFLR1000.com Guide to the world's leading financial law firms
- Justice Law reform and human rights organisation
- Land Registry Registers titles to land in England and Wales and maintains land registration system
- Law Centres Provide free legal advice and representation to disadvantaged people. There are 56 Law Centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, staffed by solicitors and barristers who specialise in areas of civil law including employment, housing, discrimination, welfare benefits, education and immigration
- Law Commission for England and Wales The statutory independent body created to keep the law under review and to recommend reform where it's needed
- Law Crossing Large collection of active legal jobs. Law Crossing continuously monitors the hiring needs of more than 250,000 legal employers, including virtually every law firm, corporation, government office and public interest organisation in the UK
- Legal Aid Practitioners Group Represents a large proportion of the legal aid profession
- Legal Prospects is a leading legal job board
- Ministry of Justice Responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy. Objectives: to provide effective and accessible justice for all, ensure people's rights and responsibilities and enhance democratic freedoms by modernising the law and the constitution
- Public Jobs Direct Local government lawyer information and jobs
- Sports Law Provides information and news about sports law
- Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) Group of lawyers who are committed to practising in those areas of law, both criminal and civil, that have traditionally been publicly funded. YLAL members include students, paralegals, trainee solicitors, pupil barristers and qualified junior lawyers based throughout England and Wales
Legal Recruitment Agencies
- Career Legal Recruitment agency for legal and paralegal work
- Crone Corkill Recruitment agency for legal and paralegal work
- Hays Legal Selection of legal, paralegal and legal executive jobs
- Ten-Percent Specialist legal recruitment agency
- Law Works LawWorks is the solicitors pro bono group across England and Wales and is a charity which aims to provide free legal help to individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay for it and who are unable to access legal aid. LawWorks also aims to provide a wide variety of pro bono opportunities to lawyers through their projects
- Legal Job Spot Job listings website specialising in law jobs. Includes vacancies within law firms and other legal organisations for solicitors, legal secretaries and legal support staff
- Legal Jobs UK Legal support recruitment specialist
- Totally Legal Specialist legal recruitment agency for legal professionals - opportunities include private practice, in-house, public sector, paralegal, HR legal roles, legal executive, legal secretarial and legal finance
Mediation and Arbitration
- Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) An independent, non-profit organisation with a mission to cut the cost of conflict and create choice and capability in dispute prevention and resolution. Includes advice on becoming a mediator and training information
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Not-for-profit, UK registered charity which promotes, facilitates and develops all forms of private dispute resolution. The organisation provides education and training for arbitrators, mediators and adjudicators
- Children's Rights Officers and Advocates Membership organisation for children's rights officers and advocates, developing rights and advocacy services for children and young people
- College of Mediators Includes a practitioner list and training information
- Mediation at Work Includes training courses for workplace conflict resolution
- National Family Mediation Not for profit family mediation centres and training information
- Society of Solicitor Advocates Scottish Solicitor Advocates represent clients in the higher courts in the UK, alongside barristers and advocates
- UK Mediation UK register of mediators and information on training
- Youth Justice Board Oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales and works to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18
Paralegal Careers
- Association of Costs Lawyers (acl) Information here about the work of the acl, membership details and training
- Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Professional association for chartered legal executive lawyers. CILEx provides education, training and the development of skills for its members
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers Regulatory body for licensed conveyancers who are qualified specialist property lawyers
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service Responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Institute of Barristers' Clerks (ibc) Provides current information and development of the barristers' profession
- Institute of Paralegals Professional body for paralegals - sets the competency standards for paralegals and legal secretaries, issues legal qualifications and works with government, eg to promote apprenticeships to the legal profession
- Law Careers.Net Comprehensive, one-stop online resource created for future lawyers and those who recruit them. Immediate vacancies section includes paralegal vacancies. LawCareers.Net features details of more than 1,000 firms, 200 chambers and 100 law course providers, as well as editorial on every aspect of becoming a lawyer. Students can subscribe to the LC.N weekly newsletter which features news, event listings, immediate vacancies, advice and a whole section devoted to commercial awareness. MyLC.N is a customisable area of LC.N within which you can store information from both LC.N and elsewhere, saving details of potential employers and creating a personalised MyTimeline. MyLocker is a central hub where you can store key information about yourself in order to transfer it into the application forms of participating firms
- Law Links Comprehensive set of links to Legal Publishers - from the University of Kent
- National Association of Licensed Paralegals Professional body for paralegals in England and Wales, providing information on qualifications, training and career development
- Premier Legal Specialist employment law solicitors - may have opportunities for paralegals
- Scottish Paralegal Association Official website for paralegal professionals looking for jobs within Scotland - click on Vacancies
- SimplyLawJobs Specialist legal jobs website with paralegal vacancies
- Solicitors Online Law Society Directory of firms (does not advertise vacancies but is useful for obtaining contact details of firms for speculative applications)
- The Lex 100 An online comparative guide to the leading law firms, based on the views of those actually doing the job
- Totallylegal A recruitment consultancy with graduate vacancies and useful information on interview preparation. Has paralegal vacancies
- Gazette Law Society's weekly magazine for its members. News and features and job vacancies - browse jobs by practice area
- Law Student Free magazine. Published twice a year it is an essential source of advice and information to help you through your studies and beyond. Articles cover everything from help with your legal studies, careers guidance, and lifestyle issues
- Inside Buzz Top Law Firms Browse quotes from current employees. Your inside look at companies, interviews, salaries and more
- Insite Insite law magazine has podcasts on legal and business news
- Junior Lawyers Division A division of the Law Society for junior lawyers across England and Wales
- Law Links Comprehensive set of links to Legal Publishers - from the University of Kent
- Lawyer2B A site from 'The Lawyer' for law students and others seeking qualification as a lawyer. Includes a graduate recruitment guide to law firms
- Legal Action The bulletin of the Legal Action Group, a national independent charity which aims to provide greater knowledge of the law and works with lawyers and advisers to promote equal access to justice
- Legal Week.com Publisher of news and analysis for lawyers in the UK, with 'Legal Week Student' section also
- Real World You can access the back issues of Real World magazines through their digital editions - look at magazines on: Law and Work Experience
- Sweet and Maxwell Leading legal publisher and provider of integrated solutions for the legal and professional service industries
- The Gateway News for law, business, finance and accountancy students with careers-related articles and a graduate focus
- The Lawyer Online magazine
- The Lawyer.com Current news and appointments for the legal profession
- Waterlow Legal Information resource for law students - find a solicitor, barrister, expert witness, barris, legal recruitment company, legal technology provider and other legal services
Solicitors
- AllAboutCareers Training contract process and LPC explained, also GDL (law conversion course) explained. Training contract deadlines by region and in London
- Blue Line Jobs Police and criminal justice community job
- CAB (Combined LPC and CPE Central Applications Boards) Gives information on courses and clearing houses for applications
- Chambers & Partners Directory of UK Solicitors and Barristers
- College of Law This site has really useful information to help you decide what kind of law career will suit you. There is information for undergraduates and postgraduates studying law and law-specific career development information
- College of Law Free downloads from the College of Law on legal career decisions, applications and interviews
- Junior Lawyers Local law societies open to student members – great networking if you want to work in a particular area
- Law Careers.net Contains a databases of training contracts and information about the solicitor career path
- Law Society Contains a wide range of information about the solicitors' profession
- Law Society of Scotland Provides a similar service for Scotland as Law Society of England and Wales
- Legal Centre Information for overseas lawyers wishing to work in the UK
- Legalcv.com A legal jobs board. Law firms and companies can post their own legal jobs and check applicant profiles and legal CVs direct from the website. The site focuses on helping law students to find training contracts and paralegal jobs
- Legal 500 Online analysis of larger commercial law firms plus a section on the bar. Information on firms' areas of practice
- Legal Resources in the UK and Ireland Comprehensive collection of links to a wide range of legal resources with student and job-seeker sections maintained by Delia Venables
- Lex on the net This site offers 'insider views' of the UK's top 100 firms and tips on applications and other career issues
- London Young Lawyers' Group (LYLG) The LYLG works in association with the Junior Lawyers Division. All law students, trainees and solicitors up to 5 years PQE in the London area are eligible to join - there is a modest annual fee. The LYLG organise events for members and provide a support network for lawyers during the early stages of their career
- Magistrates Association Site with information about becoming a magistrate, employing magistrates, magistrates' sittings, magistrates' courts
- Middlesex Law The site for Brunel's nearest regional Law Society with information on local solicitors, events and vacancies
- Prospects Web Law Directory A large legal database, including details of training contracts, mini pupillages and vacation work
- Roll on Friday News and information for the top solicitor firms, features salary information, a news desk and discussion board
- Solicitor Advocates Society of Solicitor Advocates has membership open to all Solicitor Advocates in Scotland. Scottish Solicitor Advocates represent clients in the higher courts in the United Kingdom, alongside barristers and advocates
- Solicitors in Local Government Professional association which represents the 4,000 local government solicitors and trainees in England and Wales. Includes a vacancy section
- Solicitors-online.com You can search for firms by location and type of work. It may be useful for getting contacts to target 'speculative applications' for work experience and training contracts (but there is no guarantee that there'll be a vacancy)
- Solicitor Sole Practitioners' Group Group for solicitors who practice with no partners
- The Black Lawyers Directory (BLD) Highlights and promotes diversity in law
- The Solicitors Pro Bono Group (LawWorks) LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) - an independent charity which supports, promotes and encourages a commitment to pro bono work across the solicitors' profession, encouraging the widespread involvement of students. LawWorks aims to increase the delivery of free legal advice to individuals and communities in need
- Targetjobs Law Advice for getting your graduate law career started. Search training contracts. Find out how to get into leading law firms
- Top Training Contracts Law firm profiles - training contracts
- Waterlow Legal Law information resource search facility - find a solicitor, barrister, expert witness, legal recruitment company. There is also a law career development search section
- Young Solicitors Group Group representing members of the law society in England and Wales who are less than 10 years qualified
Work Experience and Voluntary Opportunities
Look also under 'Solicitors' and 'Barristers'. The main directories of training contracts also have information on vacation placements and several Bar sites (including the Inns of Court) have advice on mini-pupillages.
- Amicus Legal charity offering US Death Row internships to law (post) graduates, with limited awards funded by the Foreign Office. Applicants must be prepared to provide most of the funding themselves, demonstrate a clear interest in Human Rights, and be able to accept at least a 3-month internship
- Amnesty International UK Is the UK section of the international human rights membership organisation Amnesty International. Paid work and voluntary opportunities are offered online whenever they are available
- BABSEA BABSEA (Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia) offers legal internships in south east Asia especially relevant for students interested in human rights
- Citizens Advice Bureaux Voluntary opportunities - advisers, administrators, receptionists, IT support coordinators, trustee board members, social policy campaigners
- ELSA The London branch of an international Law Students Association offering networking opportunities in 37 countries, seminars and conferences in the UK and overseas
- Free Representation Unit Pro bono legal representation unit - volunteer opportunities to work with clients for aspiring advocates who are final year law students or graduates
- Fulbright Commission Study in the USA
- Law Centres Federation Acts as a co-ordinating body and the voice for Law Centres
- National Council for Work Experience A national work experience database which may have included larger law firms in their main recruitment season
- Prisoners Abroad Organisation caring for Britons held overseas. Jobs and voluntary opportunities are posted on the website when available
- Pro Bono Information Service was set up by members of the Attorney General's Pro Bono Committee to co-ordinate, support and inform the providers and receivers of pro bono legal help
- Teaching & Projects Abroad Volunteer legal placements abroad may be available - see their website for full details - may be charges that volunteers have to pay
- The Solicitors Pro Bono Group (LawWorks) LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) - an independent charity which supports, promotes and encourages a commitment to pro bono work across the solicitors' profession, encouraging the widespread involvement of students. LawWorks aims to increase the delivery of free legal advice to individuals and communities in need
- British Journal of Criminology One of the of the world's top criminology journals. It publishes work from around the world and across all areas of criminology
- British Society of Criminology Aims to further the interests and knowledge, both academic and professional, of persons engaged in any aspect of teaching, research and public education about crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom
- Centre for Crime and Justice Studies Independent public interest charity whose mission is to inspire enduring change by promoting understanding of social harm, the centrality of social justice and the limits of criminal justice
- CJScotland Criminal justice issues for Scotland
- CJI Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland
- Crimlinks site Information on criminology and criminal and community justice
- Kent University Useful section on careers using a criminology degree which outlines key roles and resources
- Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) SOCA is an executive non-departmental public body of the Home Office. It is an intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers
- Skills For Justice Sector Skills Council for those working in the UK Justice system
- [PODCAST] BLD Vodcasts Have a look at the BLD video podcasts (vodcasts) which contain two categories: TCTL (Today's Children, Tomorrow's Lawyers) and LLP (Legal Launch Pad)
- All About Law A general Law site with lots of useful information for potential solicitors and barristers. Has a page for non-law students with information about the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Blue Pencil 100 possible interview questions for law firms interviewing and recruiting legal professionals on this international legal consultancy website
- Future Lawyers Network Website for everyone considering a career in law - careers advice and support, legal training information, details of upcoming legal events
- Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) This website lists UK courts and is invaluable for anyone trying to build legal experience either through visiting court or marshalling a judge
- Independent Custody Visiting Association A UK organisation for local community members who check on the welfare of people in police custody, by visiting police stations unannounced
- Junior Lawyers Law Society webinars The Junior Lawyers - Law Society has produced a series of free online seminars (webinars) which are available to view as on demand videos. Each session covers a specific subject with a live panel discussion and audience questions including 'The training contract what you need to know' and 'Re-training and re-employment'
- Justice Student Human Rights Network Supports those studying the law who are interested in human rights by creating a lively, interactive network
- LawBritannia Useful law information site regarding legal careers in the UK and how to become a lawyer, including information for international students who wish to practise in the UK
- LawCare Pastoral care organisation - advisory and support service to help lawyers
- Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) Supporting the delivery of high quality legal services by legal aid lawyers
- Legal Hub Online legal resource - a range of legal directories, law events, articles and news
- Legal Services Commission Looking after legal aid (Community Legal Service) in England and Wales, providing information, advice and legal representation to about two million people each year, helping them get access to justice. The Community Legal Service (CLS) helps people with civil legal problems such as family breakdown, debt and housing. The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) helps people who are under police investigation or facing criminal charges
- Linex Legal Useful source of legal company information. This is a service that collects together law firm publications, allowing the user to search by firm, legal topic/sector and keyword. May be a useful tool for researching pre-interviews
- Mootingnet In a moot, two pairs of 'advocates' argue a fictitious legal appeal case in front of a 'judge' (normally a lecturer or postgraduate student). To win, you do not necessarily have to win the legal case, but must make the best presentation of your legal arguments. Why moot? Mooting is useful for developing legal skills of analysis and interpretation, but also personal skills of argument and public speaking. Site explains how to moot, contacts and competitions
- MyLC.N Sign up to MyLC.N to coordinate applications online, keep track of deadlines, keep a diary, locate employers on a map
- Probonouk Information about probono legal work
- Prospects Industry Insights For an overview of the legal sector click on law
- Prospects law information click on types of jobs and legal profession for detail on barrister, solicitor, conveyancer and legal executive
- Skills for Justice Sector Council Sector Skills Council for law - custodial care, community justice, court and prosecution services, policing and law enforcement
- Target jobs law Information on training contracts, pupillages, vacation scheme advice and law graduate jobs
- Trainee Solicitor Surgery Specialist careers advice on how to get a solicitor's training contract - good tips from a former solicitor
- Waterlow Legal Comprehensive legal directory with searchable databases of UK solicitors, barristers and legal professionals
Reference books available in the PCC library
To have a look at these books and many others, visit the PCC today.
News and events blog
Join our Facebook page
Subscribe to RSS feed
