Jobs and Careers Winter 2022/23 - 193

LEGAL MATTERS
When not appearing in court, they work
in chambers - the term used for a group
of barristers and their office premises -
to prepare their cases. Barristers advise
their clients on the strength of their case,
represent clients in court, cross-examine
witnesses and negotiate settlements.
What qualifications do I need? You'll
need a degree (2:2 or above), followed by
the Common Postgraduate Examination/
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (CPE/
PGDL). There are then two more steps
Prosecution Service (CPS) will earn you
from £27,393 to more than £70,000 a year
with experience. Top barristers in private
practice can earn as much as £750,000 or
more, although most earn much less.
SOLICITOR
Solicitors act for a client, on a massive
range of legal issues, from divorce to debt
recovery. You could work in a private
practice, a commercial office or for the
CPS, deciding whether cases should go to
Working hours for solicitors are usually
long, and it can be extremely stressful
to qualification. Firstly, a vocational step
to achieve the Bar Professional Training
Course (BPTC), which takes a year fulltime
or two years part-time. Finally, what's
called a pupillage: one year working in an
approved legal environment.
How much can I earn? Barristers doing
pupillage earn a minimum of £16,601
outside of London, or a minimum of
£18,960 a year in London, although some
chambers will offer substantially more.
Within a few years, you could earn up to
£200,000, depending on what sector you're
specialising in. Working in the Crown
" The thing I enjoy most is that I feel heard "
Esther Adetoba is senior brand and digital
communications executive for CMS
" I studied law at university and CMS is kind of a big deal!
What really sets CMS apart is its people and the fact that
future facing is at the fore front.
I advise people on best practice tips for creating the
most engaging videos and podcasts. I work with them
on scripts, structure, visual ideas and that all-important hook. I also help to
film in our studio and collaborate with colleagues to create videos for our
social media channels and key events.
I joined the firm just under two months ago, and the thing that's stuck out
is how welcoming everyone is, there's an openness to new ideas and creative
ways of thinking, which is inspiring.
One challenge is knowing how far to push content by way of innovation,
style or topic area. I'm big on personality-based content that puts people
at the forefront, but to do that, I have to know the personality of the firm,
luckily I'm getting there!
I love the creativity in my role. Every day I'm working on something
new, whether it's a video, a podcast, storyboard or even filming. The
thing I enjoy most is that I feel heard - my ideas and thoughts are listened
to and considered - what more can I ask for? "
court. You'll give legal advice, research new
cases, write legal documents and represent
clients in court. Working hours are usually
long, and it can be extremely stressful.
What qualifications do I need? If you
have a law degree, you can take the Legal
Practice Course in England and Wales,
and the Diploma in Professional Legal
Practice in Scotland. If you have a degree
in another subject, you can take the
CPE/PGDL in England and Wales, or an
accelerated degree in Scottish law. If you're
not a graduate, you can join the Chartered
Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and
qualify while working in the profession.
How much can I earn? The average trainee
solicitor's wage is between £18,000 and
£35,000 outside the capital, and up to
£48,000 in London. Starting salaries for
newly qualified solicitors in larger city law
firms range from £50,000 to £70,000, while
in regional law firms and high-street
practices, expect £22,000 and £45,000. A
partner at a law firm can earn from £100,000
a year. Depending on the size and type of law
firm, this figure could exceed £1m.
Find out more
* Chartered Institute of Legal
Executives
cilex.org.uk
* Civil Mediation Council
civilmediation.org
* Family Mediation Council
familymediationcouncil.org.uk
* The Law Society
www.lawsociety.org.uk
jobsandcareersmag.com /// JOBS & CAREERS /// 193
https://www.cilex.org.uk/ https://civilmediation.org/ https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/ https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/ https://www.jobsandcareersmag.com/
Jobs and Careers Winter 2022/23

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Winter 2022/23
