-
Solicitors hubEverything you need to know about becoming a solicitor
-
Search training contractsSearch for a training contract at nearly 1,000 organisations
-
Training contract deadlinesA comprehensive list of training contract deadlines
-
Vacation scheme deadlinesA comprehensive list of law firms' vacation scheme deadlines
-
Meet the Lawyer
Read how today's lawyers went from student to qualified lawyer
-
Meet the Recruiter
Advice from recruiters on acing your applications and more
-
Vacation Scheme Insiders
Get a sense of what firms' vacation schemes are really like
-
Brochures
Your essential first step in identifying the firm for you
-
Practice Area Profiles
Hear from solicitors working in specific practice areas
-
Barristers hubEverything you need to know about becoming a barrister
-
Search pupillagesSearch for a pupillage at nearly 200 barristers' chambers
-
Pupillage deadlinesA comprehensive list of pupillage deadlines
-
Meet the Lawyer
Read how today's barristers went from student to qualified barrister at the Bar
-
Practice Area Profiles
Hear from barristers working in specific practice areas
-
Types of chambers
Find out more about the different types of chambers
Interested in a future career as a lawyer? Use The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law to get started
Find out about the various legal apprenticeships on offer and browse vacancies with The Law Apprenticeships Guide
Information on qualifying through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, including preparation courses, study resources, QWE and more
Discover everything you need to know about developing your knowledge of the business world and its impact on the law
The latest news and updates on the actions being taken to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
Discover advice to help you prepare for and ace your vacation scheme, training contract and pupillage applications
Your first-year guide to a career in law – find out how to kickstart your legal career at this early stage
Your non-law guide to a career in law – everything you need to know about converting to law
-
Education hubThis hub covers all aspects of legal education and training
-
Search law coursesSearch law-related courses across the UK
-
Law school prospectusesIdentify the right law school for you with these prospectuses
-
FinancesFind out about sources of funding at each stage of the qualification process
-
Undergraduate degree
Find out what an undergraduate degree is
-
Law conversion courses – PGDL
Find out about what you learn and where to study
-
Legal practice course – LPC
Find out what the LPC involves and whether you're eligible
-
Bar courses – BPTC/BPC
Find out about the course required to qualify as a barrister
-
SQE preparation courses
Find out about the brand-new SQE preparation courses
-
Commercial QuestionArticles from law firms designed to get you thinking commercially
-
FeaturesThese are designed to increase your knowledge of the profession
-
LCN SaysInsights from LCN and contributors from the world of law
-
The OracleAdvice on issues from funding your studies to getting experience
-
LCN Weekly NewsletterKickstart your legal career with the latest content in our newsletter
News
First woman barrister gets a plaque
updated on 29 April 2021
The first woman to practise as a barrister will be commemorated with a blue plaque this year. Helena Normanton KC (1882-1957) was the first woman to join an Inn, practice at the Bar, appear in the High Court, appear in the Old Bailey, and was one of the two first women King’s Counsel in England and Wales.
English Heritage has announced she will be one of six women to be honoured with a blue plaque this year.
Normanton made history on 24 December 1919 when she became the first woman to make use of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 passed the previous day, joining Middle Temple. This followed a fight against male exclusivity in the legal profession, including public debates, writing and an appeal to the House of Lords in 1918. The second woman called to the bar in 1922, she was the first to practise and to lead a prosecution in a murder trial. She worked extensively to make divorce law more equal for all, becoming the first woman to obtain a divorce for a client.
The plaque will mark the address where she lived for the early part of her legal career, although the date of its unveiling is not yet set due to uncertainties caused by covid-19.
