How could working as a paralegal help me become a solicitor?

Dear Oracle

I know that competition for training contracts is high, but I’ve also noticed that there seem to be increasing opportunities for paralegals, especially since the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE): would becoming a paralegal be a more certain way of pursuing a career as a solicitor?

The Oracle replies

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Paralegal opportunities have certainly increased in recent years, with both law firms and other companies heavily relying on them to take up the administrative duties traditionally done by solicitors. The term ‘paralegal’ is used to describe many different legal professional roles within both law firms and other organisations. Different types of organisations employ paralegals in various roles, sometimes under a title such as ‘contracts manager’ or ‘legal officer’. It’s also possible to do many kinds of legal work, sometimes quite specialist and technical, without having qualified as a solicitor.

Building up skills to secure a training contract

Working as a paralegal is a good way to build up the crucial work experience you need to secure a training contract. In the past it was possible for someone who’d passed the Legal Practice Course to use the experience they'd gained as a paralegal to qualify as a solicitor without having to secure a training contract at all – this was known as the ‘equivalent means’ route. However, with the introduction of the  SQE, only those who meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) transitional arrangements can qualify this way. Otherwise, you’ll need to complete the SQE to qualify as a solicitor.

Paralegal work contributing to QWE requirement

Working as a paralegal following your degree is likely to become an even more common part of the journey to qualifying as a solicitor with the introduction of the SQE. Under the SQE, there are four requirements that a candidate must meet to qualify as a solicitor, including the completion of two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE). This QWE requirement can be completed in up to four different placements/jobs, including paralegal work. Paralegals using their experience as QWE will need to record it and have it accredited by a solicitor at the organisation, a compliance officer for legal practice or, failing that, a solicitor outside the organisation who’s had direct experience of your work.

Candidates can qualify as a solicitor without completing a training contract if:

• the work completed is deemed fit to count towards a candidate’s QWE;
• they have a degree (or equivalent); and
• they’ve passed the SQE assessment and the SRA’s character and suitability assessment.

You can find out more about the steps required to get your QWE accredited in this Oracle.

Paralegal apprenticeship

Another option for those who are yet to make the choice between going to university and doing something else is the paralegal apprenticeship, which involves formal qualifications that can lead to qualifying as a legal executive. Following completion of the paralegal apprenticeship, candidates can then progress to the solicitor apprenticeship to eventually qualify as a solicitor via the SQE (if they wish).

In addition, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives’ CILEX Professional Qualification enables learners to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer, CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Advanced Paralegal.

Find out what other type of work counts as QWE in this Oracle and find out more about the CILEX qualifications via LCN.

A useful steppingstone

For some, working as a paralegal can be an important steppingstone to qualifying as a solicitor, but it doesn’t guarantee qualification. Aspiring lawyers should be mindful of the specific work experience requirements for qualifying through the SQE or equivalent means. Ultimately, if no training contract is immediately available to you, it makes sense to ‘get your foot in the door’ and gain experience while you apply or use the experience to contribute towards your QWE.

If you’d like further information on what being a paralegal entails and various routes, read LCN’s guide to paralegal work for future solicitors. You can also check out LCN’s Paralegals page and the SQE hub for more information on qualifying this way.

Current paralegal opportunities can be found on LawCareers.Net's Jobs page.