The Law Apprenticeships Guide

Welcome

The Law Apprenticeships Guide sponsored by Mayer Brown International LLP

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Apprenticeship v university

Information to help you decide between an apprenticeship or university

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho is a second-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown International LLP

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Types of apprenticeship

Discover the different types of legal apprenticeship

Welcome Apprenticeship v university Meet the Apprentice Types of apprenticeship

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What's a law apprenticeship?

A law apprenticeship combines paid work and training at a law firm with part-time study for professional qualifications. It is an alternative path to going to university that offers the same career destinations, but avoids the expensive fees.

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

Cyril Lekgetho is a first-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

Want to know more?

What are the different types of apprenticeships?

Intermediate, paralegal, solicitor apprenticeships: here are the career options

Could 2024 be the year to start a legal apprenticeship?

Hear from CEO of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals, Jane Robson!

Legal apprenticeship skills checklist

Here's a checklist of the necessary skills to get off to a flying start

Legal apprenticeship vacancies

Discover legal apprenticeship positions available at various law firms and organisations

Ask the Oracle

Apprenticeship or university?

I’m considering starting a legal apprenticeship, but are the career prospects the same as the university route? What are the main differences between a paralegal/solicitor apprenticeship and going to university?

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Everything you need to know about launching a career in law.

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Legal apprenticeships: an alternative route to a legal career

For many, rises in university tuition fees have created a financial barrier to law, but legal apprenticeships can make legal careers more accessible to those with motivation and talent, as well as diversify legal training to match the increasing liberalisation of legal services, most clearly evidenced by the ongoing rise of alternative business structures.

Key questions

What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer?

Who can become an apprentice?

Do I have to study A-level law to be an apprentice?

News

Courts relocate hearings to tackle backlog

To address the national backlog of cases, earlier in November judges moved hearings from crown courts in Ipswich and St Albans to Cambridge, as well as nearby magistrates' buildings in St Albans and Peterborough.

News

Government set to boost legal aid funding to tackle asylum appeal backlog

The UK government is due to announce millions in extra funding for lawyers to represent asylum seekers in order to clear a backlog of appeals.

News

Milbank announces December bonuses

US law firm Milbank LLP has published its year-end bonus figures for its associates, which will be between $15,000 (£12,000) and $115,000 (£90,000) depending on their experience level.

News

Birketts to use London office as “springboard” to expand globally

Birketts LLP, a full-service law firm with office locations across the East of England, London and the South East, eyes plans to develop its international practice by using its City office as a “springboard”.

Latest updates

What’s the difference between a solicitor and graduate apprenticeship?

Costs lawyer apprenticeship on the horizon

Shoosmiths announces solicitor apprenticeship pilot

Magic circle law firm to introduce solicitor apprenticeship from 2025

Barrister apprenticeships to improve access to legal profession

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

Cyril Lekgetho is a second-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

Feature

A guide to law apprenticeships

A legal apprenticeship is a route to becoming a lawyer that combines a paid job at a law firm with studying for formal qualifications, funded by the government and your employer. It’s an alternative to the traditional route of going to university and training to be a lawyer afterwards. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are also on the rise. Find out more about the different legal apprenticeship options in this guide.

The Rookie Lawyer

What does a solicitor apprentice do?

In this article, we'll take a look at what solicitor apprenticeships entail, what they offer, and how they differ from other routes to qualifying.