The University of Law launches new solicitor apprenticeship programme

The University of Law (ULaw) has launched a new solicitor apprenticeship programme for 2017. The programme, which started on 25th September, is designed to create successful partnerships between the University, employers and apprentices to meet the requirements of the Government’s employer-led trailblazer standard for solicitor qualification.

A number of law firms and employers have already signed up to the ULaw programme, with a total of 28 apprentices starting this year having passed their A-levels or progressing from successful completion of paralegal programmes. Among these are law firms Gowling WLG (Birmingham office), Fieldfisher (in London and Manchester) and Plexus Law (in Leeds, London and Manchester).

The new ULaw six-year solicitor apprenticeship programme has a practical focus and aims to equip apprentices with a thorough understanding of core legal subjects, with an in-depth practical implementation.

A combination of work-based and online supervised study, together with practical and academic activities at ULaw campuses will prepare apprentices to undertake the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam Parts 1 and 2. Apprentices who successfully complete these assessments will be entitled to apply to the SRA to be admitted as solicitors at the end of the programme.

University is no longer the only route to qualifying as a lawyer. Legal apprenticeships evolved in 2016 - it is now possible to become a Solicitor, Paralegal or Chartered Legal Executive via the apprenticeship route. 

For more information on the trailblazer apprenticeships in the legal profession, see here. To browse legal apprenticeships, see here.

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