At Backhouse, we believe in helping young people on their journey to becoming a legal professional and several members of our team started right here!
Supporting young legal professionals as they embark on their careers is a vital investment in the future of the legal industry. At our firm, we take pride in nurturing talent within our team, with several current team members who have successfully qualified with us and others who are actively working towards qualifying.
Whether it is work experience, apprenticeships or legal qualifications, we encourage and assist the aspiring legal professionals of tomorrow!
Routes into a Legal Career:
We attend various careers fairs in and around Chelmsford and are often asked which path we would recommend for students looking to start a career in law. There are several avenues available:
Training Contract –
This is a two-year contract that trainee solicitors complete. It is often the final step before qualification and provides a brilliant opportunity to put all your legal knowledge to practical use. The contract will involve working in different legal departments to enhance your practical legal knowledge on the different areas of law
Level 7 Apprenticeship –
The Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship offers a work-based pathway into the legal industry while obtaining an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice. At Backhouse Solicitors our apprentices study multiple areas of law for 6 years while continuing to work as part of the team and being supported by our experts.
Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship –
This apprenticeship is a work-based pathway that typically takes between 12 and 18 months to complete. The course focuses on a variety of business aspects through coursework and assignments. Several members of the team have chosen this route, starting their legal career as receptionists or as an assistant within one of our legal departments.
CILEX –
CILEX Lawyers are fully qualified legal professionals authorised to practise as specialist lawyers alongside Solicitors. What differentiates a CILEX Lawyer from a solicitor is that a CILEX Lawyer begins to specialise in a specific area of practice during their qualification, providing them with extensive knowledge and experience of that area of law.
SQE –
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination, or SQE, is the assessment for all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales. It is designed to assure consistent, high standards for all qualifying solicitors. Unless you started your training journey by September 2021, you will have to sit and pass the SQE in order to qualify, regardless of your chosen route to qualification as a solicitor.
CLC –
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) qualification is generally undertaken while working in a related role. This involves registering as a CLC student, completing 1200 hours of practical training (under the supervision of a qualified employer) and then passing the Level 4 and Level 6 CLC qualifications.
Work experience –
We welcome enthusiastic, passionate students who are considering a career in the legal industry to visit us for work experience. Candidates will have the opportunity to spend time in all of our departments to get a feel for the different work we do and the variety of cases we handle. Hopefully, their time with us will give them a clearer idea of which area of law they are most interested in.
Kira has just finished her week of work experience at Backhouse and she LOVED it. You and your team left her absolutely buzzing for her upcoming law career, again many thanks for giving her the opportunity and leaving her with a very positive experience.
Thank you so much again for my work experience at Backhouse Solicitors last week. I really enjoyed it, and it was very interesting to see how the law is applied in practice. I really enjoyed the variety of the week, it was very well planned and I felt as though I experienced a good range of the services you offer.I thought the fact you provide work experience for younger students was very forward-thinking and supportive. Prior to the week I wasn’t sure which field of law I wanted to go into, but I really enjoyed the varied nature of Family Law, and I am looking forward to studying it in more depth next year as one of my optional modules. I was made very welcome by everybody, and I really enjoyed the professional, inclusive atmosphere of your firm.
Thank you once again for the opportunity you gave me. Though brief, I enjoyed my time at Backhouse. I found it insightful, as it has helped me learn what practice is like. It has also helped me narrow down what field I want to practice in.
Contact our HR team for more details at HR@backhouse-solicitors.co.uk