Life of Newly Qualified UK Lawyer

Tag: lpc

  • The Positive Aspects of Taking the Legal Practice Course

    I am sure if you are reading this, you already know quite a bit about The Legal Practice Course (LPC). For those who may not be as familiar, this is a postgraduate qualification that is required for anyone who wants to become a solicitor in England and Wales. There is no sugar coating the fact that it is a demanding course, but it also offers a number of positive aspects that can benefit your career.

    1. Gaining practical skills

    The LPC is focused on the practical skills that lawyers use day to day. This includes skills such as legal research, drafting legal documents, and advocacy, amongst other things. I found that my skills in organisation, priortising and writing improved, mainly due to the fact that you have so much to do in such a short period of time, you need to use these regularly, just to keep you “head above water.” By having these skills you will also be set for your training contract and have a base to go from when you are in the professional legal world!

    2. Networking with other future lawyers

    One of the great benefits is that the LPC is a great opportunity to network with other future lawyers. You will meet people from different law schools and different backgrounds, and you will build relationships that could be valuable in your career. Indeed, my class mates and I had a WhatsApp group where we stayed in touch throughout the time and after the LPC. It was a great source of support and chance to let off steam when things did not go to plan and chat about how everyone else was finding it.

    3. Getting a taste of different areas of law

    The LPC allows you to sample different areas of law. This is a great way to discover which areas of law you are most interested in and which areas you might want to specialise in.

    4. Improving your legal knowledge

    The LPC will give you a deeper understanding of the law and will focus in on areas which before you will only have had an overview, whereas this will focus in and give you a greater understanding.

    5. Opening up new career opportunities

    The LPC can open up new career opportunities. For example, if you are interested in working in the in-house legal department of a company, the LPC will give you the skills and knowledge that you need to be successful in this type of role.

    Conclusion

    The Legal Practice Course is a demanding course, but it also offers a number of positive aspects that can benefit your career and will impact you on a personal level also. Off course, the SQE is now, for the majority the way to go as the LPC route is phased out. However, there are those who will have the choice to do both and I would recommend it. You will develop transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork and it will help you grow on both professional and personal levels. If you are able to do the LPC route, it is worth a think.

    Off course, if you have any questions, drop me an email or check me out on instagram!

    Email – hello@learninglawyer.co.uk

    Instagram – @learninglawyeruk

  • Work Life Balance for a Newly Qualified Solicitor

    The legal profession is known for its demanding nature, long hours, and high levels of stress. Balancing work and personal life can be challenging for an experienced solicitor, never mind a newly qualified one who is trying to impress and build a career. It is essential for overall well-being and professional success to try and figure our some kind of balance, and important to remember that what may work for me, may not work for someone else. Here are some thoughts and things I have learnt:-

    1. Set Clear Boundaries
    2. Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Define specific working hours and stick to them as much as possible. Avoid checking emails or taking work calls during non-working hours unless it is an emergency. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues and clients to manage expectations effectively.
    4. Prioritize and Delegate
    5. Efficient time management is crucial in the legal profession. Prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, and focus on high-value activities. Delegate non-essential tasks to colleagues or support staff whenever possible. Learning to delegate effectively allows you to reduce your workload and free up time for personal commitments.
    7. Schedule Personal Time
    8. Intentionally schedule personal time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, exercising, or simply unwinding, allocate dedicated slots in your calendar. Treating personal time as non-negotiable will help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
    10. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
    11. The legal profession can be stressful, so it’s essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Engage in activities that reduce stress, such as regular exercise, meditation, or mindfulness practices. Consider seeking support from mentors, therapists, or support groups to help manage work-related pressures.
    13. Learn to Say No
    14. As a newly qualified solicitor, there will always be demands on your time and you will want to take on as much as possible to impress and show that you can handle and manage your workload. However, it’s important to recognise your limits and learn to say no when necessary. Overcommitting yourself can lead to burnout and negatively impact both your work and personal life. Prioritise your well-being by setting reasonable limits on your workload.
    16. Utilise Technology and Flexibility
    17. Embrace technology to enhance efficiency and flexibility. Take advantage of legal software, productivity tools, and virtual collaboration platforms to streamline tasks and enable remote work when appropriate. Embracing flexible work arrangements can help you better manage your time and achieve a healthier work-life balance.
    19. Communicate with Your Firm or Supervisor
    20. If you are struggling to maintain a work-life balance, have an open and honest conversation with your firm or supervisor. I have found that my manager and firm are very understanding and willing to help and assist if you speak and be honest about the struggles you may be having. I have never found myself being singled out and “punished” for speaking the truth.

    Finding a work-life balance in the field of law is a continuous effort, but it is crucial for your personal well-being and long-term success. By setting boundaries, prioritising tasks, scheduling personal time, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and utilising technology and flexibility, you can navigate the demands of the legal profession while still maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Remember, taking care of yourself is not only essential for your happiness but also enhances your ability to serve your clients effectively.

  • What about me?

    When I launched this blog, I was so eager to get writing that I skipped over a proper introduction. So here it is.

    I qualified as a solicitor in 2022, but my journey to qualification wasn’t exactly a straight line. I originally graduated with an LL.B in Law and Government Policy back in 2003, before taking some time away from the legal world (as far as possible, in fact!). Eventually, I found my way back, working as a Legal Executive before deciding—thanks to encouragement from my family and a supportive partner in the firm—to qualify fully through the LPC route, just before the SQE took over.

    It wasn’t easy. I studied the LPC part-time while working, built up my two years’ qualifying work experience, and completed the Professional Skills Course at the University of Law. By summer 2022, I’d ticked all the boxes and crossed the finish line. There were plenty of bumps along the way, but with the backing of my family, I made it. (I still haven’t booked my graduation ceremony in London… but I’ll get around to it!)

    Now, I work in the Private Client world—wills, probate, estate administration, residential conveyancing—with the occasional dabble in civil litigation.

    Why this blog? Simple: I want to share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and the mistakes I’ve made, to help students and newly qualified solicitors find their way through this profession. Everyone’s road is different, but if my experiences can help even one person feel more confident—or avoid a pitfall I stumbled into—then it’s worth writing.

    ⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |