Shortened LPC will aid transition from Bar to law firm

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has introduced a new policy that will make it easier for graduates to make the transition from a career at the Bar to a career as solicitor.

The accreditation of prior learning will allow those who have passed the Bar professional training course (BPTC) or the Bar vocational course (BVC) to complete a shorter version of the legal practice course (LPC) in order to qualify as solicitors. Barristers must have completed their Bar vocational training within five years of their application for an LPC.

Under the new policy, BPTC and BVC graduates may be granted exemption from attendance and assessment in litigation, advocacy, drafting, and two vocational electives. Each LPC provider will make the decision on whether or not to adopt the changes, and will also make their own decision on whether course fees or lengths will be altered. It’s worth checking each provider’s policy before you apply.

Frances Burton, a barrister and research fellow at London Metropolitan University – one provider of the shortened LPC – said: ‘The new course enables talented students to take a proactive approach to moving their careers in the right direction and bringing the added value of their Bar backgrounds to finding employment on the other side of the profession.’

Good news for lawyers struggling to find pupillage

The aim of the new policy is to alleviate the struggles of those who have qualified as barristers but are struggling to find pupillage or tenancy. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon – in 2010/11, 2,865 applications were made for pupillage but only 446 pupillages were available.

Meanwhile, a recent survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that law firms receive a relatively low number of applications per vacancy at 45:1. Statistics produced by the College of Law also indicate that, because of the reduction in students completing the LPC, there may even be a shortage of candidates to fill training contract vacancies by 2013/14 – qualified barristers could become a hot commodity.

Barristers may also be attracted to the solicitor’s profession because of its guarantee of a more stable income – the average first-year salary at a City law firm is £38,000.

Source: Targetjobs.co.uk, Wednesday 25th July 2012