Each week we explain the ins and outs of a job area. Today, the legal profession
What are my options?If you are interested in law as a career you have a number of options. Here are just three.
Solicitors are the first point of contact for anyone seeking legal advice. They can deal with all aspects of the law or specialise in certain areas. Their work may range from conveyance (the transfer of property from one owner to another) and drawing up contracts to preparing legal cases and representing a client on one side of a dispute.
Barristers do not deal directly with the public; they rely on solicitors to refer clients to them. They argue cases before the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Supreme Court. The solicitor prepares a file on the case; the barrister argues the case before a judge.
A legal secretary works in a legal office, taking telephone calls, dealing with clients and organising the appointments and correspondence of the solicitors who work in the office. The secretary also keeps a record of clients' legal bills and the costs involved in a case.
What sort of talents and qualities will I need?Barristers must be excellent public speakers. You need to be able to think on your feet when you're under pressure. Discretion is essential. You will be dealing with confidential information and you must be trustworthy.
A legal secretary must be very organised, with excellent secretarial skills. You must be efficient, and attention to detail is essential. Communication skills are crucial, as is a good telephone manner.
To be a solicitor you need excellent communication skills and to be able to explain complex legal language in plain English to your clients. When preparing a case, solicitors must be thorough and methodical in their research.
What Leaving Cert subjects should I be thinking about?Straight law degrees are competitive to get into but have no specific subject requirements. Points are high: last year, law at Trinity College in Dublin needed 535 points, with random selection in the final round. University College Dublin required fewer points, at 495. NUI Galway asked for 490, with random selection, for its civil law degree.
Bear in mind that law and French is very competitive (and has a French entry requirement): students needed 575 points for Trinity's course last year.
Law is available at other colleges, too, including UCC, UL, DIT and Griffith College Dublin.
If the degree points are too lofty, it is worth thinking about doing a certificate or diploma in legal studies, as that can also lead to a law degree. Waterford IT required 220 points last year for its legal-studies diploma - and 310 for its degree course. You can also take legal studies at Griffith College Dublin, Crumlin College of Further Education and Enniscorthy College of Further Education.
Numerous courses cater for people who want to become legal secretaries and administrators. A Fetac level-five qualification generally needs a year's full-time study. A two-year course will lead to a level-six qualification.
Qualification as a solicitor or barrister comes after the completion of an initial degree for most people. An approved law degree is required for direct entry to a training course provided by the professional body for barristers at King's Inns. Other graduates of approved degrees are accepted on completion of a diploma in legal studies provided by King's Inns.
Blackhall Place is the home of the Law Society, which provides professional examinations and training for solicitors. University graduates and law clerks (aka legal executives) who have five years' experience and who hold a diploma in legal studies may apply directly. Everyone else must sit a preliminary examination.
How can I find out more?See qualifax.ie for information about courses. Another option is to become a legal executive. You can find out more at www.careerdirections.ie, www.lawsociety.ie, www.kingsinns.ieor the website of your preferred institution.
