There are about 10,000 law firms currently in private practice in the UK, and about 11,500 self-employed barristers (14,000 including employed barristers). These two areas provide a home for the vast majority of UK lawyers.
Very few who successfully complete the academic stages have the opportunity to go into private practice. Many have no choice but to work as lawyers in other organisations, such as in industry as an in-house lawyer, or for any number of other organisations that employ legal services. Others utilise the skills they have learned during their training without actually practising as a lawyer.
Legal training is a valuable commodity outside the world of solicitors and barristers. Employers value the skills you have learned throughout your legal training, such as the ability to research, collect and analyse large amounts of information; to weigh-up points and counter points; and to create a logical argument and reasoned conclusion from a set of facts. The ability to communicate clearly with the public and the profession alike is another sought after ability. Discretion, the ability to handle and work under pressure, and a first-class memory are all abilities valued in the general career market.
List of Other Careers in Law and Related Careers in Other Industries
Barrister's Clerks, Citizens Advice Bureau, Civil Service, Coroners, Court Reporters, Court Workers, Financial Institutions, Government Legal Services, Industry, Law Centres, Legal Executives, Legal Publishing, Legal Recruitment, Consultants, Legal Secretaries, Licensed Conveyancers, Local Government, Magistrates Court Services, Notaries, Patent Agents, The Prosecution Service.
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