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Message: <blockquote data-quote="laurabeaumont" data-source="post: 145562" data-attributes="member: 29428">Hi [USER=24174]@prospectiveswitcher[/USER] ,I am so totally in admiration and awe of you. Young people are told time and time again to choose their career at 18-21 and pursue it until you retire, but that really is not the case. We all supposedly have three different career paths in us and rightfully so, we humans love variety and choice and there is little reason to do the same thing forever.Anyway, putting aside that over-flowing respect for a second, the GDL would definitely be useful but obviously expensive and actually not essential. <a href="https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/News/SQE-prep-alone-isnt-enough-say-law-firms-16052023" target="_blank">Whilst some firms do still ask applicants to undertake the GDL</a>, actually to qualify you only need the following:<a href="https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/Features/21072023-GDL-and-SQE-whats-going-on-with-conversion-courses#:~:text=Conversion%20course%20no%20longer%20required,))%20to%20take%20the%20SQE." target="_blank">Under the new rules, there are four things you need to qualify as a solicitor. You must:</a><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">have a university degree or equivalent in any subject (law or non-law);</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">pass the character and suitability assessment set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">pass SQE stages one and two (SQE1 and SQE2); and</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">have two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE).</li> </ul>I am not 100% sure if your degree qualifies, do check the Law Society website <a href="https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/solicitors-qualifying-examination-sqe/" target="_blank">here</a>. If it doesn’t, you have a few options to consider:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You could go ahead and undertake the GDL self-funded, which is obviously expensive and your future firm might even require it! However, it does mean you could start applying for legal work as a paralegal or document reviewer and also add to the QWE sooner rather than later so you can qualify earlier.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Alternatively, you could preemptively apply for training contracts with the experience you already have, but you will likely have to wait before starting legal employment. However, it does mean the SQE/GDL will be funded by the firm.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You could apply for an apprenticeship <a href="https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/qualifying-without-a-degree/" target="_blank">via the CiLEX route</a> - this <a href="https://www.thelawyerportal.com/study-law/legal-apprenticeships/chartered-legal-executive-apprenticeship-guide/" target="_blank">link</a> will explain it better, but it means those without degrees can start the process of qualification if they start with at least 4 GCSES. It will likely entail working part-time and studying part-time simultaneously. Whilst it will take 5-6 years to become a qualified solicitor, you will a degree, SQE completed and be paid to undertake legal experience. It may just be the middle ground you were looking for!</li> </ul>Hope this helps!Please keep us updated on your journey.Laura <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />)</blockquote>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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