Complete a Qualifying Law Degree from Queen's University Belfast.

Obtain a Master (a solicitor with whom the applicant proposes to serve their traineeship). Then complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Belfast (IPLS). Note: This also requires the student to complete a period of ‘in office’ training with their Master.

Call: Upon completion of their traineeship and having satisfied the Law Society of Northern Ireland of all requirements, the student will then be called to the Roll of Solicitors of Northern Ireland.

For further information, see: https://www.lawsoc-ni.org/law-degree-route

Barrister in Northern Ireland

Complete a Qualifying Law Degree from Queen's University Belfast.

 Complete the Bar Post-Graduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Queen’s University, Belfast (IPLS).

Pupillage: Call to the Bar of Northern Ireland. The student must complete a 12-month pupillage (usually of six months, and a practising period, usually of six months) with an eligible ‘Master’.

For further information, see: https://www.barofni.com/page/becoming-a-barrister

Solicitor in England and Wales 

Pass both stages of the SQE assessment - SQE1 focuses on practical legal knowledge and SQE2 on practical legal skills.

NOTE: All candidates looking to qualify through the SQE route will need to complete two years' full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience (QWE).

Admittance to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales.

For further information (including what constitutes QWE), see: https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/

Barrister in England and Wales

Complete a Bar Training Course (covered by different providers). In order to enrol on a Bar training course, the student be a member of one of the Inns of Court. During the vocational component, students must also attend qualifying sessions with their Inn of Court.

Pupillage: Call to the Bar of England and Wales and complete a 12-month pupillage (usually of six months, and a practising period, usually of six months.)

For further information, see: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/training-qualification/becoming-a-barrister.html

Solicitor in The Republic of Ireland

Pass the Law Society entrance examination (known as the Final Examination – First Part (FE-1)) Exams are held twice a year, in autumn and spring, and there are eight papers.

Obtain a two-year training contract (Indentures of Apprenticeship) with an eligible solicitor who has been practising for at least four years.

Students must complete the Professional Practice Courses (PPC I & PPC II). After this course, students seek admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

Admittance: Admittance to the roll of solicitors of Ireland.

For further information, see: https://www.lawsociety.ie/education--cpd/Become-a-Solicitor