How to Build a Career in UK Criminal Law

Across the world, law is regarded as a noble and highly prestigious calling that not all are equipped to tackle. Solicitors, lawyers, and others with careers in practicing law perform an incredibly important role in most modern societies. However, the journey to obtaining the title is often long and fraught with challenge. When we assess some of the most successful law practitioners or a high profile chambers member, we see a vast array of professional individuals who have worked hard for their careers and are continually seeking to educate themselves and remain at the top of their field.

When it comes to criminal law in the UK, the bar is raised even higher for what is expected of solicitors. That’s because the demand of the job is high, with heavy caseloads, lots of time spent in court, and the added pressures of high stakes for justice to be served dutifully and thoroughly. But the career path can also be a rewarding one, allowing individuals to empathise, support, and genuinely get to know people from walks of life they never would have otherwise. If this type of career sounds fulfilling to you, here are some tips to keep in mind to work towards and build a career in UK criminal law.

Give It Your All, with Confidence

There is no denying that legal positions are highly competitive. And while it is paramount to succeed academically on your journey to become a solicitor of the court, if you want to stand out from the crowd, the true key is confidence and perseverance.

One of the most important steps along the way to your law career will be taking part in a pupillage or training contract. These, like the ultimate career itself, are very competitive. It is very likely that along the way, no matter how brilliantly constructed your application, you will face rejection. Keep trying! Seek feedback, remain confident in your abilities and steadfast in your goals, and eventually, you will secure the spot that is right for you.

Choose the Right Training Contract or Pupillage for Your Goals

Depending on what you want out of your law career in the long term, you have some important choices to make in your education and training. A big decision is whether you want to seek out a training contract with a notable law firm or whether you want to take on a pupillage and seek a place in chambers as a barrister.

Training contracts typically span two years and give aspiring solicitors the choice to apply with law firms that align with their beliefs and do the work they want to do. But if your ultimate goal is to become a barrister of the court, a pupillage is mandatory after successful completion of the Bar Professional Training Course.

With both paths, there are positives and negatives. It’s important to thoroughly assess all sides and make the decisions that are best to help you achieve your goals instead of scrambling to accept anything that is offered to you. Remain confident and be knowledgeable of the process and let the system work for you.

Develop Strong Communication Skills

It is incredibly important if you wish to seek a career in criminal law that you are thoroughly knowledgeable of the written and practiced laws of the country. It’s also necessary to stay abreast of latest legal happenings and current events. But with all the focus on book smarts, other important attributes of a successful and sought-after criminal solicitor can often go overlooked and under-practiced. One of these primary skills is communication.

Not only do criminal solicitors need to develop communication skills to utilise in court but knowing how to communicate empathetically is paramount to developing a trusting relationship with the person you may be defending in a criminal case. Additionally, a lot of projects will be collaborative efforts with colleagues where interpersonal communication skills can make or break a team dynamic.

While the road to a career in criminal law is long, it is a worthy undertaking that can be both incredibly fulfilling and deeply helpful to others in the ongoing fight for justice.