If you’ve moved to the UK, or are in the process of relocating, and you want to carry on your legal career, then you’ll need to undertake further training and study to give yourself a fighting chance of finding a position.
It’s advisable to choose the area of law you intend to work in, preferably the one in which you have the most experience in your native legal system, before you begin training. Short of studying another law degree, you won’t be able to cover everything, so it’s a good idea to make one area your focus.
Of course, it’s advisable to choose something that’s constantly in demand and well paid. Shipping law, while interesting, is difficult to get into and you’ll be fighting English lawyers with more detailed knowledge for positions. Specialising in an area such as employment law gives you a broad scope of what you can apply for, whether it be working for UK organisations such as Citizen’s Advice or in-house as part of a company’s legal time.
Citizen’s Advice is also a good place to find unpaid work experience, which will stand you in great stead when you come to apply for jobs. As with all industries, your chances of securing a role in the legal profession will depend on your ability to apply yourself and your passion to succeed.
This guide was submitted on behalf of JSB Training & Development , a training and development organisation offering specialised employment law courses in the UK.