I'm 28, contemplating doing a Law degree next year

[divaprincess09]

Ive been told that I have to do humanties qualification (access course level 3) before I apply to do law degree... By the time I start I will be nearly 30, is this too late and whats it like doing a law degree??? I'd like to specialise in criminal law...

[Eve]

Haha Dot :) I was trying to be nice though I have to say, knowing the nature of the job, her posts in Beauty do not bode particularly well for a career in law!

Lateral thinking, common sense and initiative are pretty key really.

[dothawkes31]

I should try to be nice too but I can't sugar coat it like you legal eagle types can lol

[divaprincess09]

well seems alot of people are very interested in my other posts. OMG people READ the title 'CONTEMPLATING' this has NOTHING to do with my job at the minute !!!!!!!!!!!

@dotawkes31 STOP moking me !!!

[gester108]

to get in to uni u have to do access course to gain credits...if u have no previous qualifications u will start at level 2 and will take you 2 years..then u have to apply to uni for a degree which wil take 3 years, then on graduation u may have to do postgrad in ur specialist field or a masters, then u have to be a trainee for a firm for approx 5-6 years then u may be able to begin ur own firm...law's very complex..alot of study needed...only go down this route if u are committed, the older u are the more likely u are to take the info in but then again the more likely to have other demanding commitments. im 30 and into year 2 of a degree so its never too late!

[Eve]

With respect, that's not quite correct.

I can't answer about the access part but if you get a qualifying law degree (three years and passes in all core modules and an overall pass) you then (provided you get in) do either the LPC (one year postgrad to part qualify as a solicitor) or BVC (also one year) to go on to train to be a barrister.

If you do not have a qualifying law degree (eg in another subject or you didn't do all the core modules on a law degree) then you can do the one year GDL which is the core modules crammed into one year (of hell so I'm told) before you can go on and do the LPC/BVC.

The training contract (working in a firm on a training programme) to qualify as a solicitor is 2 years in a firm although time off up to 6 months can be given for relevant experience (ie working in a law firm as a paralegal).

You also have to undertake a number of mandatory courses (PSC) during your training and pass them before you qualify, albeit only one is actually examined as such).

At the end of your training contract your firm has to sign you off and the Law Society do their own checks then if you are successful you are admitted to the roll.

Obviously you don't need legal qualification to work as a paralegal and there are other routes such as becoming a legal executive or court clerk or similar.

You can techinically run your own firm after you are 3 years qualified.

[Stu Dent]

No you're not too old to begin studying law at 30. But unless you already work within the profession (as a paralegal say) then yes, I think it would be more difficult for you to carve out a career in the legal profession than it would be for younger graduates. The good news is that I think the situation is changing and employers are starting to appreciate the benefits of maturer employees who are multi-skilled and are experienced at problem solving.

But the most important factor is your exam results. The fewer resits you have the better. Aim for zero and aim to get good marks in all your exams.

Apart from all of that I still say you should go for it if your passion is law. You're more likely to find work as a dentist than as a lawyer but if law is your thing you can hardly help it. Besides: knowledge of law will always stand you in good stead even if you never ever enter the legal profession.