What a foreign lawyer can do in the UK?

[ReinaLuna]

Hi guys, I am a lawyer in my native country.
I know it's quite a complicated career to work being abroad, as each country has their own laws, so, I'm searching for options. Something where I could use my knowledge, and also my language skills (I speak 2 languages apart from English.)

Any suggestions about what alternative careers a lawyer could pursue?

[Eve]

How about trying to get some legal translation work depending on what languages you speak?

Could be translating documents and correspondence, even interviews or helping translate in court or for people who need legal services but don't speak enough English and need a translator. I'm a solicitor and have needed a translator on matters before.

You could also try for paralegal type positions in firms, some may even help you get qualified over here and maybe even help fund the course if you find the right firm. What kind of law did you practice?

[ReinaLuna]

Hi Jenna!

Good ideas you are giving me here, because I am really lost...

In Brasil when you finish the uni, you are actually a bachelor in social sciences and law - you are not yet a lawyer. Then, if you want to be a public servant you go for some exams, if you want to be a lawyer you go for other exams with the Lawyers association. I went for the latter, so I am a proper lawyer, but not specialised in anything, as our course is a general law course. There we learn criminal, civil, tax, international, labour, well, all kinds of law you imagine. After graduating you can do a master degree (post graduation courses)and specialise but I couldn't afford it I'm afraid.

I have worked there with labour (which I don't like a lot) and civil law, but if you ask me, my favourite subjects are really international and commercial law.

And the languages I can speak apart from English are Portuguese and Spanish, can do with some Italian also, but not totally fluent.
Thanks a lot!

[Eve]

You could always check out firms which specialise in buying property abroad, probably mainly in Spain and Portugal over here, where you could put your language skills to good use and pick up the legals?

How about institutions such as embassies or banks? not sure whereabouts you are but there's are embassies for Brazil and other South American and European countries like Spain and Portugal in London.

List here...

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=O penMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=100702 9396086

[joko]

immigration departments, for translation and discussion on legal issues

the citizens advice bureau, to help give legal advice

even the embassy...

[ReinaLuna]

Thank you for the great ideas, the embassies would be good, but I live close to Birmingham in the West Midlands, and although I wouldn't mind getting the train to London everyday, I don't think they would like it a lot, considering the train delays hehehe...

The CAB is really the only option I might not try for now, joko, because I was approved already to be a volunteer there, but right now I'm volunteering in other things, so it's too much of volunteering, now I need some quids coming to my pocket!

I will try your other suggestions, though, wish me good luck!! And again, thank you both very much!