Changing career direction

In-house solicitor

The number of in-house roles has grown significantly over the last decade.

In-house solicitors now make up a quarter of the profession.

Many organisations and sectors offer in-house legal roles, including:

• commerce and industry
• local or central government
• charities or not-for-profit organisations

In-house roles can offer a variety of legal work across a range of issues and practice areas.

You can also have opportunities to be involved in risk management and business development.

In-house roles can be more flexible than private practice and offer more work-life balance.

But some in-house counsel say they have to fight the perception that they are a cost, rather than a driver of the business.

Career progression is sometimes seen as more limited in-house, because in-house departments traditionally have a flatter structure.

But progression in-house can be better than private practice once you break into more senior roles.

Junior in-house solicitors in local government are often given high levels of responsibility early in their careers, and there are opportunities for progression and specialisation.

Joining a small in-house team or being sole counsel can be demanding and lonely.

Our In-house Network offers support and advice to in-house solicitors.

This includes networking opportunities, thought leadership and practical resources, such as our ethical practice framework for in-house solicitors.

Skills you may need to be successful as an in-house solicitor include:

• agile thinking and the ability to and distil new information
• problem-solving and critical thinking
• a commercial and strategic outlook
• communication and teamwork
• planning and organisation
• ethical decision-making
• resilience

Take our In-house Practice Diploma to help you deliver first-class legal services in-house.

Read case studies from solicitors who have made the switch from private practice to in-house roles: should I work in-house?

Search for legal in-house roles on Gazette Jobs.

Private practice solicitor

Roles in law firms offer legal services to different types of clients, from individuals to businesses.

Solicitors usually start in private practice – it may be more difficult to enter private practice further into your career if you did not complete a training contract there.

Search for roles by practice area, location or position on Gazette Jobs.

Sole practitioner

To become a sole practitioner, you must have practised as a solicitor for at least 36 months within the last 10 years and have authorisation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Read the SRA’s starter pack on becoming a sole practitioner.

Solicitor advocate

Solicitor advocates have the same rights of audience (the right to appear and conduct proceedings in court) as barristers.

To use your rights of audience in the higher courts (High Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court) you must meet standards set by the SRA.

You must also pass a rights of audience course.

Learn more about higher rights of audience.

Explore our resources and support for solicitor advocates.

Judiciary

Joining the judiciary is a great way to take on a new challenge. Depending on the role, you’ll need at least five or seven years’ post-qualification experience.

You start on a fee-paid basis. A fee-paid basis is an agreed payment for the work, regardless of the time it takes.

You can work while continuing in practice, or as a full- or part-time salaried judge.

There are several starting points:

• recorder
• deputy district judge – civil and family
• deputy district judge – magistrates’ court
• tribunals – a wide range of appointments

The selection process is competitive. If you’re submitting a judicial application, you should check out our learning resources on judiciary interview training for solicitors.

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary gives examples from days in the life of judicial office holders.

Explore our resources for solicitor judges and preparing to become a judge.