Pinsent Masons welcomes applications from both
law graduates and non-law graduates. In fact around 50% of our
trainees each year have studied subjects other than law.
However, in addition to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) that all
graduates must pass before beginning a training contract, non-law
graduates must also pass the Common Professional Examination (CPE)
or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Both the CPE/GDL and the LPC are courses that you will study at
law school and each one lasts a year. The CPE/GDL provides academic
training in the different forms of law - contract, tort etc. whilst
the LPC is the first part of your vocational training and focuses
on the skills you will need to begin working in a law firm.
More than your degree subject it is your potential as a business
lawyer, your ability to solve problems and communicate complex
ideas simply that will distinguish you.
However, the routes or timelines into a career in law vary
depending on whether you have studied law or another subject. Click
on the links below to view your timeline.
Law students' route
Non-law students' (England & Wales)
route