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Career prospects for Indian lawyers in the UK

January 4, 2024

1995

This article is written by Adv. Priyanka. It is an exhaustive article shedding light on the career prospects of Indian lawyers in the UK, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that they may encounter.

It has been published by Rachit Garg.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Have you watched ‘The Courtroom’ or ‘The Jury’ and imagined yourself stepping into a prestigious UK law firm or as a barrister arguing before the judges of the UK?

The United Kingdom is known for its prestigious legal system, and it provides tremendous opportunities for Indian lawyers. Although setting foot in a leading firm, a barrister’s chambers, or as an in-house counsel can be a little cumbersome in the beginning. However, having the right approach, like the necessary educational qualifications, strong communication skills, a zeal for understanding the United Kingdom’s legal framework, etc., can pave a smoother path to becoming a part of the UK legal system.

Growing trend of Indian lawyers seeking opportunities in the UK legal industry

In recent years, globalisation, liberalisation, and privatisation have not only increased the interconnection between the nations with respect to culture, tourism, and trade but also with respect to livelihood. In the present time, more individuals are showing interest so as to work abroad. Earlier, the trend of globalisation was mostly seen in the industrial sector, but gradually the liberalisation and globalisation trend shifted, and the industrial sector was joined by the service sector in terms of job openings for foreign applicants.

Following this, the education sector predominantly took a liberal approach and opened itself to globalisation. Students from across the globe have access to various universities in different countries. One sector that has always been looked upon as a personal and exclusive area for every country is the legal sector. The law of the land for each and every country is different and exclusive. No country teaches the law of the land of another country. Due to the exclusiveness of the field, it was very difficult to globalise the legal sector. But because the law is interconnected with every field, be it industry, service, education, trade, or simply the rights and duties of a person living on foreign soil, the globalisation of this sector was always foreseen.

The legal field is always parallel to the other fields and when the other sectors became a significant part of the globalisation, privatisation, and liberalisation trend, it was not a far-fetched idea that the legal sector would also be part of this trend. The growing trend in India, which showcases the rapid interest of lawyers in working abroad, is the perfect example of the same. The prime choice of Indian lawyers is to work in the United Kingdom (hereinafter referred to as the U.K.). There are many reasons, but some of the most significant ones can be:

The U.K. has both types of options, i.e., civil law and common law.
India has developed its legal system partly with the help of the U.K. legal setup.
The U.K. has language flexibility of English which is comparatively easy for Indian lawyers as compared to other European countries.
Ease of searching and getting jobs for legal professionals from India, even if they are not well versed with the law of the U.K.

Above all of this is the interconnectivity of the legal terms and policies with the growing trend of the countries to develop their economies through their businesses and industries, along with their technological advancements. India and the U.K. have been connected long before the colonial period. To date, this connectivity has been maintained.

Booming areas of practice in the UK for Indian lawyers

The ample opportunities and the chances of succeeding in establishing a livelihood abroad are way more significant in the U.K. than in European countries. Getting a specialisation in certain laws of the U.K. can ascertain the chances of success by one hundred percent. Some of these fields that require specialisation are:

Real estate laws

The property-related laws and any type of construction on any land have always been subject to various legal procedures and sanctions. Both in India and in the U.K., the laws on real estate, whether business-related or private, have been developed and thoroughly practiced over the years.

Banking laws

The area that governs the financial sector in the legal field is one of the major specialisations offered. As typical as it is in the nature of lawsuits, one can be assured of the complexity in the nature of legal proceedings on any type of banking-related laws, be it taxation, scams, frauds, etc. It always requires expertise, which is in high demand in the U.K.

Laws on employment

If we talk about the law of the land of any country, the laws governing the rights of employees and employers have always been a part of it. But in the era of globalisation, it has become a rising transnational field. When two entities from different countries are coming together to work, it is always important to determine the legal jurisdiction in case of any kind of conflict and the governing rules in case any dispute arises.

Intellectual property laws

This is one of the legal fields that has always been an international matter, and the protection of intellectual property, be it copyright, patent, etc., or the contract of sale and purchase of intellectual property between two global entities, has always been the focus of the countries. Innovations and discoveries will always be an inherent part of being human, and so the demand for their legality and other issues will always be there in national and international markets.

Laws on public administration

Though this is primarily a domestic law and differences can be openly pointed out in the laws of different countries with respect to the laws governing the administration of the country, a specific specialisation on this law with respect to any other country can open up career prospects for an individual in that country regarding the legality of the governance of public and public administration.

Laws on Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions are a booming legal sector. The acquisition of Nielson Holding Plc by Elliot Investment Management and Brookfield Business Partners, a merger between Vodafone and CK Hutchison, and many such mergers and acquisition transactions are perfect examples of the emergence and development in these laws and how a specialisation can be fruitful to make a career in this field in the U.K.

Corporate and commercial laws

This is also one of the most dominant fields in the legal sector in which lawyers aspire to make a career. And proper specialisation in these laws can lead to the professional success of a person as a lawyer. The cross-border laws that deal with the companies, the contacts they make, the products they launch, and any internal and external issues have been a huge scope for legal practice in the past few decades, and the trend doesn’t seem to stop. Many corporate lawyers of Indian origin have successfully established themselves in the U.K., having a vast clientele that ranges from start-up companies to multinational establishments.

Insolvency laws

The bankruptcy and insolvency of any venture, be it in India or the U.K., can have the involvement of the government or private institutions. Also, the winding-up process in itself is an intricate matter. So it is always preferred by governmental organisations or private organisations to have someone with fine expertise and specialisation in these laws so that a smooth and effective winding up can be carried out. The specialised legal professional on this matter will also be ensuring that there is no unwanted delay in the procedures and that a timely liquidation is always cost-friendly.

Technology laws

In today’s world, where Artificial Intelligence has become a major part of individual life as well as that of corporations, it is evident that this requires legal scrutiny along with the redressal of any kind of legal dispute arising due to it. This is one of the areas that require special and specific knowledge on the subject, and any specialised professional with an accurate knowledge of these laws has a high prospect of succeeding in this hot emerging field.

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

The out-of-court settlement has always emerged as a winner when it comes to ventures choosing it or legal proceedings. The time and economic-friendly way of resolving any kind of dispute between commercial entities or corporations and private individual disputes has always been preferred and never goes out of demand or fashion. As it is favoured to a high extent, the demand for expertise and knowledge on ADR, be it arbitration, conciliation, negotiation, or any other form, is always in the market, and the U.K. legal market is not an exception to this.

Other emerging laws

Apart from the above-discussed areas, there are certain new areas that have emerged in the past few decades in the international legal sector. These laws provide new and successful career prospects to foreign nationals who wish to practice law abroad. Some of these laws are environment laws and other related laws, entertainment laws that govern the entertainment industry, sports laws, etc. Specialisation in any of these laws will open various career prospects for legal professionals in the European legal market, including that of the U.K. Though these are known as emerging fields, that does not mean that they have less competition and are financially more lucrative than any of the other legal fields. Also, it requires the same amount of dedication to gain knowledge and experience in these particular laws.

Career paths for Indian lawyers in the UK

There is a 90% chance that when you read the heading, you must have thought of solicitors and barristers. Well, that’s fair, but there are many other career paths in the UK legal market. But before reading the career paths, have a quick look into the qualification levels, which might be needed if you want to choose any of the paths mentioned below:

Solicitor

Talking about this path (which most of you must have thought!), a solicitor is a legal professional who gives legal advice and support to clients. You will be working behind the court and will not be arguing in the court (because that’s the job of a barrister)! But wait! You can’t be a solicitor in the UK until you clear the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This mandatory examination has been made a requirement since September 2021.

Essential qualifications

To qualify through the SQE route, you’ll need to:

Possess a degree( law or non-law)
Successfully pass SQE 1 and SQE 2 assessments
Have a minimum 2 years of qualifying work experience
Show that you are of satisfactory character and suitability

What does SQE involve

The SQE exam is divided into two parts – SQE 1 and SQE 2.

SQE 1

You can appear for the SQE 1 exam after you have completed your graduation. Your functional legal knowledge will be tested in two exams, each comprising 180 Multiple choice questions lasting five hours and six minutes. The exam will be conducted on the computer at once.

The first exam (FLK-1) will cover:

tort
contract
constitutional and administrative law
EU law and legal services
business law
dispute resolution
legal system of England and whales

The second exam (FLK-2) will cover:

trusts
property practice
land law
solicitors account
criminal law and practice
wills and administration of estate

You can join Lawsikho’s ‘Crack the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE1)’. Online live practice sessions, over 1000 practice MCQs, personal mentoring sessions, and doubt-clearing sessions will be provided as part of this course. It is one of the best courses that will help you in the following ways”

You will be able to understand and adopt the techniques of ‘Divide and Learn’ and ‘What to learn and what to leave’.
You will be able to manage time effectively at the time of your examination
You will learn how to study the exhaustive syllabus smartly

SQE 2

To appear for SQE 2, you need to pass SQE 1. This assessment will comprise 16 tests, including four oral skill assessments and 12 written ones, testing your practical legal skills, which include advocacy, legal research, writing and drafting, analysing case matters, client interviews, and attendance note/legal analysis.

The practical contexts assessed are:

criminal litigation
property practice
business organisation rules and procedures
wills and intestacy
probate administration and practice
dispute resolution

Route for Indian lawyers to become a Solicitor in the UK

There are two routes for Indian lawyers to become a Solicitor in the UK:

LLM legal practice ( SQE 1 & 2)

Through this course, you can prepare for SQE 1 & 2 as well as enhance your skills, which are required by law firms. The LLM Legal Practice route is a professional-focused route that will enhance your legal knowledge and skills that are required to pass the SQE. Additionally, it will also help you to prepare for practice before your qualifying work experience.

Once you have successfully completed this course, including both SQE 1 and SQE 2 assessments, you will achieve an internationally recognised master’s qualification.

SQE preparation courses

These courses will provide you with legal knowledge as well as practical legal skills, which will be beneficial for you to pass the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.

SQE 1 preparation course

This course will be fruitful in the preparation of SQE1 assessments. Additionally, this course will also help you prepare for Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) as a trainee solicitor.

SQE 2 preparation course

This course will help you prepare for the SQE 2 assessment, which will test your practical skills in advocacy, legal research, writing and drafting, case analysis, and client interviewing.

You can choose either of the routes for preparation for the SQE1 and SQE 2 assessments. You need to clear both assessments and have at least 2 years of QWE before you qualify as a solicitor.

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)

This is similar to what you can call training! You can complete your QWE with up to four different legal employers, and it is concluded by a legal employer who must be a solicitor or a compliance officer.

Now, you must be wondering what type of work will qualify as QWE. The work will include time spent as a paralegal or working in a law clinic, placements while studying for your degree, and even working with a law firm for two years.

Once you have successfully completed your QWE, now is the time to apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to be admitted as a Solicitor.

Average income

The average income of a Solicitor ranges between £ 25,000 ( fresher) – £ 100,000 (for experienced professionals).

Barrister

Good communication skills, dedication, and lots of hard work are the only three things that you need to choose this career path in the UK. This is one of the most challenging and dynamic career options! Also, 12 weeks before starting your vocational course, you should become a member of the Inn of Court.

Stages of becoming a Barrister

The three main stages of becoming a barrister in the UK are:

Academic

An undergraduate degree in law or an undergraduate degree in a non-law subject along with a conversion course like a Graduate Diploma in law.

Vocational course

Next, you need to complete a vocational course, which trains you about the practical skills and knowledge that are needed to become a barrister. So there are different ways in which you can complete your vocational course-

You can choose a full-time 1-year course or a part-time long period course or
You can split the course into two parts, involving self-study in one part or face-to-face teaching for both parts or
A longer course which includes a vocational course along with an undergraduate degree in law.

Once you have passed your vocational course, you will have to undertake a training course provided by your INN to be “Called to the Bar”. This is a graduation-style ceremony where you will formally become a barrister, but you can’t practice until you complete pupillage. The training sessions will include residential training weekends, skill-based workshops, online seminars, or attending lectures.

Pupillage

The last stage is where you need to successfully complete practical training known as Pupillage, which can be completed at the chamber or with an approved organisation. Don’t worry, you need not start this immediately after the completion of the vocational course! You can start it anytime but before the completion of the vocational course. You will be working under pupil supervisors-barristers.

To complete pupillage, it will take you 12 months (or 24 months in case you choose part-time). These 12 months are further broken into 6 months each wherein the first six months are non-practicing and the next six months are the practicing months.

Average income

The average income of a Barrister is between £ 17,152 ( fresher) – £ 200,000 (for experienced professionals).

Barrister Clerk

If you don’t have good contacts in the UK, you may consider this career path, as this position will not only allow you to work independently but also help in building contacts in the legal industry. Wondering how? The work of a barrister clerk is to schedule meetings/court appointments, file and prepare documents, coordinate with clients, and do other administrative work. Additionally, if you are from a legal background, you can help the barrister in legal cases and you will be meeting various other barristers/solicitors/clients which can immensely help you in building networks.

Average income

The average income of a Barrister Clerk ranges between £ 20,000 (fresher) – £ 40,000 (for experienced professionals)

Chartered legal executive

The role of a chartered legal executive is just like that of a solicitor. A chartered legal executive works for a legal firm, gives advice and prepares documents for their clients. The job profile is not restricted to only law firms; you can also work as an in-house counsel in the legal department of a company.

If you are a fresher and have less experience, you will be beginning your career as a trainee legal executive, wherein you will be under the supervision of a senior executive and learning the necessary skills required. Further, as you gain experience, you will become a chartered legal executive and will be handling your own clients and managing the work individually.

Educational qualification

All you need is your law degree or graduate diploma in law and if you don’t have a law degree, then you need to do:

Graduate fast track diploma
Three years of qualifying employment under a barrister, solicitor, senior chartered legal executive, or licensed conveyancer

Average income

The average income of a Chartered Legal Executive ranges between £ 17,000 ( fresher) – £ 60,000 (for experienced professionals).

Bailiff

Bailiffs are court officials who collect debts or give notices, summons, and court documents. They can also be called enforcement agents.

You can get a job as a bailiff either by:

Apprenticeship

Before getting a job you can do a credit control and debt collection specialist advanced apprenticeship which will give you the necessary knowledge and experience required in this career.

Direct Application

By this we mean, you can directly apply for jobs without doing an apprenticeship. You will be trained by your employer.

To work as a bailiff for courts you might need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and maths.

Bailiff General Certificate

This certificate is mandatory if you want to start collecting debts from someone on your own. To get the certificate, you need to:

Have knowledge about bailiff law
Give the court a £10,000 bond
Get two references
Prove judge that you are a ‘fit and proper person’ and don’t have any criminal record or debt.

In case you do not have this certificate, you will have to work under someone who has a bailiff general certificate.

Training

Learn the necessary skills and knowledge by doing training at:

Additionally, you will need to pass enhanced background checks to qualify as a bailiff.

Roles and responsibilities

Your day-to-day roles and responsibilities will be (but not limited to):

Visiting and writing to people who owe money, asking for payment
Arranging for people to repay what they owe
Giving the court documents
Keeping updated and accurate records
Taking items and arranging to sell them at auction
Attending court to ask permission to enter properties

Average income

The average income of a Bailiff ranges between £ 18,000 (fresher) – £ 40,000 (for experienced professionals).

Legal Secretary

Another career path that Indian lawyers can choose in the UK is legal secretary. Your major work will be to support the legal executives and lawyers.

All you need to do is successfully complete the Legal Secretaries Diploma Course offered by the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs.You don’t need any prior experience in law to enrol in this course. There is no examination in this course, but you will be assessed by the coursework that will be given after each unit.

This course will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical experience, which will help you secure a job and enhance your skills. Additionally, you will be able to enhance your work processing skills through legal document production, completing legal forms, and typing professional correspondences. Furthermore, you will be learning about family law, criminal law, law of contracts and torts, wills, probate and administrative law, corporate and commercial law, general legal procedures, the English legal system, civil litigation, and key legal secretarial skills.

The classes of this one-year course can be studied:

Online by distant learning

You can complete the course at your own pace. The course fee is £600.

Through live online classes

The online live classes are held once a week for 12 weeks in the evening via Zoom. The course fee is £700.

By attending the evening classes at Regent’s University in London in the evening, once a week for 12 weeks. The course fee is £800.

Roles and responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

delivering and collecting documents
dealing with clients
handling confidential information
preparing court forms and statements
making appointments
updating diary
record keeping

Average income

The average income of a Legal Secretary ranges between £ 20,000 ( in the starting) – £ 45,000 (for experienced professionals).

Coroner

This career path is for all those Indian lawyers who have a keen interest in investigating unexplained causes of death or if a person’s identity is unknown.

Roles and responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

Analysing all the facts and finding the cause of death
Collecting evidence, witness statements, and details about the death
Writing reports and making recommendations to prevent future deaths
Holding an inquest into the death
Ordering a post-mortem examination
Notifying the registrar about the death and results of the inquest (if any)

How to become a Coroner

Before applying for the position of coroner, you first need to become an assistant coroner. You need at least 5 years of experience, either as a qualified barrister or solicitor, to become a fellow Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Before choosing this career path, read the Coroner and Justice Act, 2009, and do some research about the coroner’s work and procedures.

Tip: For vacancies keep an eye on https://www.coronersociety.org.uk/announcements.

Skills and knowledge

The following are the relevant skills and knowledge required to become a Coroner:

Detail oriented
Cooperative and must be able to work in a team
Compassionate about work
Able to think logically
Good legal knowledge
Patient
Can easily handle stressful situations
Good written and communication skills
Knowledge of computer

Average income

The average income of a Coroner ranges between £ 85,000 ( in the starting) – £ 135,000 (for experienced professionals).

Court legal advisor

To become a court’s legal advisor, you must have passed the stages of solicitor or barrister training. You will be able to start your career as a trainee legal advisor and have to complete a training program of 2 years.

Roles and responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

Organising the court hearings
Doing legal research
Give advice to the magistrate on law (when asked)
Making sure that the evidence is ready for the court
Help the magistrate as and when required in making decisions.

Average income

The average income of a court legal advisor ranges between £ 21,000 ( in the starting) – £ 41,000 (for experienced professionals).

Trademark Attorney

If you are passionate about trademarks or patents, then you should choose this as your career path.

Roles and responsibilities

Your roles and responsibilities will be (but are not limited to) :

Carrying out a search to check the trademark availability
Handle renewals of existing trademarks, transfer of licencing, and ownership
Advise on intellectual property issues like trademarks, trade designs, etc.
Take action if the trademark is breached

How to apply

For Indian lawyers who want to pursue their career as trademark attorneys, an application should be sent to the Head of Registration at IPReg’s address or by email to [email protected] in writing under the prescribed application form along with:

Self-assessment against the relevant competency framework

Indian lawyers who want to choose the career path of trademark attorney need to meet the competency criteria as laid down by the Competency Framework for Patent Attorneys.

IPReg, if considers necessary, can direct:

To pass the qualifying examination as prescribed under Rules for the Examination and Admission of Individuals to the Registers of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 2011.
Do a supervised practice in the UK or any other place as they deem fit
Do training on any number of areas as specified in the IPReg.
Do any other activity or provide any other evidence or information as specified by IPReg.

Evidence of English language competence

English language competence is one of the most important criteria for pursuing this career, and therefore you need to submit evidence of competence in the English language by:

showing that your degree was taught in the English language and is equivalent to a UK Framework for Higher Education Level 6 degree; or
passing an English language assessment, which is equivalent to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), Level 2, wherein you have been assessed on your reading, writing, listening, and speaking ability.

Practice information

You will need to provide the following details in the application:

Whether you will be living and practising in the UK or anywhere else
Whether you will be practising under a supervised attorney registered by IPReg.
Whether you will be providing IP service to the public or will be working in-house
Whether you will be setting your own practice.

Application fees

The application fee for Indian lawyers to become trademark attorneys in the UK is £560.

Average income

The average income of a trademark attorney ranges between £ 25,000 ( in the starting) – £ 90,000 (for experienced professionals)

Judge

Unlike India, you don’t have to pass any judicial examination to be eligible to become a judge in the UK.

Eligibility criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for becoming a judge in the UK:

At least 5 or 7 years post-qualification experience in law-related activities
Qualified Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or solicitor.
Either a citizen of the UK or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland at the time of applying.

Law related activities

Law-related activities include the following:

acting as an arbitrator or mediator
practising as a lawyer
advising on the application of the law
teaching law
drafting documents
carrying out the judicial function of any court or tribunal
or any other activity broadly similar to the nature of those listed above.

Application process

For applying for the position of judge in the UK, the application process involves the following steps:

When you apply through the website, you will be asked for information relating to your nationality, educational qualifications, skills and experiences, and good character. Read the Good Character Guidance from 2021 – Judicial Appointments Commission for successfully applying for a role in the judiciary.
The next step will be shortlisting the candidates, which will include telephone interviews, online tests, or a statement of suitability, CV.
The next step will be selection, the candidates who will be shortlisted will be then called for an interview round. You can be asked a situational question, strategic leadership question, or perform a role play. The candidate will be assessed on the basis of their skills, abilities, and performance.
Thereafter, a statutory consultation will be carried out as a part of the selection process. Carrying out statutory consultation is the sole discretion of the chairmans and the appropriate authorities. The main aim of conducting this is to check the competence of the candidate and his good character.
The final decision on selection is made by the Selection and Character Committee.

The selection process for one or two roles may take three to four months, and if there are more than 50 vacancies, it can take up to a year.

Roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a Judge are to (but not limited to):

hear appeals and review the decision of the lower court
write reports and give reasons for its ruling
stay up-to-date with the legal developments
take an expert opinion
pass sentence on conviction and impose penalties
listen to the arguments of the barristers, evidence from witnesses and victims

Average income

The average income of a judge ranges between £ 91,217 ( in the starting) – £ 267,509 (for experienced professionals)

Key challenges faced by Indian lawyers in the UK

There are certain challenges faced by Indian lawyers who are keen to make a legal career in the UK. These challenges may look very basic but they can prove to be highly detrimental to your goal and be a setback in your thrust to achieve a successful law career in the U.K.

Educational qualifications

Having a law degree from India along with a Bar certificate to practice in India is not sufficient to make a law career in the U.K. You need additional qualifications as well. For example, if you want to become a solicitor, you need to clear the SQE exam, and if you want to become a legal secretary, you have to successfully complete the Legal Secretaries Diploma Course. This will require significant theoretical and practical knowledge, along with monetary expenses.

Lack of practical experience

This is a corresponding challenge that is faced by Indian lawyers who envision making their career in the U.K. Practical experience in the field is one of the major requirements for getting a job in the U.K. The big legal firms in the U.K., called the magic circle firms, give special preferences and some even explicitly require some specific period of experience. The lack of experience of Indian professionals results in their failure to get jobs in the UK in legal fields.

Competition

Further, the ever-growing and ever-demanding market has many applicants who want to build their careers and have a job. And if we are talking about a country like the U.K., then this competition increases tenfold. Building your skills better than others is one task that has proved to be challenging for many Indian lawyers. This requires a great deal of strategy and thorough work on upgrading your personality.

Networking

Building your network will help you sustain yourself in the legal field in the long run. Networking not only showcases your interaction and relationship development skills but also marks an impact on your personal knowledge of the current legal trends in the national market of the U.K. and the international legal market, which will again surpass you from other applicants, new or old. Networking helps to build your expertise in your specialised field and helps you distinguish yourself from others.

Language and cultural differences

Another key challenge is the linguistic and cultural differences between India and the UK. Regarding language, there is nothing a legal aspirant can do except master the English language because it is the only mode of fluent communication in the U.K., and one cannot build a career in the U.K. without being thorough in the English language. Now, about the cultural differences, here we are not only talking about societal culture differences or religious culture differences but also work culture differences. The only possible solution for these particular linguistic and cultural challenges is to adapt in accordance with the U.K. system and trends.

Lack of knowledge about the UK legal system

This challenge is a very premature hurdle that comes in the path of every legal aspirant who wishes to make a career in the UK. Since the laws of India and the UK are different, you need to make sure you understand and have a basic idea about the U.K. legal system. Through connections, research, training programmes, and attending various related conferences and workshops, you can get accustomed to the UK legal system.

Work permits / Visa

This is a challenge that is faced by many Indian legal professionals who wish to shift to the UK and make their careers there. This is a procedural challenge and one must acknowledge the visa requirements and any type of supplemental documents required to grant you permission to go to the UK and start your career. It is a technical requirement that has only one solution, which is to acquire information and knowledge about these requisites and be prepared with the documents.

Cost of living

One of the toughest challenges has diverted the minds of several Indian aspirants who wished to work in the legal sector in the U.K. but were unable to do so due to a scarcity of funds. The cost of living in the U.K. is more expensive than in India, which we can clearly estimate from the valuation of the currencies of both nations. This is a challenge that is not easy to surpass, but if you are determined to make your legal career in the U.K., then this cannot and should not pose a hurdle that is impossible to cross. Struggle is sure, but so is the success with determination to achieve one’s goal.

How Indian lawyers can advance their careers in the UK legal industry

Moving further, once you get into the legal field in the UK, the next task will be to survive in the industry in the long run. This can be directly connected with an understanding of the landscape of the country and its competitive counterparts. A smart candidate will always be in demand, be it in any field, and will survive much longer than an average non-developing candidate. So even after being recruited, a legal professional must not stop learning about the system of profession and practice and continue to understand and implore the ever-changing and demanding dynamic legal market. Also, it is important to continuously upskill yourself with the new trends and techniques that have been upgraded in the domestic and international legal systems. By doing this, a legal professional will be able to surpass competition and will succeed in the long term in the UK. legal system.

Strategic development is always helpful, and knowing and recognising one’s strengths and leveraging them is always a strong strategy to succeed and establish yourself in the UK legal system. Researching the current legal trends on national and international horizons, keeping up to date with them, and having a thorough understanding of the latest strategies and advancements in the legal field is always helpful in establishing and growing one’s legal career.

Some of the fastest and most economical ways to ensure these catch-ups are:

Attending national and international conferences and seminars on these types of subjects or topics. This is one of the most time-efficient and cost-efficient ways to acquire knowledge on any new trend or topic and will help you surpass your competitors.
Attending international or national summits and interacting with successful national and international legal professionals can be insightful for your career.
From the very beginning of your journey in the legal field, try to build strong connections with people in the same or different fields. One may never know when your connections can be helpful in your professional growth.
Along with these, find various options that will advance your knowledge of the international legal market. This will again boost your skills and set you apart from your competitors. Building your own niche in the legal market will always add to your value in the field and recruiters will be inclined to have you on board amongst others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Indian Lawyers given recognition in the UK?

The answer is simply YES! Indian lawyers are given recognition in the United Kingdom. But this depends on various factors, including qualification, passing SQE, work experience, and English language proficiency.

I have an Indian Law degree, will it be valid in the UK?

Yes, an Indian law degree is valid in the UK subject to clearing the SQE.

What are the primary practice areas for Indian lawyers in the UK?

There are wide areas of practice for Indian lawyers in the UK like commercial law, immigration law, criminal law, family law, real estate law, banking law, environment law, healthcare law, and many more. You can choose any of the practices you are interested in or have specialisation in.

Is networking important in the UK legal industry?

Absolutely YES! Networking is very crucial for a career in the UK legal industry. It can help you build relationships with successful people, which can lead to new opportunities for you. Moreover, through networking, you get insights about the legal industry and job opportunities.

Can I enroll in the Legal Secretaries Diploma course without any legal experience?

Simply yes, to enrol in this diploma course, you don’t need any legal experience. The course will provide you with relevant legal knowledge and practical skills needed to grow as a legal secretary.

What are the SQE requirements for those who want to practise in the UK?

The requirement is a five-step route-

You need to have a degree in any subject (not necessarily law!)
Crack SQE 1 and SQE 2 assessment
Have a minimum of 2 years of qualifying work experience
Show that you are of satisfactory character and suitable.
Lastly, apply to the SRA to be admitted as a solicitor in the UK.

What challenges can Indian lawyers face in the UK?

An Indian lawyer can encounter various challenges in the UK. These challenges can be related to the adoption of the UK legal system, recognition of qualification language, cultural differences, etc.

What type of lawyers are best paid in the UK?

If you are a corporate lawyer in the UK, you will have the highest pay in the legal industry.

How much time will it take to prepare for SQE1 & 2 assessment?

Both the SQE1 &2 assessments will take you approximately 9-12 months of preparation time. You should put all your efforts and study for about 6 hours every day.

Is it hard to find a job as a lawyer in the UK?

Yes, to find a job in the UK is a little challenging task but if you have the relevant experience and knowledge you can easily grab the opportunity.

How can English be improved to succeed as a lawyer in the UK?

Some ways by which you can improve your English are by reading newspapers, taking up any online course or workshops for legal English, watching Hollywood movies or TV shows that are in English (prefer the ones with subtitles), and practice speaking English with native speakers (this can help you improve your pronunciation and fluency).

What is the passing percentage for SQE?

As per the latest SQE1 Statistical Report 2022, the passing percentage for SQE is 55-56%.

How can I stay updated on UK legal developments?

To stay updated on the UK legal developments start reading newspapers and magazines, and follow the UK government website to know the latest legal updates in the UK. Additionally, you can also attend seminars and conferences that are related to international updates. (This will also help you in networking)

Which Acts or books should I read to get an understanding of coroner work and procedure?

Below are some books, journals, and acts that should be read to have a basic understanding of the coroner’s work and procedures:

Coroners and Justice Act,2009
Ministry of Justice’s Guide to Coroner Services
The Chief Coroner’s Guidance and law sheets
The Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013
Chief’s Coroner’s Guide to the Conoers and Justice Act,2009
The Coroners (Investigation) Regulation, 2013
LAG’s Inquests (3rd .)

Key takeaways

The career prospects of Indian lawyers in the UK are promising and continuously expanding. The legal market of the UK allows Indian lawyers to bring their expertise to the country but there are various challenges like weak communication skills, financial problems, difficulty adaption to the British legal system, etc., which can create hurdles in this path. However, with determination, hard work, continuous learning, and upgrading yourself with respect to your communication skills and the British legal system Indian lawyers can easily pave their way in the UK and have a successful career.

References

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