Requirements to be a solicitor ?

The normal requirements for admission to a Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law course to complete the Academic Stage of Legal Education for solicitors is the award of a degree at a university in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. However, the Solicitors Regulation Authority may also recognise non-standard qualifications, e.g. degrees awarded at certain overseas universities; or degree equivalent qualifications; or professional qualifications including Membership and Fellowship of the Institute of Legal Executives or the Diploma in Magisterial Law; or non-graduate mature persons who have gained considerable experience or shown exceptional ability in an academic, professional, business or administrative field.

Students with overseas degrees or other non-standard qualifications who wish to qualify as solicitors must have obtained a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirming that the qualifications they hold meet the minimum requirements to commence their training to qualify as a solicitor before enrolling on a CPE/GDL course.

Is a solicitor needed ?

Solicitors are not the only people who can provide legal advice. Legal help may be available from:-
other professionals, for example, an accountant who can give advice on tax and company law
advice centres, such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux, housing advice centres, money advice centres, law centres
other organisations, such as trade unions and motoring organisations.

You may act for yourself in court proceedings or, if you are acting for yourself, you may have a friend or lay representative to assist you in court.