Solicitors

SRA Solicitors Regulation Authority
Law Society Represents solicitors in England and Wales and offering training and advice and a wide range of products and services to support solicitors in their practice
Lawyers in Local Government
London Young Lawyers' Group (LYLG) The LYLG works in association with the Junior Lawyers Division. All law students, trainees and solicitors up to 7 years post-qualified experience (PQE) in the London area are eligible to join - there is a modest annual fee. The LYLG organise events for members and provide a support network for lawyers during the early stages of their career
Middlesex Law The site for Brunel's nearest regional Law Society with information on local solicitors, events and vacancies
Student Ladder (Solicitors) This website has general careers information and this link will take you to an A-Z of some (not all) law firms that offer work experience programmes
Find a Solicitor Site run by the Law Society. You can search for firms by location and type of work. It may be useful for getting contacts to target 'speculative applications' for work experience and training contracts (but there is no guarantee that there'll be a vacancy)
Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society (JLD) The JLD is the community for LPC students and graduates, trainee solicitors and solicitors up to five years qualified. Scroll down the page to access the helpful Careers Webinars
Central Applications Board LPC and GDL only
Law Works Law Works supports lawyers to volunteer their professional skills to assist individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay for legal help and who are unable to access legal aid or other forms of financial assistance

Barristers

Bar Standards Board Regulates barristers called to the Bar in England and Wales and represents and supports barristers. Find out more about Bar training from this website
Bar Council General information on the Bar, including information on how to become a barrister
Find a Barrister Directory
Bar Student Applicant Service (BarSAS) Applications for the Bar Professional Training Course (“BPTC”) are made through this website
Bar Course Aptitude Test Bar students must have successfully passed the BCAT test prior to enrolling on the BPTC.
Pupillage Gateway Pupillage is the mandatory year of training that aspiring barristers are required to undertake in order to practice. All pupillages are advertised through the Gateway and you will find information about pupillage and how to apply for it
Inns of Court There are four Inns of Court and you must have joined an Inn by the 31 May in the year that you start your BPTC. The Inns of Court also offer GDL and BPTC Scholarships
The Commercial Bar Association (Com Bar) The Specialist Bar Association for
commercial barristers advising the international business community
Student Ladder (Barristers) This website has general careers information and this link will take you to an A-Z of some (not all) chambers that offer mini pupillages
Chancery Bar Information you can download about careers at the Chancery Bar. The Chancery Bar is the oldest specialist bar association and offers legal expertise across the whole spectrum of finance, property and business law

Student law guides

Legal publications

Legal 500 Industry guide to leading UK/International law firms and barristers (E&W)
Chambers & Partners Directory of UK Solicitors and Barristers
HG Legal Directories Source for international law firms and law associations
The Lawyer Online legal magazine
Counsel Magazine
Legal Week Publisher of news and analysis for lawyers in the UK – commercially focused
Law Society Gazette Law Society's magazine for its members. News and features and job vacancies - browse jobs by practice area
Legal Business Online legal magazine, commercially focused
British Journal of Criminology Leading criminology journal which publishes work from around the world and across all areas of criminology
Law in Sport Leading online international sports law publication providing expert commentary and analysis on the latest issues and legal developments in the industry.
Blue Pencil Law news/recruitment tips blog
Legal Deal Folio Website with an extensive database of deals on which major law firms have advised, so provides key information on the type of work which each particular law firm does. The website has a focus on corporate, banking and capital markets law firms

Equality and disability

Law Society Diversity Access Scheme This scheme supports outstanding individuals facing significant barriers to becoming a solicitor. Over 100 participants have benefited to date from support that covers full scholarship for the LPC, mentoring from practising lawyers and help to find work experience.
The Pegasus Access and Support Scheme The Inner Temple, in association with participating Chambers, launched this scheme to ensure that all students with the capability and determination to pursue a career at the Bar have the opportunity to undertake work experience in barristers' chambers, regardless of their background or personal networks.
SEO London The Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) programme prepares talented students from ethnic minority or low socioeconomic backgrounds for career success.
BLD Foundation The fundamental aim of the BLD Foundation is to highlight and promote diversity in law.
The Black Solicitors Network The BSN is committed to achieving equality of access, retention and promotion.
Lawyers with Disabilities Division of the Law Society The community promoting equality of opportunity for solicitors, would-be solicitors and clients with disabilities
EmployAbility Opportunities for disabled and dyslexic students & graduates
Association for Women Solicitors AWS London is a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive community for women lawyers
Association for Women Barristers This association was founded in 1991 to monitor and represent the interests of women at the English Bar
Association of Asian Women Lawyers This not-for-profit association was set up in 2001. Membership spans from Judges, QC’s, Barristers, Solicitors, Legal Executives to Trainees, Pupils and University Students
Aspiring Solicitors Primarily works to promote diversity in the profession. Events and advice offered to aspiring solicitors
Wellbeing at the Bar This group aims to provide barristers and chambers’ personnel with the information and skills they need in order to stay well and support members of the profession through difficulties that affect a barrister’s professional life
Law Care Promotes and supports good mental health and wellbeing in the legal community

Professional organisations

Citizens Advice Bureau Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice and by influencing policymakers
Law Centres Network
Prisoners Abroad Organisation caring for Britons held overseas. Jobs and voluntary opportunities are posted on the website when available
JUSTICE Student Human Rights Network Supports those studying the law who are interested in human rights by creating a lively, interactive network
Amnesty International Working to protect human rights worldwide
British Society of Criminology Aims to further the interests and knowledge, both academic and professional, of persons engaged in any aspect of teaching, research and public education about crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice systems in the UK
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies Independent public interest charity whose mission is to inspire enduring change by promoting understanding of social harm, the centrality of social justice and the limits of criminal justice
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers A not-for-profit campaign organisation, its member lawyers are dedicated to changing the law, protecting and enhancing access to justice, and improving the services provided for victims of personal injury
Immigration Law Practitioners Association Membership organisation for solicitors and barristers working in immigration law
Administrative Law Bar Association Professional association for practitioners of public law
European Law Students' Association (ELSA) UK national branch of ELSA, an independent non-political, non-profit organisation run, for and, by students. ELSA offers students a platform to develop their skills, obtain internships/work experience and meet fellow students and legal professionals in Europe
International Court of Justice Information about the International Court of Justice along with rules and publications
International Law Association Has branches worldwide. The main objectives of the Association are the study, clarification and development of both public and private international law
Court of Justice of the European Community The Court of Justice interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries and it also settles legal disputes between EU governments and EU institutions. Individuals, companies or organisations can also bring cases before the Court if they feel their rights have been infringed by an EU institution
Fulbright Commission Study in the USA
Ministry of Justice Responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy
Mountbatten Institute A key part of this programme is work based learning with practical training in the USA. Participants are placed with one of our premier host organizations in the following sectors: Finance, Law, IT, Event Management, HR, Marketing and Communications.
Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) Group of lawyers who are committed to practising in those areas of law, both criminal and civil, that have traditionally been publicly funded. YLAL members include students, paralegals, trainee solicitors, pupil barristers and qualified junior lawyers based throughout England and Wales
Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) Supporting the delivery of high quality legal services by legal aid lawyers
Howard League for Penal Reform This is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison. The legal team is the only frontline national legal team specialising in the legal rights and entitlements of children and young people in custody.
Independent Custody Visiting Association A UK organisation for local community members who check on the welfare of people in police custody, by visiting police stations unannounced
Crown Prosecution Service Responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales
Government Legal Service Their sole client is the British Government and they employ nearly 2000 lawyers and trainees to provide legal services every day across the entire spectrum of its activities
Law Commission for England and Wales The statutory independent body created to keep the law under review and to recommend reform where it's needed
Land Registry Government department which maintains the Land Register, the evidence of ownership of properties and land in England and Wales
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Professional membership organisation representing the interests of dispute practitioners

Alternative routes to practice

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Professional association for chartered legal executive lawyers. CILEx provides education, training and the development of skills for its members
Council for Licensed Conveyancers The CLC has regulated licensed conveyancers in England and Wales for over 25 years. More recently we have extended our regulatory expertise to cover other legal services including probate and Alternative Business Structures.
Institute of Barristers' Clerks (ibc) Provides current information and development of the barristers' profession
Institute of Paralegals Professional body for paralegals - set professional standards and provide recognition for those working in the paralegal sector (paralegals and legal secretaries)
National Association of Licensed Paralegals Professional body for paralegals in England and Wales, providing information on qualifications, training and career development
ISCA The Governance Institute ICSA trains, informs and represents the interests of governance professionals across all sectors
Financial Services and Insurance Target jobs information page giving ideas of different types of work and opportunities within this sector, to include Risk and Compliance, Insurance, Financial Services and Wealth Management
Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys Professional membership organisation representing the interests of over 1500 trade mark and design professionals, and fight to bring recognition to the work they do.
Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys The CIPA is the professional and examining body for patent attorneys in the United Kingdom and represents over 2000 chartered patent attorneys, whether they practise in industry or in private practice.
National Crime Agency Crime-fighting agency, working in partnership with other law enforcement organisations
Resolution at Work Includes training courses for workplace conflict resolution
UK Mediation Training, conflict mediation and conflict management
College of Mediators Includes a practitioner list and training information
Family Mediation Council
Magistrates Association Site with information about becoming a magistrate, employing magistrates, magistrates' sittings, magistrates' courts
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Civil Service (Fast Stream) Graduate recruitment programme for future leaders of the Civil Service in Britain. “Whoever you are, whatever your background, the Fast Stream is the fastest route to real leadership”
Skills for Justice Sector Council Sector Skills Council for law - custodial care, community justice, court and prosecution services, policing and law enforcement

Legal recruitment agencies and jobs boards

Career Legal Recruitment agency for legal and paralegal work
GR Law Specialist legal recruitment consultancy, recruiting lawyers, paralegals, legal secretaries and other legal support staff for law firms and in-house legal departments. Offices in London and Sydney
Hays Legal Selection of legal, paralegal and legal executive jobs
Ten-Percent Specialist legal recruitment agency
Legal Prospects Legal jobs board. Browse by location, practice area or by legal job sectors
Simply Law
Totally Legal Specialist legal recruitment agency for legal professionals

Social media accounts to follow