Graduate Legal & Law Jobs Explained

Solicitors:

Solicitors are either employed within an organization, work for a law firm, or are in a private practice. Whatever their employment status, their job is to provide clients with legal advice, including the best course of legal action. They may also be involved in legal aid, advising the underprivileged, and can work in many areas of the law, including property, matrimony and divorce, litigation and wills and probate.

Barristers:

Barristers are legal experts, specializing in advocacy, representing their clients, whether individuals or companies, in court. They are generally self-employed, and may specialize in any one area of the law.

Paralegals:

Paralegals work in the legal profession, performing a wide range of functions, depending on the organization that employs them, but they are not lawyers. They may assist with general advice to the public, for instance at a non profit clinic, or in the drawing up of contracts. They also fulfill administrative roles, and may take on tasks such as taking witness statements.

Legal Executives:

Legal executives are qualified lawyers, with at least five years experience, who work in private practice, advising clients, with their fees being billed directly to the client. Legal executives may work in any field, including conveyance, criminal and civil law.

Conveyancers:

A licensed conveyancer works purely in the property area of law, buying and selling property on behalf of their clients, drawing up contracts and dealing with transfers, mortgages and leases. They advise clients on technical and financial implications of various deals and contracts relating to property.