Learning at Work Week 2023 - Progressing from a Paralegal to a Solicitor

‘Learning at Work Week’ campaigns to inspire employers to recognise talent within their workplace and actively promote learning and growth. At McSherry Halliday, progression is on-going in a fast-paced and hands on environment. From reception duties to paralegal qualifications, all the way through to a law degree and beyond, the firm is committed to supporting education.

The Law Society of Scotland offers paralegals across Scotland the opportunity to apply to undertake the pre-PEAT traineeship, which is an alternative route to obtaining the standard LLB law degree through university and, only a small number of candidates enter the process each year. An application can be obtained from the Society’s website and submitted together with the relevant documentation and evidence that you meet the criteria for entry. The candidate will require to undergo disclosure checks to ensure they are a fit and proper person, before the Society will grant an Entrance Certificate. Thereafter, each candidate has a period of four years from the date of their first exam to sit and pass the exams (including re-sits, but if there are no re-sits it can be completed in three years). Alongside 11 written exams there are two oral presentations and a workplace logbook, recording evidence of your learning objectives and ensuring you satisfy the Society’s requirements. Regardless of which area of law you intend to work in, all exams must be completed and exam diets are held every February and July, with around one months’ waiting time for results.

There are, of course, pros and cons in choosing between the traditional or alternative route. The alternative route allows the candidate to continue to work in their normal routine as studying is at your own pace and can be slotted into your life to accommodate other commitments. Candidates are afforded flexibility in that they can select which exams they wish to sit each time. A drawback however is that it can be quite isolating if you do not know anyone else sitting the exams. There is no tutor or study support and, at present, there is no opportunity via the Society to meet the other candidates. Financially, the alternative route is more cost effective and, practically, to further your knowledge whilst actively applying it to cases can only lead to greater client satisfaction.

After the exams and logbook have been completed, the pre-PEAT contract will be discharged and candidates thereafter require to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, before commencing a two-year traineeship, whereupon they will be sworn in as fully qualified Solicitors in Scots law. The process takes six years in total, whereas the traditional LLB approach is actually seven years if an honours year is completed.

There is no denying the alternative route requires a great deal of discipline and forward planning however, the benefits far outstrip the sacrifices made along the way. The pre-PEAT exams afford an incredible opportunity to Paralegals who want to build on the skills already developed and progress further within the legal sector.