Law PhD’s and legal training

Question from a Careers adviser

I have been asked what the chances are for PhD students (both law and other subjects) of developing a legal career either qualifying as a solicitor or a barrister.

 Do you know of any law firms/chambers which are keen to recruit people with this type of background? From the PhD students point of view they will  clearly want that their academic studies are seen as an advantage. There are some very high powered bodies such as the Law Commission and I think some opportunities in Europe where this will be the case and I also need to find out more about these. In continental Europe and Scandinavia you need to study law for longer at to a higher academic level before you can start practising as a trainee lawyer and in the US the education requirements are higher than here too.

Answer

I have met a number of King’s PhD students who have gone on to do legal training – often with a view to specialising in IP issues. However I feel that the PhD is viewed neutrally. It suggests an ability to handle complex data and to test assertions rigorously. On the other hand it may be felt to promote a leisurely approach to problem solving at variance with the cut and thrust of legal dispute and litigation. I have no experience of Law PhD’s going on to legal training. Most people I have seen come from the other direction – from professional practice to academic research.