Legal practice course (LPC)

The vocational stage of becoming a solicitor puts legal theory into practice.

The legal practice course (LPC) is the vocational stage of training for would-be solicitors. The course is designed to put students' academic knowledge into practice in preparation for the training contract, which is the final stage before qualification.

In 2008, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) voted to change the LPC, introducing a new structure and objectives for the course, which are to be fully implemented by course providers by September 2010. Full details of these changes can be found at www.sra.org.uk.

The LPC covers several core practice areas and develops a range of skills that are essential to practising as a solicitor. These skills are further developed during the training contract, which is usually undertaken within a solicitors' firm and typically lasts for two years. During this time trainees will experience a range of practice areas. On successfully completing the training contract and receiving your practising certificate from the Law Society you are entitled to call yourself a solicitor.

There are more LPC graduates every year than there are training contract places, making competition fierce. As such it is important to develop a broad range of skills, for example through work experience (see TARGETjobs Work Experience Law for more information), in addition to having an impressive academic record in order to secure a place.

Structure of the new LPC

The changes to the LPC introduced by the SRA have resulted in the course being split into two distinct stages: Stage 1 comprising the core practice areas and course skills and Stage 2, which is made up of three selective modules chosen by the student. These stages are separate and students now have the option to complete the different stages at different institutions and may even choose a different institution for each of the three elective modules. Full-time courses typically last one year and part-time courses over two years or more.

Students now have five years from the completion of their first assessment in which to complete the course.

Stage 1

There are three pervasive elements of the course, which are intended to be considered in the context of each of the core practice areas. These are:

The core practice areas cover the three areas of law in which every solicitor must have a basis of knowledge and understanding. These are:

• business law and practice
• property law and practice
• litigation (criminal and civil).

In addition to these are the course skills, which are necessary to practise as a solicitor. These comprise:

• writing
• drafting
• interviewing and advising
• practical legal research
• advocacy.

Stage 2

Stage 2 is made up of three vocational electives that students can select from the range available. Different institutions may have different options available, but the new structure of the LPC allows students to study each elective at a different institution if desired. It is important to select those electives that relate to the area of law in which you wish to practise and take into account the preferences of the firms you intend to apply to.

Application process

Application forms and guidance notes for full-time courses are available in October from www.lawcabs.co.uk or by post from:

LPC Central Applications Board
PO Box 84
Guildford, Surrey GU3 1YX

You are permitted to choose up to three institutions at which you would be prepared to study. You must sell yourself on the application form, giving convincing reasons for choosing a legal career, outlining your aspirations and offering evidence of your commitment to the profession. A referee is also required to vouch for your academic achievements and commitment to law.

Completed applications for full-time courses should be submitted to the Central Applications Board by 1 December 2009 for courses starting in 2010. Applications for part-time and distancelearning courses should be made directly to the relevant institution. Applications for elective modules should also be made directly to the provider.

Course ratings

The Solicitors Regulation Authority conducts monitoring visits to assess courses on a three-year cycle. Current course ratings will be based on the old format LPC. However, these should provide some insight into the quality of the course.

In the first year, providers receive a three-day monitoring visit during which assessors grade six areas of provision: teaching, learning and the curriculum; assessment; students and their support; learning resources; leadership and management; and quality assurance and enhancement. These areas are rated as ‘commendable practice’, ‘confidence in the provision’ or ‘failure to meet the required level of provision’. The provider receives a one-day pastoral visit in the second year, and submits a self-evaluation report in the third year. Summaries of all recent assessments can be found at www.sra.org.uk. This website also provides course profiles and useful facts and figures.

The final steps to qualification

During your training contract you will embark on a series of modules and electives known as the professional skills course (PSC) to be taken and completed during the two-year training contract.

The PSC consists of three core modules: financial and business skills; advocacy and communication skills; and client care and professional standards. These are intended to build on the skills and knowledge acquired during the LPC. There will also be 24 hours of tuition on elective topics, which can be tailored to firms' practice areas. The PSC's main aim is to supplement the work undertaken in a firm's departments with imaginative, practical training and instruction. It encourages trainees to use the skills they have been taught in their daily work. See the relevant section on the SRA website for more information.

Find out more about postgraduate law courses

• How to become a barrister without a law degree
• Law jobs and careers advice from targetjobs.co.uk
• Law conversion courses