Here at Howells Solicitors, we’re always looking for talented new individuals to join our growing legal team and, in the past, have hired people of all experience levels. However, who is the typical solicitor or law student? We turned to The Law Society to find out.
The Typical Demographic of a Law Student
According to The Law Society, in the 2016/2017 academic year, 25,155 UK students applied to study an undergraduate law course in England and Wales. 17,855 of these were accepted, alongside 4,910 of 9,120 overseas students who applied.
When you break down this number further you will find that 67.5% of accepted applicants were female and 32.5% were male, whereas 36.4% were from minority ethnic groups.
How Many Solicitors Are There in the UK?
There were also 5,728 new recognised traineeships registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the year ending 31st July 2016 (the organisation charged with collecting and maintaining records of all qualified solicitors on the roll). This was 5% higher than in the previous 12-month term.
A further 6,346 individuals were admitted to the roll during the same period with the average age of these qualified solicitors being 29.4 years old. In total, that meant, as of 31st July 2016, there were 175,160 solicitors on the roll and there were 136,176 that held current practising certificates (PCs).
Let’s Get More Specific About Demographics
The Law Society also reports that the number of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) groups amongst PC holders rose 16% in 2016 – a figure that has more than doubled in the last 15 years.
The SRA has stated that 73% of practising solicitors work in English and Welsh law firms, whereas most of the rest work in-house within the public or private sectors.
Interestingly, the same report revealed that men are more likely to be solicitors working in criminal law and corporate work sectors than women. Whereas legal partners tend to be over the age of 45, with solicitors and other legal workers aged 25 to 34. 37% of older solicitor (aged 55 or over) are sole practitioners at an organisation where there are zero or one partners.
We’re Hiring!
Whether you’re newly graduated or a seasoned professional, if you’re looking for legal jobs in the South Wales area and have the qualifications and skills required to work in a fast-paced solicitors firm, you may like to view our current availabilities.
We maintain our standards by employing the highest calibre of staff and continue to abide by our philosophy of provide personal, expert and cost-effective advice to all clients.
Would you like to join Howells Solicitors? Apply online now or get in touch.
