How To Get Work Experience For Law As a Student

Do you dream of becoming a barrister, solicitor, or even a judge? To get that all important foot through the door, you need to get some real life experience. 

The idea of getting law work experience as a student might seem impossible. But don’t worry. We’ll guide you through the types of work experience on offer and boost your chances of turning your legal work experience dream into a reality. 

Whether you're in Year 10 studying GCSEs or Year 13 getting ready to look beyond A Level study, work experience shows universities and future employers that you're serious about law. It also helps you work out if the legal world is really for you before you commit to years of study.

Forget fancy connections or high-powered suits. There are loads of opportunities out there for motivated students like you.

Key Takeaways

• Law work experience for students is a must - Both universities and employers expect you to have real legal experience, not just good grades from watching courtroom dramas.

• Loads of options available - You can do virtual programmes with big firms, shadow local solicitors, visit courts, volunteer at Citizens Advice, or join sixth form legal programmes.

• Start small but start now - Even a day shadowing or attending court hearings counts - it's about showing genuine interest and learning what lawyers actually do day-to-day.

Why Work Experience Matters for Aspiring Lawyers

Unlike other professions, work experience isn't just a nice-to-have for future lawyers – it's more-or-less essential.

Top law schools expect to see evidence that you've engaged with the legal sector. According to The Complete University Guide (opens in a new tab), admissions tutors are on the lookout for students who can demonstrate genuine interest in law beyond just watching crime thrillers and courtroom dramas.

But it's not just about ticking boxes for your UCAS application. Work experience helps you develop these transferable skills that are crucial for legal careers:

• Observing how lawyers interact with clients will help build your communication skills. 

• Critical thinking gets a workout as you see legal arguments being constructed. 

• Organisation becomes second nature when you're helping with case files or research.

And most importantly, work experience helps you decide if law is actually right for you. It's much better to discover you prefer the business side of law over criminal law now, rather than three years into your degree.

What Counts as Law Work Experience?

You might assume that law work experience means having to compete with loads of other would-be law students to secure a formal internship at a top City firm. Thankfully, this isn’t the case.

Admissions tutors and employers value any experience that gives you insight into how the law works in practice.

Formal placements at law firms definitely count. But so does:

• Shadowing a local solicitor for a day

• Attending court hearings

• Volunteering at Citizens Advice.

• Virtual work experience programmes 

• Relevant extracurricular activities to demonstrate your interest in law. Debating, Model United Nations, or helping younger students with mock trials all show legal thinking in action.

The key is showing you've actively sought out opportunities to understand what lawyers actually do day-to-day.

Types of Law Work Experience for Students

High Street Law Firms

Pound the streets or hop onto the Internet and make a list of solicitors near to where you live. Your local high street law firms are often your best starting point for work experience.

These smaller solicitors are usually more flexible about taking on school students for short placements or shadowing opportunities. They handle everyday legal issues like house purchases, wills, and family disputes – perfect for seeing law in action.

The partners often remember what it was like starting out and are happy to help the next generation.

To approach them, check their websites first to see if they mention work experience. If not, a polite phone call or email explaining you're a local student interested in law often works wonders.

Many firms prefer students who live locally because you're more likely to understand the community they serve.

Virtual Law Work Experience

If you’re keen to experience the environment of a bigger law firm, but can’t travel, virtual work experience programmes are a great option. 

• Springpod (opens in a new tab) offers virtual work experience with major law firms like TLT LLP. You could dive in and get to grips with interactive tasks, webinars, and networking opportunities.

• Forage (opens in a new tab) offers virtual job simulations that recreate real legal work. You might draft contracts, research case law, or advise fictional clients. Best of all, you get a certificate to prove your completion.

All you need is good WiFi and a laptop to access these amazing virtual programmes. You can participate from anywhere in the UK, and they often fit around school schedules.

Court Visits and Shadowing

Fancy getting to the heart of the courtroom action? Court hearings are public so you can pop down to your local courthouse to observe real life legal proceedings.

Magistrates' Courts handle local cases like minor criminal offences and licensing applications while Crown Courts deal with more serious criminal cases. Both offer fascinating insights into how justice works in practice.

You may find that your courthouse organises specific student visit days with guided tours and Q&A sessions with court staff.

And if you want to get up close and personal to a barrister, the Bar Council (opens in a new tab) offers Year 12 and 13 students a chance to shadow one for 4 days. Spend time with them inside and outside court to get a flavour of what a working week for a barrister is really like. 

Whether you’re watching a case from the public gallery or shadowing a barrister, always remember to dress smartly and arrive early. You want to create a great first impression.

Law-Related Volunteering and Charities

As an alternative to placement schemes, volunteering gives you legal experience while helping your community – a perfect combination.

• Citizens Advice (opens in a new tab) has branches across the UK and offers students the opportunity to work directly with clients. You might help them understand their rights or signpost them to appropriate legal services.

• Many universities run free legal clinics where law students provide basic legal advice under supervision. Some welcome keen sixth-formers as observers or research assistants.

• School-based activities count too. Mentoring younger students in debating or helping organise mock trials demonstrates legal thinking and leadership skills.

Programmes and Taster Days for Sixth Formers

If you’re thinking of the best way to brush up your UCAS personal statement, why not enrol on a taster day or short course? These organisations run specific programmes for students considering law degrees.

Pathways to Law (opens in a new tab) by the Sutton Trust helps students from non-traditional backgrounds and offers mentoring, work experience, and university preparation. They partner with law firms and barristers' chambers across the country.

UniTasterDays (opens in a new tab) compiles a list of universities offering taster sessions - in-person and online - to help students see what a law degree might be like. You could go on a discovery day or enjoy a series of mini lectures.

Keep checking online to see when enrolment for these taster sessions open and plan ahead.

How To Find Law Work Experience Opportunities

As a busy student, sometimes it can be hard to manage work experience too. But by having a systematic approach and taking your time, it's definitely doable. This handy step-by-step mini guide to finding law work experience for students will help:

1. Start by searching online. Most law firms have careers sections on their websites that mention work experience opportunities.

2. LinkedIn is a handy online platform for students. Follow law firms, legal professionals, and organisations like the Law Society. They often post about work experience opportunities or student events.

3. Career platforms designed for students are little goldmines. For example, (opens in a new tab)Success at School (opens in a new tab) allows you to search their law work experience listings. 

4. Don't forget about your school's resources. Careers advisers often have connections with local employers or know about opportunities that aren't widely advertised.

5. Your teachers might also have useful contacts, especially if they studied law or know former students who became lawyers.

How To Apply for Law Work Experience

Congratulations on finding the work experience opportunities you want to apply for. Now it’s time to create brilliant application. This can make all the difference, especially when opportunities are competitive. Here’s what to do.

• Send enquiry emails - keep them concise but personal. Mention why you're interested in that specific firm or organisation, not just law in general.

• Explain your future plans - what do you hope to gain from the experience and what can can you offer in return? Even as a student, you bring enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and willingness to help with basic tasks.

• Include any relevant experience - even if it's not legal. Customer service jobs show you can interact professionally with people. Debating demonstrates analytical thinking. Volunteer work proves you're committed and reliable.

• Always attach a CV - even if it feels short. Include your academic achievements, any work experience, volunteer activities, and relevant skills like languages or IT proficiency.

• Follow up politely -  if you don't hear back within two weeks. Legal professionals are busy, and a gentle reminder often helps.

Making the Most of Your Placement

Once you've secured your law work experience, get prepped. This is key to maximising the opportunity.

Do your research beforehand. Understand the organisation you’ll be working with and the type of law they practice, who their typical clients are, and any recent news about the firm.

This is your chance to see if law is right for you so ask thoughtful questions during your placement. Lawyers enjoy talking about their work, especially to genuinely interested students.

It’s a good idea to keep a daily reflection diary. Jot down what you observed, what surprised you, and what you learned about different legal careers. This material will be useful for personal statements and future applications.

And concentrate on observing how lawyers interact with clients, colleagues, and other professionals. Notice how they structure arguments, manage their time, and handle pressure. This could be you one day.

Be a memorable work experience student. Don't just watch – offer to help where appropriate. Being proactive creates such a good impression. Filing documents, researching basic information, or preparing materials for meetings all provide valuable insights into legal practice and show that you're keen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can I start law work experience in the UK?

Most law firms accept students from age 15 onwards, though some prefer Year 12 and 13 students.

Virtual programmes often have no minimum age requirement, making them perfect for younger students wanting to explore law.

Check individual requirements as they vary between organisations.

Does virtual law experience count for UCAS?

Absolutely. UCAS recognises virtual work experience as valid, especially given how common it's become. Make sure you can explain what you learned and how it influenced your understanding of law.

Virtual programmes often provide more structured learning than traditional placements, with certificates to prove your participation.

How long should my law work experience be?

Quality trumps quantity every time. A focused week of work experience where you actively engage and learn beats a month of just making tea.

Most formal programmes last 1-2 weeks. But even a single day of court observation or firm shadowing can provide valuable insights if you prepare properly and reflect afterwards.

Universities care more about what you gained from the experience than its duration.

Can I do law work experience during term time?

Many schools have specific work experience weeks, usually in Year 10 or 12. Sometimes connections with local law firms have already been made, so see if you can secure a work experience placement through your school.

Get creative. See if a local law firms needs help on a Saturday morning or ask if after-school shadowing might be a possibility.

Just be sure to always check with your school before arranging any work experience during term time.

Your Legal Career Starts Now

Getting law work experience can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but remember – every solicitor, barrister or judge once stood exactly where you are now.

You don’t need to have top grades or know someone in the profession to get started. What really matters is being curious, determined, and open to giving things a go.

That might mean sitting in on a local court case, signing up for an online work experience programme, or volunteering at Citizens Advice. Even small experiences add up and give you a clearer picture of what life in law is really like.

The key is to stay interested, grab opportunities when they come along, and not let a rejection knock your confidence. The legal world is looking for people with drive and passion from all walks of life and that could be you.

Your path into law starts with something simple, like sending off your first application or stepping into a courtroom for the first time. So why not take that step today? Each move you make brings you closer to your future legal career.

References

Study law: why and how to study (opens in a new tab)

Springpod virtual work experience (opens in a new tab)

Forage job simulations (opens in a new tab)

Bar Council placement opportunities (opens in a new tab)

Citizens Advice volunteering (opens in a new tab)

Pathways to Law (opens in a new tab)

UniTasterDays Law (opens in a new tab)