How To Become A Family Lawyer In Croydon

Choosing to become a family law lawyer is a highly commendable decision. This career path offers a fulfilling and impactful profession that involves guiding individuals through some of the most difficult and life-changing moments they may experience.

As a family law solicitor, your role is not only to provide expert legal advice, but also to offer emotional support and ethical guidance to your clients. This field is intellectually stimulating as you navigate complex legal issues and cases, but it also presents opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others. By choosing to become a family law lawyer, you are committing to a career that is both rewarding and meaningful.

But how do you get from there to here?

Becoming a family lawyer is a challenging journey that requires grit and unwavering commitment. As highlighted in Stowe Family Law's guide to becoming a family lawyer in Croydon, this profession demands hard work, devotion, and dedication. A family lawyer is expected to possess the necessary skills and knowledge to handle intricate cases and effectively navigate clients through difficult times.

Despite the challenges, the profound satisfaction of making a difference in people's lives is well worth the effort. For those with a passion for helping families in need, embarking on a career as a family lawyer is a path worth taking. With perseverance and determination, one can reap the rewards of being a trusted advocate and source of guidance for those who need it the most.

Why Choose Croydon?

Croydon, London is one of the most up-and-coming locations to live in the UK. With its close proximity to London and highly affordable housing prices, it's no surprise that more and more young professionals and families are flocking to this south-west London suburb. However, there's far more to Croydon than just its appealing property market.

The area boasts a thriving local arts scene, excellent schools, and plenty of green spaces, making it a perfect place to live and raise a family. Commuting to central London takes just 15 minutes via the excellent transport links, while the nearby high street offers many shopping and cultural attractions. All of these factors combined make Croydon the ideal destination for anyone seeking a convenient and comfortable lifestyle in London.

Why Choose Croydon For a Career in Family Law?

Croydon is a prime location for solicitors who are passionate about their work in family law. The borough boasts a plethora of opportunities for legal aid and consultation services dedicated to family law. An area of particular note is Croydon's Children's Services.

It is a well-resourced department that addresses the needs of children in the area, especially those who are mistreated or vulnerable. The establishment's legal and social workers are keen on giving children a voice in parent-child contact, legal representation, and court-liaison. If you're looking to focus on family law as your career, Croydon is the perfect place to start.

Why Choose Family Law as a Career?

For those who have a passion for helping others and a strong interest in the legal system, a career in family law may be the perfect fit. Family law is a challenging yet gratifying field that allows you to make a real difference in the lives of your clients. As a family lawyer, you will serve as a valuable ally for individuals navigating the complex web of legal proceedings pertaining to divorce, child custody, and domestic abuse cases.

Your role will be to provide guidance and support, representing your clients in court and helping them find solutions that benefit their overall well-being and that of their families. If you're looking for a career where you can use your skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact, family law could be the ideal path for you.

Qualifications needed to become a Family Lawyer in Croydon

Educational

Becoming a lawyer has never been more attainable thanks to the plethora of educational pathways available. While GCSEs and A-Levels are still basic prerequisites, many law firms now offer the Legal Apprenticeship program as an alternative route. This program is ideal for students who have completed their A-Levels but haven't finished their degree.

Through the Legal Apprenticeship program, aspirants can gain practical experience and earn a qualification while studying. This option allows flexibility in education without sacrificing the quality of the training given. With this program, individuals can enter the legal profession with industry skills and on-the-job training, making them more competitive and confident in their profession.

A career in law requires dedication and hard work, and there are multiple pathways to success. For those interested in becoming Chartered Legal Executive lawyers, a minimum of five years of education and practical experience is required. Another option is to earn a bachelor's degree, attain certified qualifications, and undergo training. This pathway requires simultaneous studying and practical experience and typically takes around six years to qualify. Whichever route is chosen, depth of knowledge and relevant practical experience is highly valued in the legal industry. Through tenacity and commitment, those who embark on any of these paths can achieve success in this rewarding and challenging field.

Professional

Aspiring lawyers can now celebrate with the recent approval by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of a new pathway towards becoming a practicing solicitor. With this development, individuals looking to enter the legal profession can achieve their goal in five years without certain degree requirements.

This pathway involves completing a bachelor's degree in any field, two years of continuous work experience, and both phases of the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations. This exciting change presents a more flexible approach for those wishing to pursue a career in law by allowing them to gain valuable work experience in their desired field while still meeting the necessary requirements to become a practicing solicitor. This new pathway offers a great opportunity for anyone looking to embark on a career in law.

The legal profession has long been known for its strict and rigorous educational requirements. However, a new approach has emerged that promises to revolutionise the way lawyers are trained and evaluated. As of late, the SRA has introduced new character and suitability requirements that must be met by prospective lawyers. In turn, this has led to the elimination of traditional GDL, LPC, and PSC courses and the introduction of two standard tests that will more effectively measure a candidate's abilities and competencies.

This innovative approach is being met with a great deal of anticipation and speculation, as it is expected to have a significant impact on the future of the legal profession. With these changes, we can look forward to a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible legal industry that better reflects the needs and expectations of modern society.

Local Universities and Law Courses near Croydon

Kingston University

“We recognise that in the competitive legal world, graduates need to be more rounded than ever. Our LLB with Professional Experience delivers all the benefits of a conventional Law degree, and a lot more.”

You'll graduate with legal knowledge, applied skills, and work experience that is highly valued by employers.

London Metropolitan University

“The LLB (Hons) is a degree that enables you to explore a diverse range of optional subjects while meeting the Qualifying Law Degree requirements for training as a solicitor or barrister.”

Throughout your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to gain relevant experience while studying through legal work placements, mooting, and pro bono opportunities. You'll also be eligible to join the Law Mentoring Programme, where you'll be paired with postgraduate London Met mentors in order to obtain support in relation to personal and professional development, selecting career paths, acquiring work experience and commercial awareness, and writing CVs and cover letters.

Family Law Work Experience

Family law is a challenging and complex field, and for potential employers, experience is key. Demonstrating your knowledge and commitment to the industry through practical work experience is vital in showcasing your understanding of the complexities and rewards of practicing family law.

Opportunities such as participating in university essay contests, shadowing a family lawyer during a small pupillage, or marshalling for a judge during a family court hearing, provide valuable insight into the workings of the industry and offer an opportunity to display your passion for family law. With experience gained from such opportunities, you will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle complex family law cases and deliver successful outcomes for your clients.

Expected Salary for a Family Lawyer in Croydon

According to Indeed data, the average salary for a Family Lawyer in the UK is £41,796 per year, though this will vary depending on location and the business you work for.

Wages for recently trained solicitors vary across the UK and can range from £26,000 to £55,000, with London City businesses paying the highest average salary.

In Croydon, the average salary for a Family Law Lawyer is £58,471 (9% above the national average).

Workers in the legal profession earn some of the best wages in the country, with many businesses offering significant salaries and bonuses regardless of specialisation.

What Cases You May Work on

• Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements
• Child maintenance orders
• Divorce cases
• Child custody cases
• Domestic violence cases
• Divorce settlements
• Financial settlements
• Civil partnership dissolution

Finding a Speciality in Family Law

Family law is an area of law that encompasses a variety of complex and emotional legal issues that arise within families. Some examples include divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence. 

As a practitioner in this field, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your clients' lives and guide them through some of their toughest times. However, it is important to choose a specific area of focus in family law to establish yourself as a trusted expert and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the law. By honing your expertise in a particular subfield, you can provide more insightful and effective counsel to your clients.

Visiting Stowe Family Law divorce lawyers Croydon

Phone: 02031 319299

Email: [email protected]

You can call us from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that all in-office appointments are by pre-arrangement only.

Our team of family lawyers are based out of the Lansdowne Building located on Lansdowne Road next to the Premier Inn in Croydon town centre. The Lansdowne Building is located just two minutes’ walk from the trains and trams at East Croydon station.

The Lansdowne Building
2 Lansdowne Road
Croydon
CR9 2ER