How To Become A Family Lawyer In Durham

Are you considering becoming a family lawyer in Durham? It’s an honourable career path, and one that carries with it the potential for making real difference for community members. Whether you want to represent families facing divorce or complex child custody battles, being a family lawyer puts you at the crux of some of life's most difficult decisions.
But how do you get from here to there?

Stowe Family Law have prepared a handy guide, introducing a pathway to becoming a family law lawyer in Durham. Pursuing this career path can be an incredibly fulfilling one, allowing you to help protect and empower families through the difficult process of family legal proceedings. Here we will provide information on what qualifications and experience are needed, what type of cases you may take on as a family lawyer in Durham, and how to choose your specialism within the field once qualified. Whatever your background or current situation may be - with hard work and dedication - becoming a family lawyer in Durham could be within reach!

Why Choose Durham?

Durham, England has much to offer lawyer and law enthusiasts alike. You'll find yourself in a rich legal and cultural heritage that surrounds Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. The city boasts countless charming restaurants, cafes and pubs where you can indulge in regional specialties or your favourite drinks while enjoying conversations with friendly locals.

With its rich history, diverse architecture and stunning landscapes, Durham is a unique destination perfect for lawyer's looking to escape life's daily monotony. How could one not get inspired living in an environment like this? With many opportunities abound under the spell of British countryside comes the opportunity to truly explore an indefinable culture steeped in tradition- making it an ideal place for lawyer's looking for a place to settle.

Why Choose Family Law as a Career?

Being a lawyer is a very lucrative career path that comes with a plethora of obligations and opportunities. Family law is a particularly unique experience because it needs lawyers to assist families in navigating emotionally difficult situations while adhering to the law. Solicitors in this sector will employ their legal knowledge to help clients through difficult personal situations such as divorce processes, adoption enquiries, and child custody issues.

Family law lawyers can help families emerge from stressful situations while preserving connections to the greatest extent feasible by acting as mediators between two parties. If you're looking for a career that will allow you to make a difference, family law is an excellent choice.

What Qualifications are Needed to Become a Family Lawyer in Durham?

Educational

There are currently numerous paths to becoming a lawyer, each with its own set of educational requirements. Everyone will be required to have GCSE and A-Level qualifications (or equivalent qualifications). The new SQE route needs an undergraduate degree, followed by further professional certifications and practical training. The degree can be in any subject.

Several law companies provide Legal Apprenticeships to students who have achieved their A-Levels but have not yet completed a degree, which comprise a combination of education and experience that leads to qualification as a lawyer in around 6 years. There is also the option of becoming a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer, which requires both study and practical experience over a minimum of 5 years.

Professional

The Solicitors Regulation Authority adopted the new SQE route in September 2021. It will eventually entirely replace the conventional route and will serve as the sole way to become a solicitor in England and Wales.

You should look carefully at the courses available for your undergraduate degree to assess the extent the course they are offering will prepare you for the SQE. This may emphasise the benefit of pursuing a law degree to improve your chances of passing the SQE (as opposed to undertaking an entirely unrelated undergraduate degree).

Local Universities and Law Courses

Durham University

“Receive an award-winning legal education”.

The LLB degree is a three-year full-time programme with a lot of flexibility. While it provides a firm foundation in the core areas of English and Welsh law, it also allows for specific specialisation through a range of optional modules given by the School and other departments at the University.

93% of students are in work or further study after completing the course.

Newcastle University

“Newcastle Law School’s Law LLB Honours degree offers a challenging, intellectually stimulating and rewarding undergraduate experience. It produces competitive sought after graduates.”

Stowe Family Law are partnered with Newcastle University. Stowe offer £100 cash as part of the ‘Stowe Family Law Prize’ for stage 3 students, which honours the Best Overall Performance in Family Law by a Final Year Student.

Northumbria University

“Our award-winning Law School is one of the largest in the UK, with a national and international reputation for excellence in legal education. Our specialist degrees are designed to equip you with the legal knowledge and practical skills needed to enter a range of professional careers”.

Ranked 5th for employment of Law graduates one year after graduation.

Northumbria offers a foundational course as a kick start to a BA (hons) degree in Law.

Stowe Family Law are partnered with Northumbria University.

Work Experience

Having experience will always benefit you when applying for family law jobs and attending interviews.

Consider the following options:

Formal employment experience at a firm specialising in family law
Undertaking a mini pupillage to shadow a lawyer working on a family law case
Marshalling (shadowing) a judge hearing a family law case
Participating and winning awards in university family law essay competitions, demonstrating your interest in the field

Expected Salary for a Family Lawyer in Durham

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 Durham, the average salary for a Family Law Lawyer is £35,042 (21% below the national average).

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

What Cases You May Work on

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

Finding a Speciality in Family Law

Family Law is made up of a plethora of different sectors and cases, you may find that once you delve into the family law work, you prefer working with one area over another. For example, working with financial settlements may be your strong suit, or working with children’s cases may come natural to you; with experience you can find a specialty.

Stowe Family Law Lawyers Durham

Check out our Family Law Lawyers Durham page to find information about what a family law lawyer in Durham’s responsibilities may be and what kind of things you may expect from working towards a family lawyer career in Durham.

We’re Stowe Family Law, the only national law firm dedicated to family matters with the UK’s largest team of specialist family lawyers and an office in the heart of the city of Durham. Our Durham solicitors firm can be found at Durham Workspace, Abbey Rd, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5JZ.