How To Become A Family Lawyer In Wigan

Becoming a family law lawyer offers the opportunity to make a meaningful and significant impact on people’s lives. In this profession, you will have the responsibility to help individuals traverse through some of the most difficult periods of their life. As a family law lawyer, you will provide legal advice, ethical guidance and emotional support to your clients. You will be able to use your knowledge of the legal system and procedures to provide them with options and alternatives that meet their needs.

Additionally, when necessary, you can represent them in court or negotiate solutions outside of court such as mediation or arbitration. This is also an excellent way to contribute to your community, by securing rights of children, spouses and other parties involved in each individual case while enforcing local legislation pertaining to family law topics.

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 Wigan. Becoming a family lawyer is a challenging and demanding career path, however it offers worthwhile gratification and lasting success. As a family lawyer, you are granted the opportunity to assist families coping with complex circumstances every day.

If you prioritise hard work, devotion to your clients, and have dedication to delivering superior service then cultivating fruitful partnerships that promise favourable outcomes for those in need of legal support can be achieved. Ultimately, becoming a family lawyer can not only give you the sense of satisfaction through helping others but it has long-term advantages as well.

Why Choose Wigan?

Living in Wigan is an exciting and rewarding experience that offers unparalleled opportunities for growth. Located in the Greater Manchester area of North West England, the town is just a short 20-minute drive from Manchester and Liverpool, cities renowned for their sports, entertainment, culture and history. With a population of more than 82 thousand people, Wigan maintains a vibrant community atmosphere with plenty of places to visit such as Trencherfield Mill Heritage site and Leigh Centurions Rugby League Football Club. Residents benefit from excellent transport links around the region via road, rail and bus services as well as fast internet service making it easy to stay connected with friends and family around the world.

Why Choose Wigan For a Career in Family Law?

Wigan is an excellent location for aspiring family law lawyers to practice due to its strong legal presence, its wealth of industry connections, and its rich history of public service. The area boasts a well-established court system equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that provide a high level of support to busy legal professionals. The proximity of multiple major metropolitan areas gives practitioners access to networking opportunities and research libraries. Wigan's tradition of philanthropy and civic engagement makes it an attractive place for those wishing to make meaningful contributions in their field. By choosing Wigan as a location for their family law practice, solicitors can benefit from the region's outstanding infrastructure and abundant resources.

Why Choose Family Law as a Career?

Family law is an extremely rewarding and challenging field of law that requires a deep understanding of people and their needs. Lawyers who practice in this legal area are often faced with emotionally tumultuous cases, such as divorce proceedings or establishing child custody. For solicitors who prefer to help individuals resolve tough family matters, family law can provide the opportunity for meaningful work.

By taking on these types of cases, lawyers can make a difference in the lives of their clients and help them secure the best possible outcome. Those choosing to pursue this area of expertise will benefit from its various specialty areas which can add a great deal of depth and complexity to the profession. The ever-changing landscape also provides constant opportunities for growth and learning. As a result, family law can be an excellent career choice for those looking to help others while simultaneously enriching their professional lives.

What Qualifications are Needed to Become a Family Lawyer in Wigan

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

The University of Manchester

“Study at a globally recognised institution that brings together research-informed study and practice-led approaches to law”

“Our degree supports you in entering the legal profession as a barrister through an award recognised by the Bar Standards Board, or in taking your first steps towards qualification as a solicitor through our collaboration with BARBRI to prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam after you graduate”

University of Liverpool

“Liverpool Law School is one of the oldest law departments in the UK. We are committed to contributing, through the excellence of our research and policy work, to critical exploration of the role of law in promoting social justice. We strive for social relevance. And we influence public debate and policy at the local, national, European, and international levels”

University of Salford

“Our goal is to prepare you for a fulfilling life and professional career. Along the way, you’ll learn to be curious, adaptable and confident, ready to meet the digital, ethical and sustainability challenges of the 21st century”

“Combining an intellectually challenging curriculum with an industry focus, the LLB Law course at Salford Business School gives you a grounding in the key concepts of law while preparing you for a high level legal career”.

Work Experience

Experience is crucially important when applying for and attending interviews for family law employment. Employers look favourably upon applicants who demonstrate their knowledge and passion in the field by way of formal work experience at a firm that specialises in family law. Competition in university essay competitions with titles related to the field, working as a small pupillage shadowing a family lawyer on one of their cases, or marshalling a judge at a family court hearing.

All these activities can provide you with the necessary insight into what is involved to be successful in this field and would undoubtedly make you an attractive candidate for an employer seeking those with the necessary abilities and qualifications for a role within family law.

Expected Salary for a Family Lawyer in Wigan

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 Wigan, the average salary for a Family Law Lawyer is £32,917 (22% 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

• 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

Working in the area of family law can be a rewarding career for many, but it is important to take time to explore the various types of cases in order to find your speciality. With experience comes a broadened understanding and knowledge of the field, allowing solicitors to gain proficiency in handling certain cases or legal matters. By doing so, lawyers can become highly sought after for their expertise and build up a successful practice within family law.

Visiting Stowe Family Law divorce lawyers Wigan

Check out the Wigan Family Law Lawyers page on the Stowe Family Law website, here you will find information about what a family law lawyer in Wigan’s responsibilities may be and what kind of things you may expect from working towards a family lawyer career in Wigan.

Stowe Family Law’s Wigan office is located in Unity House, Westwood Park, Wigan, WN3 4HE.

The office is situated just south of Wigan town centre, accessible by road from Westwood Way (A49) with plenty of on-site parking available.

We also have offices in Central Manchester, Stockport, Altrincham and Wilmslow.

Our phone lines are open from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.