Solicitors give legal advice to clients and also act on behalf of their clients in legal matters as necessary. Clients can include members of the public, businesses, voluntary bodies, charities and government departments.
The main responsibilities of a solicitor include:
- interpreting and explaining the law to clients, and giving advice and support
- representing clients in court
- writing letters, preparing and drafting contracts and documents, and keeping written and financial records
- researching and analysing statements, reports, legal documents and past legal cases
- meeting with barristers and opposing solicitors.
Once fully qualified, solicitors tend to specialise in a particular area of work. The main areas are:
- Corporate – advising and acting on behalf of companies and organisations in matters such as setting up new businesses, mergers and acquisitions.
- Employment law – advising on such issues as employment contracts, discrimination in the workplace and health and safety law.
- Residential and commercial conveyancing – acting for people who are buying, selling or leasing businesses, property and land.
- Litigation – acting for people who are in dispute with another person or organisation. Solicitors may be able to settle the matter out of court by negotiation, or alternatively, they may have to represent their client in court.
- Family law – advising on the law relating to relationships with partners, cohabitants and married couples and dealing with issues relating to the beginning or end of a relationship (eg marriage, divorce etc).
- Wills and probate – helping people to make a will or carry out the wishes of a deceased person according to their will. They also deal with the affairs of people who die without a will.
- Central and local government – acting for civil service and local government departments, employees, ministers and councillors. Solicitors also give advice on how the law affects the public services provided.
- Director of Public Prosecutions – examining evidence produced by the Gardaí and deciding whether a case should be prosecuted. Solicitors may also be responsible for handling prosecutions in court.
Hours and environment
Solicitors work at least 37 hours a week, but longer hours are common. The work can involve being under pressure with tight deadlines. Most solicitors in private practice work 45 to 50 hours per week. Attending social events with commercial clients and working on legal paperwork at home are both common practice, and many solicitors need to work in the evening or at weekends. For example, solicitors who practise criminal law may be called to assist at Garda stations at any time of the day or night. However, working part time is possible.
Most solicitors work in comfortable offices with good computer systems and a legal library. Travel during the working day is occasional, although some solicitors spend a large amount of time in court.
Smart dress is expected when meeting clients.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- Salaries for trainee solicitors vary considerably pending on the location and size of the firm of Solicitors and can range from €19,000 to €40,000.
- Qualified solicitors typically earn between €35,000 and €60,000 a year.
- A partner in a large firm or a head of an in-house legal department may earn well in excess of €150,000 a year.
Large legal firms may offer considerable fringe benefits (eg health insurance, contributory pension, gym membership).
Skills and personal qualities
Solicitors should be:
- confident and versatile
- able to research, absorb and analyse large amounts of information
- able to organise their own workload with little supervision
- careful and accurate
- good at explaining legal matters clearly, both verbally and in writing
- able to argue a case successfully
- capable of working under pressure to tight deadlines
- good with figures
- good at solving problems and making decisions
- tactful and sympathetic, particularly when clients are faced with distressing situations
- discreet, as information is usually confidential
- aware of opportunities to find new clients.
Getting in
Solicitors are employed throughout Ireland by firms varying in size from one or two partners to large organisations with hundreds of employees. The number of solicitors has grown overall in recent years and there are now about 20,000 solicitors practising in Ireland. Although there are plenty of vacancies, entry to the profession is very competitive as it is a popular career choice.
Entry routes
In the Republic of Ireland, it takes almost three years from start to finish to become a Solicitor. Completion of the Law Society’s Professional Practice Courses (PPC 1 & 2) plus an apprenticeship (in-house training of 24 months duration) with an approved solicitor is necessary.
The vast majority of students would first have completed a degree, though not necessarily a law degree. Most trainees without law degrees will first take some form of preparatory course to equip them with the required legal background.
There is a qualifying examination (Preliminary Examination) for non-Graduates seeking to become apprenticed. It is held once a year, is of degree standard and is restricted to candidates who are aged twenty-one years and upwards.
Useful Links:
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Law Society of Northern Ireland