How To Become A Family Lawyer In Swindon

If you're considering becoming a family law lawyer in Swindon, you're embarking on a fulfilling career that has the potential to make a real impact on the lives of the families you represent. As a family lawyer, you will be entrusted with guiding your clients through some of the toughest situations they will ever face, like divorces and custody battles. Although these cases can be emotionally taxing, they provide an opportunity to help your clients move forward and establish new beginnings.

As a family law lawyer, you'll also find great satisfaction in knowing that you are contributing to the stability and well-being of families in your community. If you have a passion for justice and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others, then becoming a family law lawyer may be the perfect career choice for you.

But how do you get from here to there?

Becoming a family law practitioner in Swindon can be a rewarding career path, and Stowe Family Law has created a helpful guide to help you get started. The journey to becoming a family lawyer requires meeting certain credentials and gaining experience, but the work is worth it as it allows you to defend and empower families through their toughest times.

As a family lawyer in Swindon, you may take on a variety of cases including divorce, child custody, and adoption. Once you are certified, there are various specialisations within the field you can choose to pursue. Regardless of your past experiences, if you are determined and work hard, a fulfilling career in family law could be within your reach.

Why Choose Swindon For Law?

Becoming a lawyer in Swindon is a smart career decision for those who are passionate about the legal system and its inherent complexities. Swindon offers numerous opportunities for lawyers, including opportunities to specialise in various areas of law like immigration, family, personal injury, or employment. With the help of the Law Society of England and Wales, aspiring lawyers can gain access to various training programmes and resources that can help them achieve success in their careers.

Additionally, becoming a lawyer in Swindon provides individuals with the opportunity to work in one of the country's most dynamic legal environments while enjoying the thriving community and diverse culture that the town offers. So, if you're considering a career in law, be sure to explore the many opportunities available to lawyers in Swindon. 

Why Choose Swindon?

Swindon truly is a hidden gem in the heart of England. Its location, just an hour's train ride away from both London and Bristol, makes it the perfect place to live for those who value convenience and accessibility. Despite its proximity to major cities, Swindon has maintained its small-town charm and sense of community, with friendly locals and a strong local economy. The town has a rich history and a variety of cultural offerings, including museums and galleries, as well as ample green spaces for outdoor enthusiasts. Those seeking a peaceful and affordable place to call home need look no further than Swindon.

Why Choose Family Law as a Career?

Being a solicitor is a lucrative career route with several rewarding opportunities. Family law is a highly unique experience because it requires solicitors to help families navigate emotionally difficult situations while adhering to the law. Solicitors in this industry will utilise their legal knowledge to help clients in difficult personal situations such as divorce processes, adoption enquiries, and child custody issues.

Family law lawyers can help families recover from difficult situations while maintaining relationships to the greatest extent feasible by acting as mediators between two parties. A profession in family law is an excellent choice if you want to make a difference in the world.

What Qualifications are Needed to Become a Family Law Lawyer in Swindon

Educational

Nowadays, there are several paths to becoming a solicitor, each with its own set of educational requirements. Everyone will be expected to have GCSE and A-Level credentials (or equivalent qualifications).

Legal Apprenticeships are available in some law firms for students who have achieved their A-Levels but have not yet earned a degree.

Professional

A new path to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales has been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, known as the SQE route. This new method will eventually replace the traditional approach and will be the only way to qualify.

Although it requires a bachelor's degree and two years of full-time qualifying work experience, the GDL, LPC, and PSC courses are no longer necessary. Instead, aspiring solicitors will need to pass both phases of the new Solicitors Qualifying Examinations and meet the SRA's character and suitability standards.

Local Universities and Law Courses

Bristol University

"Law facilitates and constrains every aspect of our lives. This degree will give you both the foundations of legal knowledge and an opportunity to explore the most challenging legal questions facing today's global society.”

“You will have unique opportunities to put theory into practice via an embedded law clinic and growing opportunities for work on real-life cases”.

Bath Spa University

“Our LLB Law degree develops your practical and professional skills alongside your knowledge of legal theory.”

“Gain a broad understanding of legal systems and criminal law. You'll expand your knowledge to topics such as international law, media and entertainment law, and cybercrime.”

Work Experience

While applying for and attending interviews for family law positions, prior experience is typically desirable.

Consider the following options:

Formal professional experience at a firm specialising in family law.
Participating in and winning honours in university family law essay contests, demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject.
Undertaking a modest pupillage to observe a family law solicitor working on a case;
Seeing (shadowing) a judge as he hears a family court case

Expected Salary for a Swindon Family Lawyer

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 £57,000, with London City businesses paying the highest average salary.

In Swindon, the average salary for a Family Law Lawyer is £43,253 (6% above 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

Choosing a Family Law Specialty

Family law is divided into several various sectors and cases; you may find that once you begin working in family law, you prefer dealing with one field over another. Dealing with financial settlements, for example, may be your strong suit, but working with children's matters may come naturally to you; with practise, you may establish a specialty.

Visit Stowe Family Law Swindon

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

You can find us at FigFlex Offices, 3 Newbridge Square, SN1 1HN in Swindon.

The office building is a short 3-minute walk from Swindon train station. If you’re travelling by car, the office can be accessed via Manchester Rd or Milford St. Swindon Bus Station can also be found just over the road from FigFlex Offices.

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