Legal Careers

Your Law degree will not by itself entitle you to practise either as a barrister or as a solicitor. However, provided that you graduate with a ‘qualifying’ law degree, your degree will entitle you to gain complete exemption from the Common Professional Examination (CPE).  Our LLB programme is designed so as to give students the option of obtaining a ‘qualifying’ law degree.  If you cover only some of the required subjects you may gain partial exemption from the CPE.

After you obtain your degree (or complete the CPE) you will be required to undergo the final stages of professional training.  A university degree confers no exemption from these final stages of professional training.

The Department has entered into a Guaranteed Places Agreement with the College of Law and under this agreement, Law graduates of Durham University, who reach the required standard, are assured a place on the full-time LPC at one of the College of Law locations. 
If you wish to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, details of the professional training can be obtained from:

The Secretary,
The Law Society,
The Law Society’s Hall,
113 Chancery Lane,
London WC2A 1PL.

If you wish to qualify as a barrister, details of the professional training can be obtained from:

The Secretary,
Council of Legal Education,
39 Eagle Street,
London WC1R 4AJ.