How to Become a Lawyer in Ireland

If you want an interesting, rewarding job working in the legal system, then studying to become a lawyer could be the right career path for you.

Find out how to become a lawyer in Ireland today and enjoy a prestigious career in law.

The day-to-day duties of a lawyer will vary depending on what type of lawyer they are.

There are two types of lawyers in Ireland, barrister and solicitor and both work in law and advocate for clients but in different ways. 

A barrister will specialise in representing their clients in a court of law and presenting their case, whilst solicitors offer expert legal advice to clients, and although they can represent clients in court, often solicitors will call on barristers to do this. Barristers and lawyers often specialise in a type of law such as the law of tort, land law or constitutional law.

Some of the main daily duties of lawyers, including barristers and solicitors, include:

The average salary for a lawyer in Ireland is €107,626. Salaries for lawyers in Ireland begin at around €72,863 for law graduates and can go up to around €131,950 for experienced lawyers. 

There are different routes to becoming a lawyer in Ireland, so no matter where you currently are in your education and employment, you can explore a career in law. There are different types of Law courses you’ll need to do at different stages of your educational journey. 

The first route is to pass the Law Society entrance examination and, once passed, secure a two-year training contract with a solicitor who has been in legal practice for at least four years. 

You can then begin to apply for the Professional Practice Course I and, upon completion, begin a two-year training contract or apprenticeship. You will then go on to study the Professional Practice Course II, which lasts for 12 weeks and finally return to in-office training as a training solicitor for around 11 months. 

Another route to studying law and becoming a qualified lawyer involves enrolling on a higher education law course, the entry requirements of which involve a minimum grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H7 level in the Leaving Certificate. This must include Irish, English, another language and any three other subjects. 

All lawyers in Ireland will need a qualifying law degree (LLB) from an Irish or UK university which meet the requirements as set out by the King’s Inns or Law Society of Ireland. If you have a non-law undergraduate degree, then you can study for a postgraduate diploma in Law. 

Following a law degree or postgraduate diploma in Law, you can complete a legal studies course and then undertake a full-time Training contract or apprenticeship for a trainee solicitor or barrister. Once you complete your apprenticeship or training, you can apply to the Law Society of Ireland to become a qualified solicitor or complete a Barrister-at-Law degree programme to become a qualified barrister.

After you have completed pupillage, you can then apply to the roll of solicitors or the Bar, complete a final examination and then begin practising as a lawyer in Ireland. 

Using course comparison sites to find Law courses is an ideal way to explore different learning routes and find the best educational path for you.

Lawyers need a range of skills and knowledge, including expert knowledge of the legal system and a variety of personal skills, to help them succeed in this role. These skills will be developed through the education and training needed to become a lawyer. However, you can also develop several of these skills personally through work experience, online courses and practice. 

The work experience you need to become a lawyer is primarily incorporated into the essential training and legal education you will do during your chosen route to becoming a lawyer. During an apprenticeship, Law course and training programme, there are several practical elements which will develop your skills working in a legal environment, working with clients and applying your legal knowledge to the real world. 

However, if you want to increase your chances of getting onto a law programme and beginning on your career path, then gaining work experience will be advantageous. Whether it is a work placement, time spent shadowing a qualified lawyer or employed work as a legal secretary part-time, gaining as much experience as possible in a legal environment will greatly increase your employment opportunities, and training opportunities and give you a better insight into what this barristers’ and solicitors’ profession is really like.

There are many career paths for lawyers in Ireland, and with your skills and expertise in law you can explore a variety of career progression opportunities. As you develop your skills and experience, you can take on more responsibility and gain promotions within a private practice.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is essential for lawyers, and engaging in more CPD can also allow you to progress into more senior roles within your legal firm. You can explore different Law courses to see what qualifications you’ll need to progress in your career.

You can also further specialise in certain legal areas, such as company law or criminal law, with further training. Solicitors in Ireland who have worked for at least ten years can also go on to become a District Court Judge, or after 12 years in practice, they can become a High Court or Supreme Court Judge.