The legal and criminal justice sectors include a huge variety of roles and types of work. There are highly technical roles working at the intersection of law and technology, law and finance, or law and scientific regulation, and roles which are much more focused on working with people.
You don’t need a degree in law or criminology to work in this sector. You can qualify as a solicitor or a barrister without a law degree, and people with all sorts of backgrounds find roles in the broader fields of compliance and regulation. Roles in or related to the criminal justice field, such as probation, youth justice, prisons and policing, are also open to all. Often, volunteer work, especially volunteer work with vulnerable groups, will give you the skills and knowledge you need for this type of role.
Places to start exploring your career options!
If you are looking for a career in Law and Criminal Justice but you’re not sure where to start, here are some useful links where you can explore different options
Job Boards
Employers also use job boards to advertise roles, so they’re another way to find opportunities. They often have filters by location and job type to help your search. Here are some sector-specific job sites:
Graduate Schemes
Graduate schemes are a great way to get into the industry at entry-level. Often spanning two years, they provide structured training, and typically a full-time contract after completion. Many of them will allow you to earn specific qualifications or accreditations which are recognised across the industry. Here are some graduate schemes in the sector:
Other Careers Resources
If you want to find out more about this sector, or you’re preparing for a job interview or assessment centre, these are fantastic resources to find out what people in the industry are talking about at the moment:
Local Companies
Professional bodies, organisations and regulatory authorities
Professional bodies and organisations help maintain high standards and reputations in the profession and of their members. Many sectors require their staff to be a member of one of these organisations. Here are some links to the organisations relevant to this sector:
