Once again it is work experience time and this article is directed at pupils, who are thinking of a career in law, and their families.

The first requirement is academic. Unless you are in the top stream at school, forget it. To be admitted to a law course, you must be academically in the top one-half percent of the population and need good Highers taken in one sitting. The exact details of these requirements can be obtained from the various Universities offering a law course.

Next you have to have the mindset of a lawyer. You have to be able to work things out by breaking the problem into its constituent parts. This is conceptual, as is, for example, algebra. In maths you get a long equation to solve and you do so by breaking it down into bits. If you can think along such lines, you have one of the basic tools for being a lawyer. Of course a cynic would say that maths is essential so that you can work out your fees!

Law is logical. Having been able to see what the basis of the problem is, you then have to be able to put together an answer that makes sense and which you can support by argument. To illustrate this, to get accelerated promotion in the civil service I had to go before a Board of very senior lawyers and academics. I was asked about a problem that was troubling the Treasury Solicitor in a number of cases in Northern Ireland. The law there is entirely different to Scots Law and is based on English Law. I could not possibly know the answer but, using my knowledge of Scots Law, worked out an answer and supporting argument. The response? That now made two people who thought that, the Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and me! The House of Lords later agreed with the two of us.

Another major requirement is an ability to communicate both orally and in writing. It is no use you knowing what the answer is if you cannot communicate it to your client, the Court or another lawyer in a way in which that person can be sure what you mean to say and can understand it. In your career you will deal with people ranging from those with limited language skills and abilities to those who think they know it all already. In short, you have to have a good command of English.

You have to be able to get on with people. Law is a service industry. Lawyers don’t produce anything other than words and writing. We help people to deal with their problems.

Next do not think you will make large sums of money. If you want that, become a footballer, pop star or businessman. Very few members of any profession are highly paid and lawyers are no different. You can make a good living but will have to work long and hard to do so. The World does not owe lawyers a living and you will be competing with others just as able as you are.

Finally be prepared for a long haul. Four years at university for the honours degree and then another to get the Diploma followed by two years as a trainee before you can be let loose on an unsuspecting world.

Why do it at all? The answers are really contained in what I have said so far. It is a continuous intellectual challenge. You will not be bored. That is important if you consider that you may be doing it for forty years. In my field, I am dealing with people every day. They are all individuals and different. Every case is different because it involves an individual. I have been practising for 31 years and still enjoy it. Because of my knowledge and skills, I am able to help people to achieve something they cannot do themselves. That is immensely satisfying and pleasing.

If you are still interested in a career in law, to paraphrase an earlier advertising campaign “it is never to early to speak to a lawyer”, go and speak to one and find out more.