Trainee Solicitor - Relevant IT Skills

Ngannou54

What kind of IT skills would a trainee solicitor need to have? Proficiency in Microsoft Word? Is typing speed relevant? What kind of programs would you need to be familiar with? Are there any mini-courses I could take to put them on my CV to show that I have valuable or relevant computer skills?

I've 4 FE1s completed (awaiting a result of a fifth). I'm hoping to start Blackhall in 2019 so I'm trying to improve my CV as much as I can in the next year...

Thank you in advance. Any insight/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated :-)

Samuel T. Cogley

The ability to use Justis and Westlaw etc. The amount of law graduates that can't is shocking. (Not that you have to be a law graduate to become a solicitor.)

4ensic15

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

The ability to use Justis and Westlaw etc. The amount of law graduates that can't is shocking. (Not that you have to be a law graduate to become a solicitor.)

Justis and Westlaw are used for legal research. Most small practices would not be involved in legal research and would not subscribe to westlaw. Basci wor processing , used of practise management software and ability to navigate the courts service website would be adequate for most trainee solicitors.

Ngannou54

Hi thanks for your insight. Could you give me some examples of common practise management software?

Samuel T. Cogley

4ensic15 wrote: »

Justis and Westlaw are used for legal research. Most small practices would not be involved in legal research and would not subscribe to westlaw. Basci wor processing , used of practise management software and ability to navigate the courts service website would be adequate for most trainee solicitors.

:pac:

Victor

Knowing your way around IT security - not just firewalls and anti-virus software, but also good practice.

4ensic15

The GDPR is also going to emerge as a major issue.

Mr. Incognito

Hi there

You will need decent typing speeds- proficiency in Word and thats it really

We rarely use Excel. Each practice software is different and you will get up to speed on them by practice.

Hunchback

You won't get any practice of case management systems until you are in a firm, but before that, you could definitely do a free online typing course. In just three weeks your typing will be hugely improved and that will be a big help

leek15

Above average typing skills are an advantage but not of critical importance. I would recommend an online typing course to improve speed if you have the time.

Experience with case managment systems is something that will improve your application greatly. I would recommend getting some experience in a law firm to familiarise yourself with how these systems work, even if its only a week or two. I am also hoping to go to Blackhall in 2019 and this has been a feature of any interviews I have had to date.

A working knowledge of Outlook is also a must. It's good to know the basics of Excel and Powerpoint but they probably wont be used day to day.

Hope this helps!