Civil Lawyer
Represents people and companies in disputes that are not crimes — contracts, property, family, inheritance, damages and consumer claims.
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- Typical pay
- €32k–€95k
- Usual education
- Law degree plus bar qualification
- Outlook
- Steady — property, family and contract disputes exist in every town, not only big cities.
A day in the life
Meet a client to understand their dispute, read the file and the contracts, draft a claim or a defence, negotiate with the other side, and appear before a civil court when talks fail.
Ways in
- Law degree plus bar exam
- Traineeship at a civil litigation firm
- Conversion course after another degree
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac général — spécialités
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Economie & Maatschappij
Ireland
Leaving Certificate subject choice
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
Browse all examsSkills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
LLB Law
The qualifying law degree: contract, tort, criminal, public and EU law.
The standard route — civil law, contracts and procedure are core modules.
Helpful school subjects: English, History, Politics
Law Conversion (GDL/PGDL or equivalent)
One-year route into law for graduates of any other subject.
Lets you switch into law after another degree.
Helpful school subjects: Any degree
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A&O Shearman
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Baker McKenzie
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Clifford Chance
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Cuatrecasas
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DLA Piper
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Garrigues
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Linklaters
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Uría Menéndez
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