Alternative routes to qualification
Law Society exams and alternative entry route
For those who do not wish to obtain an LLB, an alternative
route to qualification exists. This involves entering into a
three-year pre-Diploma training contract with a Scottish solicitor
and studying for the Society's professional exams. In
depth information regarding the in-office training of pre-Diploma
trainees can be found in our guidelines.
It should be noted that people who take this alternative route
are still required to obtain a Diploma in Legal Practice and to
undertake a two-year post-Diploma traineeship.
The Law Society of Scotland's professional examinations are
usually held in February and August.
Full details of the exam syllabus and reading list can be
downloaded in this section as can a copy of the exam
timetable and the application form for examinations.
Past exam papers are available free of charge for download,
please follow the link below.
NEWS: Change in EU Law exam paper took effect in
2012.
Prior to 2012 the European Union Law exam question paper
was set in two parts with candidates being required to answer two
questions from Section A and two questions from Section B.
A mock paper has
been set in two sections with candidates being required to answer a
total of 4 questions (as at present).
From February 2012 question 1 from each section will be
compulsory and candidates will be required to answer two further
questions from anywhere in the paper.
This took effect in February 2012.