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Visas – Do I have the right to work in England?
As an Australian citizen to be employed in England you must have a work permit. Your prospective employer must apply for the work permit on your behalf to the Department of Employment in Britain, prior to your arrival. Once the application has been approved, a work permit is issued and sent to you. It must then be presented to the immigration authorities upon entry into the country and your passport stamped accordingly. No further entrance clearance is required for Australian nationals holding work permits. Dependent spouses and/ or children under the age of 18 of the employee must, however, obtain entry clearance from Consular Section prior to departure.
Since a work permit is issued for a specific job with a particular employer, any holder of a work permit who wishes to change jobs will again require the consent of the Department of Employment. This will only be given if the proposed position satisfies the conditions applying to the initial issue of permit.
Practicing as a Solicitor in England
A foreign lawyer may seek to be admitted as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. It is not necessary to have British nationality in order to qualify as a barrister or solicitor. Lawyers from Australia (and other common law jurisdictions) are entitled to re-qualification as solicitors in England by way of a special Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT). To be eligible for admission, you also need to have at least two years' practical experience in at least three common law areas. This experience needs to have been acquired within the last five years.
The QLTT is a conversion Test which enables lawyers qualified in certain countries outside England and Wales, as well as UK Barristers to qualify as solicitors. In an increasingly competitive business world, lawyers with a dual qualification will be able to offer a more comprehensive service to clients.
The Test covers four Heads:
Head I - Property
Head II - Litigation
Head III - Professional Conduct & Accounts
Head IV - Principles of Common Law
You will need to apply for a certificate of eligibility from the Law Society before you apply to sit the Test. The Law Society will determine which Head or Heads you must pass dependent upon your primary professional qualification. At the moment, Australian lawyers only need to sit Head III of the QLTT. Lawyers from other jurisdictions may need to complete the other Heads as well.
It is possible to arrange to sit the QLTT in Australia. The College of Law offers courses to help you prepare for the course, and can also arrange for you to sit the examination.
Key Firms
The following firms are considered to be amongst the top law firms in London:
Legal Salaries
The salary rates for medium-large law firms in London are as follows:
|
Qualification
|
Range (UK₤)
|
Average (UK₤)
|
|
NQ
|
55 – 66k
|
62k
|
|
1 year
|
57 – 72k
|
66k
|
|
2 years
|
62 – 86k
|
77k
|
|
3 years
|
69 – 90k
|
89k
|
|
4 years
|
74 – 99k
|
92k
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|
5 years
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86 – 119k
|
105k
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|
6 years
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96 – 140k +
|
110k
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The salary rates for US law firms in London are as follows:
|
Qualification
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Range (US$)
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Average (US$)
|
|
NQ
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72 – 85k
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83k
|
|
1 year
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75 – 97k
|
90k
|
|
2 years
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85 – 110k
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100k
|
|
3 years
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93 – 122k
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110k
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|
4 years
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103 – 130k
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120k
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|
5 years
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113 – 137k
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129k
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6 years
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123 – 155k+
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137k
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Many law firms also offer their solicitors a bonus scheme, which can range from 10% to 40% amongst the Top 10 firms and 2.5% to 30% amongst firms outside this range.
Taxation
The UK has one of the simplest forms of income tax in the world. The tax rates are as follows (2007-08):
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Range (UK₤)
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Tax Rate (%)
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0 - 2,230
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10
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2,231 - 34,600
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22
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34,600
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40
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Superannuation
England does not have a compulsory superannuation scheme, but most firms offer membership of a contributory pension scheme.
Heath care
Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK for the provision of urgently needed treatment for emergency conditions that arise during a stay in the UK. The agreement covers anyone who is ordinarily resident in Australia regardless of nationality, and treatment will be provided on the same terms as UK residents. Under this agreement Australians are not required to pay for hospital charges for emergency treatment. Employees who spend more than 12 weeks in employment in their first year in the UK are also exempt from charges for non-emergency in-patient hospital treatment.
The UK has a government subsidised National Health Service (NHS). Any person wishing to take up residence in the UK may apply to receive general medical services in the same way as those ordinarily resident in the UK. Once registered with the NHS, foreign patients are entitled to receive treatment and prescriptions from GP’s, dentists and optician in the same way and at the same price as other NHS patients.
An alternative to NHS medical care is private treatment. Although much more costly it allows you to have control over when treatment should take place and who should perform it. Many law firms provide private coverage for their employees under group health plans.
Banking
Setting up a bank account in London is quite simple. The four largest UK banks are Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, Midland Bank and National Westminster Bank. They have numerous branches throughout London and the rest of England.
Although personal references may be required to open a UK bank account, your passport will be the main requirement for identity purposes. A letter of introduction from your firm helps speed up the process, as do copies of your Australian bank statements if you require immediate credit facilities.
Transport
Owning a car is not essential in Central London because of the excellent public transportation e.g. underground tube, buses and high speed trains. However if you prefer the convenience of a car, you can buy, lease or rent a vehicle easily.
Generally, if you hold a valid driving licence or International Driving Permit you may drive vehicles covered by your licence in the UK for a period of 12 months. At the end of 12 months you must hold a full British driving licence if you wish to continue driving. A facility exists whereby Australian licences can be exchanged for British licences for up to 5 years from the date of entry into the UK. Application forms for this licence exchange (as well as for a general applications for a UK licence) can be obtained from most post offices.
Accommodation
Rented housing and apartments, both furnished and unfurnished, may be found in the classified sections of local British newspapers. It should be noted that in London and the major cities, rental accommodation is usually in great demand.
Rents vary considerably, not only by the standard and locality of accommodation premises, but also by region, generally higher in London and southern regions, and lower in the north of England.
Indicative (per week) rents for 1-3 bedroom apartments in a variety of areas in London are as follows:
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Subrb
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1 Bedroom
(£ per week)
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2 Bedroom
(£ per week)
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3 Bedroom
(£ per week)
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Mayfair
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340+
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450+
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600+
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Kensington
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295+
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400+
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550+
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Chelsea
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240+
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365+
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475+
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Notting Hill
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210+
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330+
|
425+
|
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Paddington
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200+
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300+
|
395+
|
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Earls Court
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185+
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295+
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395+
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Surrey Quays
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190+
|
280+
|
380+
|
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Greenwich
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170+
|
270+
|
370+
|
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Brixton
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150+
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240+
|
320+
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Leasing agents and most landlords will require addresses (or fax numbers/ email) of referees who will confirm your ability to meet rent regularly. Usual referees are your employer, bank, previous landlords or accountants. You will usually be asked for rent to be paid monthly in advance. You will also need to provide a deposit against damage to the property or contents. The deposit is usually 4-6 weeks rent. This is usually held by the agent in a designated client account and will be returned (less deductions) at the end of your stay. Most agents require a minimum period of 6- 12 month rental period.
Useful links
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