Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

[cydsali]

Hi! I'm starting on the path to become a solicitor this year but it occurred to me that my mental health history may be a barrier. I'm basically fine now, but in the past, I've had numerous suicide attempts that are on record including one that resulted in a voluntary hospitalization and one that resulted in being sectioned under a 136. I've never been violent or abusive in any manner, and I'm pretty much 100% now and have been for quite some time. However, I can't exactly "prove" I'm fine as I'm not on medication and I sorted myself out without receiving therapy because of the waiting lists in my area.

I'll be starting a law degree next year with the aim of becoming a solicitor. I've tried researching this for myself, and the SRA says that criminal convictions can be an issue, but I have yet to find any information on whether or not being sectioned counts against me in any way, or even if previous mental health issues are taken into account at all.

If anyone has any information on this for me, it would be greatly appreciated. I'd hate to get all the way through university only to find out I'm ineligible.

[Kati]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I'm afraid I cannot answer your question :sorry:, but I will say ... if you were 'discriminated' against for your past issues then I believe you would have a case against them. Mental health problems should never be seen as a barrier, especially when you have worked through them (as you seem to have done yourself).

Good luck in your chosen career

K x

[Tools]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I don't have a definitive answer for you I'm afraid, however I did find this news story from the Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/...imination-work

I will ask around for you and see if I get a better answer for you, alternatively you could approach the SRA directly and ask them. The other issue you may have is even if after studying and becoming a solicitor, once qualified you may also have (unfairly in my opinion) difficulty getting employment with a firm. Todays attitudes to mental health have come a long way, an employer shouldn't normally use this as a barrier against employing you, but in reality it does still happen.

If you were to eventually practice in the area of mental health, going through it yourself to me would be better than any formal qualification.

[des8]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

Hi and welcome to LB
I doubt there is any automatic block on you progressing to becoming a so;icitor, although you will probably find the hurdles are greater.
Have you contacted Lawyers with Disabilities division of the Law Society. They may be able to give you in depth advice,
http://communities.lawsociety.org.uk...-disabilities/

Anyway, best wishes to you in your endeavours.
When you become a solicitor perhaps you'll be able to post on here for the benefit of others

[MissFM]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I don't think (from observation) that it can be any kind of a barrier in terms of your acceptance within the profession. I would imagine (without meaning to be flippant) that the legal profession would be decimated in all fields if that were so. It's not criminal, or shameful, to be mentally ill and is remarkably common, especially in stressful occupations.

This is an interesting site, and may be worth contacting:

http://www.lawcare.org.uk/about-us/#annual_report

http://www.lawcare.org.uk/media/4452...rt-version.pdf

Good luck! x

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I'd have thought that s.136 records would also 'drop off' so to speak, as do certain criminal convictions when spent. This gets a little confusing because sometimes the two are linked together, i.e. mentally ill people who are also guilty of a criminal offence and so there are basically two records, however, this wouldn't apply to the OP. Would be useful if anyone had info with regards to how long those remain on record.

[andyasw]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I'd have thought that s.136 records would also 'drop off' so to speak, as do certain criminal convictions when spent. This gets a little confusing because sometimes the two are linked together, i.e. mentally ill people who are also guilty of a criminal offence and so there are basically two records, however, this wouldn't apply to the OP. Would be useful if anyone had info with regards to how long those remain on record.

S136 of the Mental Health Act is a police arrest at being found in a public place and believed, by the police, to be suffering from a mental disorder. It is classed as an arrest but is not quite the same as an arrest for criminal behaviour. I can only imagine that disclosure of this would come from the police themselves but who asks for police references?

Hope that helps and good luck!

[cydsali]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

Thank you for all the responses. I'm going to bring it up with my Access to HE tutor when I have my college interview. I'm going to go ahead with the whole plan anyway, even if it's going to be difficult!

[Tools]

Re: Is being sectioned a barrier to becoming a solicitor?

I wish you luck, keep us posted.