Live Q&A: Assessing the competition - is it worth pursuing a career in law?

There's no escaping the fact that some careers come with a price tag attached. If you want to be, say, a dentist or a doctor, then to start with you'll need to invest in years of studying at university. Plus plenty of books and, perhaps, one of those anatomical model skeletons I've seen pressed up against the windows of students digs.

If the legal sector is more your bag, then here comes the potential damage. From next year, it's going to cost more than £50,000 to become a lawyer. Although, in a BBC-like fashion, we should really point out a growing number of budget legal education options do exist.

It probably won't be news to budding solicitors that the law industry is pretty competitive as well. Freelance journalist Alex Aldridge pointed out recently how thousands of law graduates have found themselves jobless after firms dramatically scaled back their trainee recruitment to combat the recession.

Susan Cooper, founder of Acculaw, which offers a cut-price lawyers' training model, summed up the issue facing a generation of hopefuls: "There is a lot of talent out there right now, who, out of no fault of their own, find themselves without jobs."

Now, we wouldn't blame you if this sounds a little scary, should you be mulling over a legal career. So, in a new series of live Q&As, we've asked an expert panel to share their industry insights and experience to help you assess what the competition is like and ultimately, whether you'd like to pursue a career as a solicitor, barrister or paralegal.

We'll also be looking at what will help your chances and make you stand out to law firms and barristers' chambers, so whether you are thinking about a career in the legal profession or currently studying law, join us on Friday 4 November from 1pm for a helping hand.

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Our panel:

David Herling is director of the Graduate Diploma in Law course at The City Law School, part of City University London, lecturing on constitutional and administrative law, criminal law and contract. He will be joined by Simon Goulding, course director of the Graduate Entry LLB conversion course. Both are qualified barristers.

Clare Lacey is an HR Specialist in graduate recruitment at Clifford Chance LLP, With over 9 years of experience in graduate recruitment, Clare advises on all areas of recruitment and selection from application forms through to assessment centre models and processes.

Deborah Casale is a partner at London-based law firm Gannons Solicitors, which specialises in the law relating to employment, partnerships/LLP and company commercial. Deborah specialises in contentious and non-contentious employment law, litigation and employee taxation, advising both employees and employers.

Mark Heptinstall is a partner and collaborative lawyer at Manchester-based firm Slater Heelis. After his LPC in 2004, Mark spent time working for a niche charity presenting immigration and asylum tribunal appeals, before starting his training contract at Slater Heelis in 2005. Mark specialises in family matters and often appears on behalf of his clients as an advocate in court.

Alan Geaney is the HR Director at south east law firm Cripps Harries Hall. His wealth of experience includes roles at two 'magic circle' firms, Simmons & Simmons and Donaldsons (now DTZ). He has achieved IIP accreditation and has twice been awarded Top 100 Firms status.

Ezra Smith is a second year trainee at London law firm Howard Kennedy. Ezra completed his Law Degree in 2005 at Cardiff University and worked in the property department at Howard Kennedy as a paralegal for two years before starting his training contract at the firm in 2010.

Amy Radnor is a solicitor at City law firm Charles Russell, where she trained and qualified into the family law department in 2008. Amy advises on all areas of family law, including divorce, finances and children matters.

Myles Bigland is regional liaison officer for the Institute of Legal Executives which gives people the chance to become a lawyer via a vocational route, rather than via university. Myles spends his time visiting colleges, universities and careers exhibitions to talk to students about their options for entering law.

Tom Laidlaw is head of academic development for LexisNexis in the UK and has over 10 years' experience working in the UK academic legal market. He is a graduate of Nottingham University, where he studied law.

Stephen Cole is a careers consultant at the University of Westminster, looking after the Schools of Law and Life Sciences, and organises the annual University of Westminster Legal Careers Event.