Trainee solicitors are struggling with debt

Law Society President Robert Heslett says: "Anyone planning on pursuing a career as a solicitor should consider the costs, amongst other factors, before making that commitment. Students considering embarking on the study course must be aware that there is no guarantee of a training contract once the study period is complete. Rather than discouraging tomorrow's solicitors from pursuing their ambitions, we want students to be aware of the current jobs market in the legal sector before starting out on that career path, or choosing to fund a study course before a training contract has been secured.

"The Society hopes that the fear of debt does not deter the best talent from entering the profession and our Junior Lawyers Division has plenty of information and guidance for anyone considering a career in law. We also have, through the Law Society Charity, the Diversity Access Scheme which awards valuable training and mentoring opportunities to those who show promise but would otherwise not be able to pursue a career as a solicitor either due to financial difficulties or other hardships."

The majority of trainees surveyed by Traineesolicitor.co.uk also said there are too many LPC graduates increasing the already tight competition with almost 90% saying it was harder to secure a training contract in 2009 than in the previous year.  But given the choice, nearly 20% of trainees would chose to train at Eversheds.

The picture is also bleak for qualified solicitors.  The official number of unemployed solicitors on benefits has quadrupled during the recession but the true figure of unemployed solicitors is much higher given that many will need to drain their savings before being entitled to benefits, others will not claim at all while others have alternative employment.