JLD criticised unpaid young lawyers

The JDL’s Kevin Poulter, writing recently in the Guardian, said the trend means diversity and inclusivity are at risk.

Whilst he says the JDL has been encouraging working for free and pro bono work for the greater good of society, Poulter says: “What is not acceptable is the move by firms across the country asking wannabe or junior lawyers to work for free, exploiting the predicament facing the tens of thousands of graduates from degree courses and the LPC, trainees and newly qualified solicitors who are desperate to continue their chosen career.”

He says recently the JDL became aware of the trend among some firms to offer unpaid paralegal jobs to qualified solicitors and, after further investigation, discovered that it is becoming increasingly and worryingly more common.   

Anecdotal evidence shows some junior lawyers are working for months with little or no pay, sometimes with the vague promise of a training contract, paralegal position, or a “trial period” within the firm.  Poulter says firms who do this should “consider the wider implications for a profession which abuses the difficult and desperate position its junior members find themselves in”.

To read the full article visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/may/28/when-exploitation-acceptable