Law Society to guarantee training contracts in 2015

The Law Society will offer guaranteed training contracts in 2015 to two exceptional students as part of its new Diversity Access Scheme (DAS).

DAS aims to increase social diversity in the legal profession by supporting promising entrants from disadvantaged backgrounds or those who face 'exceptional obstacles' to qualification.

The Society is set to offer ten standard DAS awards in 2015. These will include financial assistance with fees for the Legal Practice Course (LPC), work experience and the support of a professional mentor.

In addition, one 'DAS PLUS' award will include the standard award benefits plus a guaranteed training contract at an 'eligible law centre'.

Further to the DAS and DAS PLUS, the Law Society is offering a training contract with its own in-house legal team at Chancery Lane as of 2015.

Funding cuts

The Society decided to offer a law centre training contract after a number of previous DAS applicants indicated a preference for a career in the social advice sector.

Furthermore, funding cuts to law centres across the country have resulted in reduced staffing budgets despite demand for the services remaining constant.

The Law Society president, Andrew Caplen, said: "Guaranteeing training contracts at law centres not only protects access to justice, but the scheme itself goes some way to improve the diversity of the legal profession. We also look forward to welcoming an exceptional candidate to work with us at the Law Society."

'Depressing reality'

The president continued: "A shortage of training contracts does make the legal profession a hard one to break into, but for many people applying to the Diversity Access Scheme, the prospect of getting on the LPC, never mind securing a contract, is incredibly remote due to the social and economic barriers they face. This is a depressing reality but one we should not ignore."

Caplen concluded: "If you are talented and show great promise as a future member of the legal profession, we want to make sure you get a fighting chance. That is the rationale behind the Diversity Access Scheme."

DAS and DAS PLUS applications will open on 2 February and close on 13 April 2015.

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal