Increased trainee pay 'imperative' for future of legal sector - here are new recommended rates

The President of the Law Society of Scotland has warned it is "imperative" trainee pay rises in response to wage growth and inflation for the sake of the whole legal profession.

The Society has increased its recommended minimum pay for trainee solicitors by more than £1,000 per annum for both first and second year trainees.

Susan Murray, President of the Society, said:“The recommendations we have set this year reflect ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing both trainees and employers, and the wider picture of wages growth, particularly in the profession.

“We understand that some employers are facing significant financial strain, however we also need to be mindful that cost-of-living pressures are felt more intensely by those on modest salaries.

“Trainee solicitors are the future of our profession and have chosen this path over a number of other career options available to them as law graduates. It is imperative that they see Scotland’s legal sector as a viable career choice.

“The Society also wishes to make clear that it expects all trainee employers to cover the cost of their trainees’ required annual CPD. We have information that this is not happening for a small number of trainees, adding further to the financial pressures that they face while on modest incomes.”

What are the new recommended minimum pay rates for trainee solicitors?

From 1 June 2025, the recommended rate for trainees in Scotland will be:

- £24,840 for first year trainees - an additional £1,190 per annum

- £28,850 for second year trainees – an additional £1,370 per annum

The rates remain discretionary, with employers permitted to pay above or below the recommendation as long as the wage meets the National Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.

Traineeships that do not meet the minimum Living Wage requirement will not be accepted for registration by the Law Society of Scotland.

Why have recommended pay rates risen?

The Society has cited inflationary pressures and wage growth across the economy for why they have announced an increase.

Across the whole economy, annual growth in total earnings (including bonuses) was 5.6% in December 2024 to February 2025, continuing a trend from the previous quarter.

Latest admissions to Scottish solicitor profession

The news of increased trainee pay came as the Society formally welcomed 71 new solicitors to the profession at a ceremony at Edinburgh's historic Signet Library.

It was the sixth such event already in 2025, underlining the growth of the sector.

Law Society Acting Chief Executive Kevin Lang said: “It is an honour and a pleasure to have been involved in today’s ceremony, and to be able to offer my congratulations to Scotland’s newest solicitors.

“Our new admittees have become solicitors at an exciting time. They are joining a profession that is embracing change that benefits solicitors and the general public in areas including technology, wellbeing, diversity and the environment.”

Guest speaker Kenny Robertson, Head of Innovation and Technology, Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Natwest Group, encouraged the new solicitors to have perspective, be curious and “be brave enough to be yourself, even when you feel an urge to conform to something you are not.”

Hey added: “Don’t chase perfection, chase excellence. Be brave enough to be the best you can be, put your hand up for something new, ask the question in front of everybody else and progress as a consequence.”