Foot on the ladder

Boost your own chances

Heather McPhee advises what trainees can do to help themselves in a competitive job market

My remit as Development Officer is effectively to act as the “account manager” for new lawyers. What does this mean? Simply put, I will look for the best and most effective ways to support new lawyers during the qualification route, from the time they are choosing the LLB course while still at school, right up to being five years qualified.

It could be argued that new lawyers need the Society’s support now more than ever. Firms are cutting costs and letting staff go, and recruitment has slowed dramatically in traineeships among other sectors. It’s

never been easy to secure a traineeship, and few manage on the strength of grades alone. The Society is aware however that it’s becoming ever more difficult to secure that elusive contract, due in no small part to the economic climate.

In response, and to generate practical solutions, the Society is keen to explore flexible options for traineeships, and we are always looking for new ways to support trainees during this process. If you are struggling to find a traineeship, we would encourage you to contact the Society and retain a dialogue with us. We are here to support you and help you by providing information on opportunities and projects we are running to further your chances of securing a training contract.

Our advice to you if you are a new lawyer affected by the downturn? First, don’t panic, or take it personally. You have been affected by a global recession and this is no reflection of your abilities and skills. If you are in the position that you need to find paid employment, look for work in areas connected to the law in some way: national or local government, charities, the Scottish Court Service and government agencies are just a few.

Keep up with the law in every way you can. We offer free CPD for all new lawyers and the autumn programme is currently being advertised. This is a great opportunity to build on your legal knowledge and expertise, stay current and meet members of the profession. If you ensure your legal knowledge stays up to date by attending CPD seminars or conferences, reading cases and legal news, you are putting yourself in prime position to be employed when an opportunity arises.

Look for ways to enhance your CV at the same time: a number of organisations are looking for volunteers with legal knowledge and skills. The time commitment required for these posts varies, so it is often possible to fit this in around other work and it shows you are dedicated and committed to the legal profession. The market is Darwinian: the strongest survive. Embrace any opportunities you can, stay in touch with the Society, and work hard to make yourself as competitive as possible to survive the downturn.

Pragmatic approach

Katie Meanley outlines the practical help offered by the Society in relation to traineeships

At a time of unprecedented change in the legal profession, we at the Society are thinking outside the box about the ways we can support our members and the trainees that they employ.

This support translates into pragmatic solutions – for example, recently the Society’s Admissions Committee has taken

the decision that straightforward applications, for example for second secondments of traineeships, can be considered outwith the normal timeframe for the committee meetings. This will enable flexible options (such as secondments, part-time training contracts or sharing a trainee) to be explored more readily. Please contact the Society’s Registrar’s department for more information on 0131 476 8100/8205.

From those Diploma graduates who have not yet secured a traineeship we have received a number of queries about the validity period for the Diploma in Legal Practice. The Diploma is currently valid for a period of two years from 31 December in the year the Diploma was awarded. We at the Society work closely with and support those who have been unable to find a traineeship, and while the Society has taken the decision not to make a blanket extension to the validity of the Diploma, it is possible to apply individually to the Society for an extension of the Diploma’s validity. These applications are being treated sympathetically in light of the current climate.

In February 2009 the Society issued a policy statement relating to the termination of training contracts and urged trainees and potential trainees who have been affected by the downturn to get in touch. The statement is available on our website www.lawscot.org.uk .

At present the Society is aware of 55 trainees whose traineeships have been adversely affected by the current economic climate; encouragingly, 26 have now found and started new traineeships. We will continue to monitor the situation so please do contact us if you have been affected by the downturn.

My role at the Society is to support trainees and training firms, should any issue arise. I am available to offer practical and pastoral support and can be contacted on 0131 476 8100/8205 or by email: katiemeanley@ lawscot.org.uk . Please note that any advice or support is confidential and you can contact the Society anonymously if you would like to do so.

Further support can also be provided by LawCare, a completely free, confidential advisory service to help lawyers.

Flexible future

Collette Paterson looks at future education and training policy

At the Society’s 2009 AGM, the Education and Training Committee’s proposals for the future of legal education, training, and lifelong learning were presented. The new proposals address each stage of the route to qualification as a solicitor, and CPD, and come into operation in September 2011.

A key driver of our policymaking has been promoting flexible routes into the profession. Entry to the traineeship stage has always been competitive, and the issue has become more acute during the recession. PEAT 2, as the traineeship will be known from 2011, will be a more natural extension to the Diploma, or PEAT 1 as that will be known. Common outcomes will apply to PEAT 1 and PEAT 2, for achievement by the student-cum-trainee in a cumulative way over three years. The Society aims to assist potential training organisations by making it clear what a new trainee has learnt by day 1 of PEAT 2, making it easier to train the “qualifying solicitor”.

It is hoped that new linkages between PEAT 1 and PEAT 2, and increased guidance and support from the Society, will result in an increase in training opportunities. But the Society wishes to increase flexibility, not simply numbers, and later this year the Education and Training Committee will be looking at how flexible the Society can allow the traineeship to be, including:

the period of secondment, or number of secondments;

• any period outwith the legal sector, in specified business areas;
• any period outwith the solicitor profession itself, but within the “legal advice” sector;
• the minimum period in the overall traineeship period which must be spent under the supervision of a Scottish solicitor;
• the sharing of trainees.

We envisage clear guidance on flexible options being introduced in early 2010, this being part of the Society’s drive to tackle areas of immediate concern in the current economic climate. This will be closely monitored over a two year period. The Society will also maintain its watching brief over similar developments in England & Wales, and there may be further revisals in 2012.

A further long term goal is to look at rules surrounding non-standard applicants who may wish to apply to deviate from the standard traineeship route. But right now, we’re keen to develop clear guidelines on how flexible a traineeship can be – for everyone involved.