The lot of the trainee

                                  The outcome of the motion at yesterday’s Scottish Young Lawyers Association debate was never in any doubt. After all, few people would seriously agree with the proposition: “This house believes that trainees are there to be exploited.”

Sure enough, the opposition to the motion carried the day by an overwhelming majority. And those supporting the proposition seemed to do so on the basis that the technical definition of exploitation could simply mean utilisation for the sake of gain or profit.

Given that the audience of around 50 consisted mostly of trainees and new lawyers, it was always likely that there would be little real defence of the notion of exploitation, as acknowledged by the chairwoman, Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill. The result was a generally light-hearted debate. But serious issues were undoubtedly raised.

Take the member of the audience who admitted that she had offered to work for free simply to gain a foothold in her chosen career, a practice deserving particular attention during the current downturn. Or the story of the trainee who was given no desk or chair on turning up for work. Others raised issues of unreasonable demands, bullying behaviour and menial work being dumped on trainees. All matters the Society takes seriously and will consider when brought to our attention.

Thankfully, work is underway to address such problems. As readers may know, the Society is working on a major review of every aspect of education and training – much of which includes the position of trainees. “Train the trainer” courses, new best practice guidelines and a revised framework for assessing the progress of trainees are just some of the measures to be implemented as part of the new programme.

In the meantime, we continue to support SYLA’s aim to undertake a representational and lobbying role on behalf of the newly qualified section of the profession.

Last night’s debate may well have been enjoyable and lighthearted, but the exploitation of trainees is no joke.