Barriers to progression in the Legal Profession

I believe strongly in meritocracy. There seem still to be many barriers to this in the legal profession.

A recent study found that: the average cost of solicitor qualification over the last few years has been around ￡24,000, with 85% of non-law graduates funding the conversion course themselves.

Annually, 15% - or ￡21m – of qualification costs are spent by students who never qualify, according to the study. Actually, I’m surprised it’s so low a percentage. What a waste! https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/sqe-could-halve-cost-of-qualification-says-consultancy-/5105762.article

Another study found that "More than half of partners employed across the participating firms attended an independent school (53%), and the talent pipeline suggests that limited progress will be made over time. “Women, those from lower socio-economic groups and black employees are likely to progress more slowly to partnership.

I’m hopeful that the new SQE will make a difference. Cost is a huge barrier. It would appear that students will save themselves between 25-50% in training costs. As far as I can see the SQE is at least as rigorous as the current exams. Another nice feature is that it allows students to get credit for Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) towards the 2 years FTE requirement along the way – from vacation work and internships from up to 4 organisations. It has to be signed off by an appropriate person to count.

Firms may also avail themselves of the Apprenticeship Scheme to cover the training costs. Here’s a link to an article I wrote on this: https://www.hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/apprenticeships-the-sqe-how-this-can-save-you-money/

Ingemar Hunnings is lead consultant at HCL a consultancy providing Business Support to Law Firms, in-house legal departments and other organisations. Everything to allow a busy partner get on with the client work. Previously he practiced as a solicitor for 24 years, as an equity partner for 14 years and ran a department of 60 staff. Since setting up his consultancy in 2014 he has worked with over 300 businesses. https://www.hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/ 07887 524507 [email protected]