All you need to know about the new recruitment code.
The Voluntary Code of Practice for the Recruitment of Trainee Solicitors has changed following the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s withdrawal as a signatory and the regulator’s replacement by the Law Society. The changes affect how and when law firms recruit trainees, so it’s important to brush up on them. Read this guide from LC.Ner Matt Broadbent to find out all you need to know about the code...Part one:
The major changes hinge on when firms can set their training contract deadlines and offer training contracts, and how many offers an applicant can hold and for how long. The changes at a glance are:
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Old system |
New System |
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Earliest permitted deadline for training contract applications: |
31 July |
After start of the penultimate year of a law degree |
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Earliest permitted deadline for vacation scheme applications: |
None |
None |
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Earliest permitted date offers can be made: |
1 September |
After start of the penultimate year of a law degree |
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Candidates must decide on training contract offers by: |
Four weeks after an offer is made |
15 September or four weeks after offer, whichever is later |
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Number of offers an applicant can hold: |
Two maximum |
Unlimited |
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Notes: |
The code remains voluntary and cannot be enforced by regulation,
only by peer pressure. Firms claiming to adhere to the code are likely
to advertise this fact via their website and promotional materials. | |
