What is the TSG?

Basically, the Trainee Solicitors' Group ("the TSG" for short), is a company limited by guarantee.  The company has no share capital, and is governed by section 30 of the Companies Act 1989.

The company's registered number is 03769873.  The registered address is 114 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL.

The TSG is also a recognised group of the Law Society.  This means that the TSG is an independent body, dedicated to representing the TSG members.  Although a company limited by guarantee, the TSG receives financial and administrative support from the Law Society.

Aims

The TSG campaigns to support tomorrow's solicitor today.  It aims to promote and protect the interests and welfare of both present and future members of the Group, at all stages of training.  The Group also strives to both maintain and further good working relations between TSG members and those for whom they work or will work.

The TSG believes that:

• All people who want to become solicitors and who are capable of reaching the required standard should have a fair and equal opportunity to do so.
• All those entering the solicitors' profession must be given a proper and thorough training to enable them to acquire and develop the skills that they will require during their professional lives.
• There should be a fairer distribution of the financial burdens of training between trainees, firms and the State. 

To this end, the TSG lobbies the Law Society and other institutions, both in private and in the legal press, on issues such as student debt, the Minimum Salary, monitoring and proper supervision during training contracts as well as the fair representation of younger members of the profession.

The TSG also disseminates information on the development and governance of the profession and promotes the numerous opportunities that exist to become involved with the Law Society and its various general and specialist associated national and international groups.

The TSG objects can be found within its constitution.  The TSG must act within its objects at all times.

The Membership

The TSG has approximately 50,000 members throughout England and Wales. Membership is currently free and automatic upon enrolment as a student member of the Law Society. 

The TSG represents:

1  Students

• on an exempting law degree
• on a Graduate Diploma in Law course (GDL or CPE)
• on an integrated course
• studying for the post-graduate diploma in law (PGDL)
• on the Legal Practice Course (LPC)

2  Those seeking a training contract post completion of the LPC (including paralegals)

3  Trainee Solicitors

4  Solicitors who have been qualified for up to one year.

Please Note

If you fall within the categories above, it is likely that you are already a member of the TSG.  This is because you will be enrolled with the Law Society - whether as a student, trainee or NQ.  However, in order to avail yourself of all the benefits of TSG membership, we would advise you to opt-in.  This is a simple process, and all that is required is that you register online.  Please click here to do so.

It is likely that the TSG will implement an affiliate member scheme, so that those who are currently outside of the TSG membership (i.e. university students) can become affiliate members and access the benefits of belonging to the Group.  Please contact us for further details of this at policy@tsg.org.

How we Function

The TSG, which is a limited company, operates both nationally and regionally. 

Like an ordinary company, the TSG has both a Board of Directors and shareholders.  The TSG Executive act as its Board of Directors - making the day-to-day decisions concerning the company and how it is run. 

The shareholders of the company are the National Committee members of the TSG.  The National Committee is made up of representatives from local groups.  Each local group has a representative who sits on the National Committee.  The TSG Executive are accountable to the National Committee, who assist the Group in making policy decisions (the breakdown of membership of the National Committee appears below).

As a member of the TSG, you are not a shareholder, but a stakeholder.  This means that you are one of those whom the TSG was formed to support.  You are the reason that the Group exists.

How does this operate?

The Group currently has 11 executive posts co-ordinating the national activities of the TSG and approximately 35 local groups. The National Committee comprises:

• a representative from each local group
• representatives from LPC institutions
• representatives from other Law Society groups
• executive officers

The National Committee elects the executive which is responsible for the day to day running of the group and which holds office for one year from the Annual General Meeting in October/November. Any member of the TSG is eligible to stand for election to their local group committee or to the national executive.

The TSG also has a seat on the Law Society Council, which means that the views of law students and trainee solicitors can be voiced directly on Council. If you have any questions, you can always contact the President directly, on president@tsg.org.

Local Groups

For anyone wishing to become involved with the TSG, local groups are a good place to start. 

Local groups can be described as "chapters" of the TSG, based in a particular town or region, who put on events and provide pastoral support with a more local focus.  The majority of activities undertaken on a local level are more geared to networking and socialising.  Local groups host a variety of social and educational events, including balls, careers nights, wine tastings, sporting events and educational lectures.  For details of local groups please click here.   

TSG Publications

tsgLIFE

tsgLIFE is the TSG's magazine which is published four times a year and distributed free of charge to all registered trainees and newly qualified solicitors . Current and past editions are available by clicking here.

Articles cover all aspects of legal training, news and developments within the profession.  All members are encouraged to contribute by way of article writing or otherwise. If you would like to contribute please email tsglife@tsg.org.

The Training Contrat & Pupillage Handbook

This is considered to be the "Training Contract Bible".  Most people who found their training contract did so with the aid of this book. 

The Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook is published by Globe Business Publishing Limited in association with the TSG. This is a valuable source of information for students in relation to the funding of the LPC and finding out about the various training contract providers, as well as detailing the various specialisms within the law.  Find out how you can get a copy by clicking here.

Globe Business Publishing also run the valuable online careers advice site, LawCareers.Net.  This is a listing of training contracts available, start dates, application dates and useful firm information.  You can search for firms in the geographical area you wish to train in, who do the fields of law you are interested in and are of the right size for you.  In short - it is a highly recommended resource for students or anyone looking for a training contract (or pupillage, as a matter of fact).

Events

The TSG organises a wide variety of social and educational events for its members both nationally and locally.  Local TSG groups meet socially, hold meetings in conjunction with local law societies, host careers talks and provide a useful source of information and peer support for law students and trainee solicitors in the area.  National events include Conferences, Skills Days, Award Ceremonies and Law Fairs.  To find our more information about national events, please click here.

TSG Helpline

Any TSG member can call this freephone confidential helpline (08000 856131 ) for advice and support on the following areas:

• finding a training contract
• student issues
• paralegal issues
• problems during a training contract
• newly qualified issues
• discrimination
• debt problems
• stress
• bullying and harassment

The helpline is operated by volunteer trainee solicitors who are there to offer support, to listen and to give practical advice to their peers.  Please note that the Helpline does not offer legal advice and volunteers are unable to meet callers in person.

If you would prefer to send an email - please email direct to helpline@tsg.org.  You will receive an answer from a Helpline Volunteer as if you had made a telephone call.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS. 

You will not have to give your name or any details that you are not comfortable with supplying.  The Helpline Volunteers are all TSG members, who have undertaken specific helpline training.  If you would like to volunteer for the TSG Helpline, please contact the Helpline Officers on helplinedirector@tsg.org to see how you can help.