Helpline FAQ

These are just examples of the typical questions asked and the type of advice the helpline can provide. However, this section is in no way intended to be comprehensive and if you need help we strongly advise you to pick up the phone and call us.

I am 40 years old and I have been working in Industry for the last 20 years. I graduated from University with an LLB in 1998. I am seriously considering a change of direction into the law. What I want to know is how many firms would be willing to take on a trainee in his forties? Am I wasting my time?

I am a final year law student. Due to my mounting student debt I am thinking of declaring myself bankrupt so that I can have a fresh start. Will this prevent me from becoming a solicitor?

I am a second year trainee at a small one-partner firm. The partner is usually only in the office three days a week from 11am-2pm. There are four trainees at the firm in total but there are no other qualified solicitors to check our work. I am concerned about the lack of supervision and support available to us, and since I started I have only had one appraisal. What are my options?

I am a trainee in my third seat at a City firm, and I feel I am progressing well. However, last week I was told that I have a meeting with my supervisor to discuss my performance. I have heard from a colleague that they are planning to get rid of me because my ‘face doesn’t fit’. Can they do this?

I am a trainee solicitor and have a conviction for drunk driving. I have not told my firm about this conviction as it occurred after I had commenced my training contract. I am due to qualify in a few months and wanted to know whether this will affect my chances of pursuing a legal career?

I am due to start my training contract, however I have had paralegal experience in a commercial litigation department for nine months and have also worked part time as a personal injury paralegal. Does this mean that the overall period of my training contract can be reduced?

I have been offered a training contract by a London firm who have apparently been exempted by the Law Society from providing the Minimum Salary for trainees. I have been offered £11,000. Is this acceptable?

I have graduated and currently working. I am considering studying the LPC with a view to becoming a Solicitor. Can you give me some advice on how to go about finding a training contract?

I have recently attended an interview with a law firm and they have already decided to make me an offer. I am very pleased with this but have another interview lined up in the next few weeks for a firm who I would much rather train with. I am not sure what I am able to do in this situation. Do I have to tell the first firm that I have another interview lined up and how long can I take to decide whether to accept their offer or not?

Trainee Solicitors Group
The Law Society 114 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1PL DX 56
London / Chancery Lane
Tel: 0207 320 5794 - Fax: 0207 316 5697 Email: info@tsg.org