Training & Recruitment

The TSG is committed to ensuring that educational standards, both within learning institutions and training establishments are kept as high as possible. 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 of doing so. Additionally, the Group feels that 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 need during the course of their professional lives. The TSG also seeks to promote that there should be a fairer distribution of the financial burdens of training between trainees, firms and the state.

To this end the TSG is campaigning on student debt, and participating in the Training Contract Review Framework, as well as initiatives by the Law Society such as the Cohort study and the Equality and Diversity programmes. The TSG Council member also provides a valuable link between the group and the Law Society. For further information on policy issues and the TSG's work in this area please refer to the section on policy.

In addition to its campaigning work, the TSG offers a number of services such as skills days, conferences and presentations at Law Fairs. One of the main services offered to members is the TSG's Freephone Helpline Service which provides advice on a variety of issues. The Helpline effectively forms the voice of the TSG and is the main means by which access is gained to the main concerns at any given time. The Helpline does not however offer any legal or employment related advice. Please refer to the section on the Helpline for more information.

An important way in which the TSG can help its members and any person wanting to enter the legal profession is by providing information about the Profession; the variety of qualifications within the profession as well as the variety of routes to those qualifications. Accordingly the Group has endeavoured to provide as much up to date information as possible on this website and within this section in particular.

Such information includes a list of available bursaries and scholarships, the TSG Employment Guide which is designed to provide general basic information for trainees and paralegals, and a variety of advice sheets on various topics (examples of which include routes into the profession, information for non-EEA students, problems during a training contract and the minimum wage).  Please also see our "Managing Expectations" advice sheet for trainees.

For Law Society regulations please refer to the Law Society website. You will be able to search for firms authorised to take trainees by selecting the "training contract" checkbox under "More Search Options" here. The Law Society also provides a list of downloadable forms and documents for prospective trainees.