Apprenticeships in Law: A Profession in Crisis?

UPDATE: The New Paralegal Route 

The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority intends to introduce apprenticeships as a route to qualification. Very Important People say this could lead to creation of a two-tier profession which, in reality, already exists. 

Law is elitist

It’s impossible to deny.  It has a self-styled Magic Circle, almost all in London. Yet the profession now tries to move away from this label: 

“Look how inclusive we are!” translates into unclear promises in application form guidance.

“Look how modern we are!” becomes free pens and post-its at law fairs doled out by people not wearing ties.  One of my friends managed to bag an inflatable sofa from a top twenty firm (but didn’t secure a training contract).

“Anyone can be a lawyer!” results in a reluctant showing at career events for lesser known Universities.

Now. A law degree is a law degree is a law degree. We can’t escape that.  However, there is the unuttered opinion that a well-known firm considering, say, a BA (Hons) in Law at Sheffield Hallam, against an LLB (Hons) from a Russell Group University, would undoubtedly (in the majority of cases) favour the latter, all other things being equal.  Prove me wrong.  

Perhaps we are being led down the garden path to the tune “it doesn’t matter where you’ve studied, you can do law at any firm you fancy” loosely disguised as ‘inclusivity’ so a few boxes can be ticked and the main predicament I am about to open the box on is avoided.

There are too many lawyers today

Legal Aid seems to be dying/scrapped, especially with regard to criminal and family law.  The unthinkable from twenty years ago is reality – potential Barristers unable to secure pupillages or stable positions with the LPC; and as for budding Solicitors, training contracts are as rare as unicorn fart flavoured jelly babies.  So currently you need ‘connections’.  See above!

What's happening now?

Returning to the proposed change.  Regional Law Societies are undertaking reviews to see what this means for their profession in the future, and what concerns those Very Important People already in practice.  Reports are due in the new year.

Even tentative murmurs of this has raised rather cross comments, with aspersions cast along the lines of “the profession is being thrown to the dogs…”

It’s a tricky one.  There are already so many ways into legal practice but higher education remains essential at the moment.  Will the apprenticeships move through Paralegal positions? Will you be sent to do a degree or a diploma? Will you end up with letters after your name? When will training start? Can you eventually become a Very Important Person despite having gone through a non-established route? 

First, let’s have agreement that a different way to regulate very large firms must be introduced. Mend what’s already frayed, then add another ingredient to the cake mixture.

 I wait to see, if this scheme sticks, which firm will take up the baton...