Early career work experience survey results

More than three-fifths (61%) of respondents to a survey by the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division spent more than £20,000 on their legal education, and more than a third spent at least £25,000. This is a significant rise on a survey carried out 18 months ago, which found just over a third spent more than £20,000. Most of the respondents received financial help from family members as well as student loans. One quarter of respondents had completed more than six months’ unpaid work experience. Significant financial debt forced many to prioritise obtaining paid work experience over experience in preferred areas of law.