The Law Society has stepped in to stop law firms leaving trainees on tenterhooks over whether they will be kept on after qualification.
According to the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD), some newly qualified lawyers are only told at the eleventh hour that they will be kept on, while others find themselves unemployed without enough notice period to secure jobs elsewhere. Moreover, some firms are reluctant to tell trainees when a decision will be made.
In response to a request by the JLD, the Law Society has agreed to implement new guidance on retention notice periods for trainees. It will advise firms to tell trainees whether or not they are being kept on at least eight weeks in advance of their expected admission date.
The guidance will also advise firms to give trainees the time at which they will be informed of the decision at least 12 weeks in advance.
