I think
most would agree that we should have a diverse legal profession.
This is
important across all levels. We need a strong vibrant profession that is in
touch with those that it represents. Those who come into the law now will be
the business leaders, legal thinkers and judges of the future. In any reasonable
society those in such positions need to be drawn from as broad a base of possible.
It is also
very important that talented lawyers are drawn from all across society and not
limited to one social group.
I have
written before about major concerns that the law is becoming a career option only
for the rich –
Lady Hale,
our most senior woman judge and former academic talked in 2013 about many who
aspired to a legal career they may never have.
A recent
report suggests that the situation is getting worse rather than better –
This study
reported by the Law Society Gazette found that 75% of top judges and QCs were
independently schooled. You are far more likely to become a QC if you went to
Oxbridge. Some say that the onus is on law firms to take the initiative. This
is clearly true and Allen Overy, mentioned in the article, do have an have
excellent initiatives to provide work experience for all students –
But such
initiatives can only play a limited role.
The abolition of minimum pay for
trainees has been a major disincentive for many. Why would any aspiring lawyer
want to run up debts of £50k and then find there is little or no chance of a training
contract which provides a sustainable wage? I was one that fortunate generation
who was able to go through academic and professional training with full state
support and no debt. I am one of many for whom the law would have been
inaccessible today.
A fundamental
question needs to be addressed. Do we want an inclusive profession? If so, then
all of us need to do what we can to remove rather than create obstacles.
Easing of
tuition fees, better funding and a realistic salary would be a start.
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