Trainee Solicitors – Investing for the future

The Law Society of Scotland have recommended that trainee solicitors should receive a minimum salary increase in 2019/20 of £500. This will mean a minimum salary of £19,500 for first year trainees and £22,500 for second year trainees.

The recommended rate is only advisory but sets the benchmark for member firms. Although employers have discretion in the salary levels they choose for trainees, the Law Society of Scotland will not accept registrations for training contracts where the salary level is less than the living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.

Trainee solicitors are the future of the profession and we all no doubt remember the adverse impact on recruitment of qualified solicitors following on from a reduction in trainee appointments on the back of the financial crisis in 2008.

An increase of 8% in registered training contracts in the 2017/18 practice year is good news for the profession, and confirmation that firms are investing for the future.

For assistance with your business plans and budgets, please contact our EQ Professions team at professions@eqaccountants.co.uk or by calling one of our offices.