Law Society fears reforms will damage the legal brand

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is proposing to reform legal training to improve access to the profession for people from more diverse backgrounds.

It is currently consulting on proposals that include removing the requirement for a degree, rethinking the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or dropping training contracts.

Colin Gilbert, president of Leeds Law Society, said: “If we push ahead with these vague, confusing and poorly considered reforms, we will irreparably damage the UK legal brand and that will have a huge impact on the economy nationally and here in Leeds.”

Leeds Law Society said it would raise its concerns with Jane Malcolm, executive director of the SRA, at a debate today at BPP Law School.

The society conducted a survey of members on the proposals which found that half weren’t even aware of the proposed reforms.

The majority welcomed reforms to the system, but 93 per cent of respondents wanted to keep the degree requirement, 74 per cent wanted to retain the LPC and 93 per cent wanted the training contract to remain. Mr Gilbert said: “This isn’t about the legal profession corralling the wagons to keep people out, this is about driving standards higher and ensuring everyone has access to top quality justice.

“We want to see people from more diverse backgrounds joining the profession – no firm wants to miss out on someone with talent, regardless of background.

“However, there are already a number of initiatives to make sure talent can come through, like the apprenticeship schemes being spearheaded by a number of firms in Leeds.

“Our members are clear that these plans will drive down standards and it feels like a clumsy attempt to drive down fees.”

A spokesman for the SRA said that the proposals were still under consultation, that they will provide consistent standards and create equal opportunities.