Social welfare law training contracts on offer through new Justice First Fellowship Scheme

The Legal Education Foundation (LEF) has established the Justice First Fellowship Scheme to boost careers in social welfare law; in the first round of recruitment, seven training contracts will be available with host organisations in England and Scotland.

The first fellowships on offer are targeted at law graduates who have passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by 30 September 2014. In the future, the LEF hopes that the scheme will be opened to include barristers and paralegals. The host organisations are all registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to supervise trainees – they are:

• Coram Children’s Legal Centre (London)
• Coventry Law Centre
• Deighton Pierce Glynn (London)
• Govan Law Centre (Glasgow)
• Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit
• North Staffordshire and Stoke Citizens Advice Bureau
• Public Law Project (London)

During the training contract, the fellows will be expected to establish a project that will advance access to justice in some way. The seven successful applicants will also receive additional support and opportunities to contribute to the wider access to justice movement.

Competition for the seven fellowships is likely to be strong; applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to social welfare law and evidence of good academics.

Applications will be accepted online via the LEF website from 8 – 30 September 2014. The positions will commence in January 2015. More information is also available on LC.N Jobs.