Trailblazer legal apprenticeship standards receive government approval

The department for business, innovation and skills (BIS) has published new assessment plans and standards for legal apprenticeships following ministerial approval.

Intended to pave the way to qualification as a chartered legal executive, solicitor or paralegal, and part of the Trailblazers Apprenticeship in Law, the new legal apprenticeship standards will shape this route into the profession from 2017.

Mandie Lavin, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), said: "These new, employer-led standards ensure the qualifications will be market driven and fit for purpose and we look forward to working with both legal businesses and learners on delivering these apprenticeships and continuing to encourage a more diverse profession."

Gun Judge, chair of the Trailblazers Legal Committee and resourcing manager at Addleshaw Goddard, said: "There has never been a better time to start a law apprenticeship. The Legal Trailblazer Scheme enhances the alternative to the traditional route into law - opening the doors to a more diverse talent stream entering the profession. Our apprentices create a huge contribution to the firm, and we will be looking to hire more."

In addition to the three regulators - the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and CILEx - the new standards have been developed by an employer-led group, including Addleshaw Goddard, Barclays, Browne Jacobson, Burges Salmon, Clyde & Co, DAC Beachcroft, Dentons, DWF, Eversheds, Gateley PLC, Kennedys, Lewis Silkin, Mayer Brown, Olswang, Pannone LLP, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Simmons & Simmons, Stephenson Harwood, Thomas Eggar and Withers.

For more on the background to this new route and for available positions, see our "What is a legal apprenticeship?" and "Legal apprentices" pages.