updated on 07 January 2014
The Law Gazette has recently produced an interesting article in relation to the number of students enrolled on the full-time Legal Practice Course, stating that this "has shrunk by 8.4% this year, reflecting awareness of the dearth of training contracts on offer". The article also states that "since 2008-09, the total number of students applying for LPCs has plummeted by 37.5%, from 10,933. In 2012-13 enrolments fell 4% to 5,673".
This article (and the subsequent comments section) raises a number of interesting questions around the reasons behind the fall in LPC numbers:
I cannot say that I have answers to all or any of these questions. However, it is difficult to argue that the market is not changing.
Picking up on a couple of the above, it appears that students are now taking much more note of their careers advisers who tend to be pretty realistic about the statistical chances of success (for all types of lawyer). I would suggest that this has to be a good thing. Having said that, it is important to note that careers advisers also emphasise the fact that not all students will be suited to large law firms, which tend to be the main source of LPC sponsorship. Many students feel that they have to apply to these types of firm in order to be able to become a qualified solicitor, regardless of whether they actually want to work for a large firm.
And a final question to pose - will an increase in paralegal and apprenticeship opportunities necessarily lead to a further reduction in the number of training contracts or will firms see those entering the profession via these routes in a different light? It is hard to predict.
These are interesting times for practicing lawyers and particularly for those who are aiming to enter the legal profession. Students and careers advisers have surely got their work cut out.
Chris Wilkinson is chair of the AGCAS Legal Profession Task Group and employability tutor at the York Law School.