SRA’s decision to withdraw from graduate recruitment code met with widespread disappointment
updated on 05 March 2015
To the dismay of law firm partners, recruiters, junior lawyers and careers advisers, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced its intention to withdraw its signature from the graduate recruitment code which promotes fair, non-exploitative recruitment practices.
The code sets a timetable for the recruitment of trainee solicitors, stipulating that firms cannot offer training contracts to candidates before 1 September of the final undergraduate year of study. As The Law Society Gazette reports, this is to protect candidates by ensuring that they are able to explore all options without being pressured to commit to a firm at a stage which would be too early for them to make an informed decision. It also protects the interests of candidates by stipulating that once an applicant has accepted an offer, she or he must withdraw all applications to other firms so that those training contracts can be offered to others. The code is voluntary and non-enforceable, but is nonetheless adhered to by most firms.
Two of the other principle signatories to the code, the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division and Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), have released a joint statement expressing their disappointment at the SRA’s decision and their intention to secure other signatories to ensure the code’s survival. Meanwhile, The Lawyer reports that reaction from law firm partners and graduate recruiters has been negative without exception, with many concerned that the SRA’s withdrawal will encourage unscrupulous firms to exploit candidates and damage diversity in the profession.
The SRA did not consult with law firms at any point during its decision making and nor will it do so in the future. Crispin Passmore, the SRA’ executive director for policy, said: “We have taken the decision to withdraw from the code on the basis that it is not appropriate to be involved in recruitment practices and procedures. A further announcement will follow in relation to the exact timing of our withdrawal.”
