Surprise increase in practising certificate numbers

The number of solicitors with practising certificates (PCs) continued its relentless rise in 2009, despite predictions in many quarters that the recession would herald a decline.

Figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority show that the number of practising solicitors totalled 112,589 at December 31, having risen by an annual average of 4% since 1979.

However, figures in the Law Society’s annual statistical report, published today, show that although women now account for 45% of practising solicitors, a sizeable gulf still exists between men and women when it comes to partnership prospects.

Even after the figures have been adjusted to equalise levels of experience, far more men achieve partnership status. Of solicitors in private practice with 10-19 years’ PQE, the band within which most partners and sole practitioners fall, 75% of men are partners or sole practitioners, compared with only 47% of women.

Across private practice as a whole, 21% of women are partners, compared with 49% of men.

Clare McConnell, chairwoman of the Association of Women Solicitors, said the disparity does a ‘disservice to women solicitors and their individual talents, and to the profession as a whole’.

Despite the economic downturn, the number of practising solicitors rose 2% last year, from 109,952 in December 2008 to 112,589 at the end of 2009. The number of solicitors holding a PC has risen 17% since 2003, when there were 95,869 practising solicitors.

Law Society president Robert Heslett said: ‘The economic downturn hasn’t had the impact on the number of PC holders that we all feared, but a cautious planning assumption was prudent.’

The annual statistical report also showed that the number of training contracts registered in 2008/09 fell by almost 8% on the previous year, to 5,809, due to the impact of the recession. More than one-fifth of new entrants to the profession transferred from overseas, with the highest numbers coming from Australia and New Zealand.

The report showed that male trainees were more likely to get placements in the very large firms, and so received average starting salaries which were 8%higher than those received by women.

Heidi Sandy, chairwoman of the Junior Lawyers Division, said the fall in training contracts was due to the deferral of training contracts in the previous year and smaller firms’ inability to offer places.

Heslett said Chancery Lane anticipated the fall in training contract places and launched an information campaign for LPC students last year to inform them of the challenges.