Changes to 'time-to-count' arrangements

Following a Law Society consultation on the future of the training contract and the subsequent findings and recommendations of the training contract review group approved by the Society's Council on 2 June 1999, a series of changes to the training contract arrangements will be made to have effect from 1 July 2000.

One of the principal reforms is a change to current time-to-count arrangements.

The review group concluded that the current time-to-count provisions be simplified and that the amount of time to count that an individual can apply for be restricted.

In addition the review group recommended that the decision about whether the experience of a potential trainee is sufficient to reduce the length of the training contract should be a matter for the training establishment itself.

From 1 July 2000:X Provided the relevant legal experience has been gained in the previous three years, potential trainees may be granted no more than a six-month reduction in the length of their training contract at half equivalent (for example, an applicant must have 12 months relevant legal experience to qualify for a six-month reduction in the length of their training contract).X Training establishments will be responsible for considering time-to-count applications themselves following guidance from the Society based on the skills standards and application procedures contained within a revised Authorisation and Trainee Solicitors' Guide.

X In the event of a monitoring visit, training establishments may be required to provide to the Law Society relevant time-to-count documentation to show that appropriate factors have been taken into account in certifying any reductions in the length of a trainee's training contract.

Transitional arrangements:All time-to-count experience commencing on or after 1 July 2000 will be processed under the new arrangements described.Any time-to-count experience commencing before 1 July 2000 will be treated in its entirety under the old time-to-count arrangements enclosed with this note or obtainable from the Society's regulation and information services on 0870 606 2555.These transitional arrangements will end on 31 December 2002.After 31 December 2002 only training establishments and not the Law Society will be responsible for considering time to count arrangements.Trainees will be granted no more than a six-month reduction in the length of their training contract.Copies of the findings and recommendations of the training contract review group are available upon request from Paul Milton at the Law Society, Ipsley Court, Berrington Close, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 OTD; DX: 19114 REDDITCH; or via e.mail: paul.milton@lawsociety.org.uk