Huge levels of debt among law students is deterring many from entering the profession, with graduates finishing the legal practice course (LPC) up to 37,000 in the red.

A survey of more than 1,000 undergraduates conducted by University College Northampton found that 92% of law students planned a career in the law in their first year.

However, only 29% of the same students had taken any steps to apply for a training contract by the end of their third year autumn term.

Students cited massive debt levels and fearsome competition for places as reasons for deciding not to continue in the law.

One quarter of students estimated that they would spend the next eight to 12 years paying off the 10,000 to 12,000 average debts that the government calculates are accumulated at university, while 23% thought it would take four to eight years.

The prospect of an additional 15,000 to 25,000 in tuition and living expenses to complete the LPC is putting the law out of reach for many students.

Law tutor Mike Cuthbert, author of the report, said: 'Debt is an important factor, particularly because of the risk of spending so much money and not securing a training contract.

Students who do not have sponsorship for their LPC are very aware that there are more students chasing training contracts than there are contracts available.

They see the risk factor as very high.'

The CPE route to the profession - whereby students take a one-year legal conversion course after studying a non-law degree - is being closed to those from poorer backgrounds because of the 2,500 to 3,000 tuition fees.

'Students from low-income families are forced to decide whether they want a career in the law much earlier, when they choose their degree subject' said Mr Cuthbert.

Students from many universities are also deterred by the perception that large City firms will only offer training contracts to graduates from the 'top six' institutions - including Oxbridge, Bristol and Durham - attended by many existing partners.

'The government wants the profession to reflect society, with more individuals from ethnic minorities and low-income backgrounds,' said Mr Cuthbert.

In our survey, 67% of respondents' parents did not have a university degree.

These are precisely the people who the government is talking about.'

See Editorial, (Gazette [2003] 9 October, page 14)

Rachel Rothwell