Indebted to the law

I finish my part-time legal practice course in June and I am more than 20,000 in debt, despite receiving family support and being lucky enough to have a supportive partner with a good job who pays the rent.The bank no longer treats me as a student and it is strict with extending my overdraft when I need it.

When (if) I get a training contract it will not even cover childcare costs, never mind paying off my professional studies loan, so I will still be dependent on my partner.Eventually, of course, it will all be worthwhile as my earnings rise - but I will still be paying loans off into my thirties.Many young people cannot afford to do the LLB, never mind the LPC.

If there is no help for them, the law is going to return to its old stereotype of middle-class sons of middle-class lawyers.

Cathy Rogan, LPC student, University of Westminster, London