I was interested to read Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva's outline of the new objectives for the training regime (see [2005] Gazette, 16 December, 9), and can only hope that a common-sense approach is to be part of the scheme.

A couple of years ago, I applied to the Law Society for a waiver of training contract under the provisions of rule 29 (which stipulates that fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) are not required to undertake a training contract).


My qualifications at that time were: a 2:2 law degree and a commendation on the legal practice course (LPC) in 1998. I had been in practice as a conveyancer for five years and was a qualified licensed conveyancer. I was also about to qualify as an ILEX fellow. I was told that I would have to repeat the LPC or find a training contract. No reasons for this were provided, despite requests.


It is only through the good graces of the firm I work for that I did not leave the profession entirely. I was fortunate enough to qualify earlier this year, after completing a training contract.


Please, let us have a little common sense in the new rules, while making sure that we maintain the standards of the profession.


Paul Edgecombe, Plymouth