Having now completed the legal practice course (LPC), I am compelled to express the exasperation I feel with the current trainee recruitment procedures adopted by the majority of City law firms.

The practice of recruiting trainee solicitors two years in advance is biased against mature students. In most instances, they will have built up a strong CV and do not need to take gap years or add to their work experience, and certainly will not want to prolong qualification any longer than is necessary.


Deferring entry into the profession by two years is an unnecessary and unwelcome delay for mature students. This could be avoided if firms recognised that there are many talented mature applicants who, on completion of the LPC, will require training contracts with immediate starts. Firms could cater for those individuals who, for numerous reasons, are applying late in the day, by setting aside a few vacancies.


As a 30-year-old Asian mother of two young children with strong academics and an excellent work record, it is not my diverse background that is posing the problem in securing a training contract. Actually finding City firms to apply to where I can start working immediately would be half the battle won.


Raunuk Wahiwala, Ilford