If the Law Society were able to identify firms that unfairly discriminate against black and ethnic minority students when appointing trainees, there would be no case for a quota system (see [2004] Gazette, 2 September, 1).


So far as City firms are concerned, most require applicants to state their ethnic origin.



These firms should be able to provide the Law Society with statistics to show how far their actual intake of trainees reflects fairly the proportion of ethnic minority applicants who meet their minimum requirements.



Although 23% of legal practice course students may be non-white, the proportion applying to large company/ commercial firms may well be less, since many may wish to train only in smaller high street practices.



The main problem may well lie with the recruitment practices of all firms that do not require applicants to state their ethnic origin.



At present, there is no way the Law Society can identify which of these firms are treating ethnic minority applicants unfairly.



Brian Read, Sheffield