STUDY THE FIGURES

I found the article 'Can't pay won't work' (see [2001] Gazette, 1 November, 24) concerning the difficulty recruiting new solicitors into legal aid work disheartening, especially given that the firm I work for does a large amount of legal aid work.The article makes two main points: first, that legal aid work is underfunded; second, that trainee solicitors, often saddled with debt, want to earn a reasonable salary as quickly as possible.I believe that the Law Society is trying its hardest to press the government to increase the rates of legal aid available, and this is an issue which, to a large extent, is out of the hands of solicitors.However, something the Law Society can and should consider doing is to review the way that solicitors are trained.

Several decades ago, solicitors trained 'on the job' and studied part-time.Over the past few decades, the approach has been to study full-time and then gain practical experience afterwards.

I believe that the time has now come for a move back to on-the-job training studying.Accountants have trained this way for many years, and it has worked for them.

By allowing solicitors to study and train part-time, it will reduce a major financial obstacle that currently discourages heavily indebted graduates and people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds from pursuing a career in the law.I am training to be a solicitor by the 'back door' route of becoming a legal executive first and then studying part-time.

I cannot afford to study full-time.

I believe I will be a better solicitor for taking this route.

Now is the time for change.Philip Evans, Hull