Each year the weekend before Good Friday marks the annual conference of the Association of Law Teachers (ALT).This year's conference highlighted many of the issues facing law schools, including increased student numbers, stretched resources and graduate career patterns.'Too many law graduates seeking to become solicitors' is a view expounded by some senior members of the Law Society.

'Too many law students' is a sentiment that many law teachers may also espouse.Although these may seem to be similar sentiments, recent research by the ALT has indicated that law lecturers are not necessarily seeking a reduction in the numbers of undergraduates.More law graduates do not necessarily mean longer queues to join the legal profession.

Demand for places on the legal practice course and the common professional exam is down.

Even in the 1980s, over 30% of law graduates did not consider a career in the profession and that figure is now nearer 50%.This is happening in other countries, like Australia, where only around 60% of first year students intend to go into the profession.

There is growing recognition that the skills developed by the academic study of law are valuable and are transferable to many areas of employment.In Australia, undergraduate law students consider that the study of law widens their career options.Information technology is having an impact on law teaching, even though the investment in such technology is not always readily available for law schools.

And it is not just tools like LEXIS or CD-ROM.

Developments in hypertext at the law technology centre at Warwick University are changing teaching methods by making IT more interactive.Pressures on library budges are forcing everyone to consider the advantages of modern technology.Like many firms, law schools are also making good use of the World Wide Web and have their own pages.Recent research has indicated the success of the LPC as the replacement for the Law Society finals.

Now changes to the Bar vocational course offer the opportunity for rationalisation of the vocational stage for the legal profession.It has been suggested that the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct will support such a development.

However, in following this path we will not be leading the way.

Other jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, already have integrated training for solicitors and barristers.The response of law lecturers to the changing environment in which they work has been positive.

The desire to share experiences with colleagues from the UK and abroad in order to identify good practice is strong.The ALT conference has attracted speakers and delegates from over 11 countries.

The problems facing the UK with regard to legal education are not unique and neither are the solutions.Both the legal profession and law schools are being squeezed by 'market forces'.

A shared interest in the study of law should help both parties to co-operate for their mutual benefit.The idea of partnership being promoted by the Law Society whereby firms and law teachers will work closely together for their mutual benefit is opportune.

We need to ensure that the panic by some in the profession does not taint the rewarding study of law for all!