Law Society’s Gazette, September 1960

Letter from a council memberIf ours were an overcrowded profession, I doubt whether I could be persuaded to take an articled clerk without a premium, nor could I readily accept as equitable the proposal that the clerk should be paid during the time I am training him. Unfortunately, this is not the true picture. Too many solicitors, through inability to obtain adequate qualified assistance, work unreasonably long hours at high pressure – contrary both to their wishes and to the best interests of their health. If the volume of work which the solicitor is expected to undertake continues to increase, it is unlikely that recruitment at its existing level will be sufficient to maintain even the present position.

While other factors may contribute to the present lack of enthusiasm to enter the solicitors’ branch of the legal profession, I am afraid there can be no doubt that the attractive immediate financial inducements offered by industry and commerce and the grants which can be obtained by undergraduates and, in particular, by medical students in respect of their hospital training, are considerations which understandably influence a parent.

It seems to me, not only that we make a poor start but that we can hardly be said to be running in the same race if we allow the impression to remain that anyone wishing to become a solicitor will be required to pay a premium and must also be prepared to remain dependent on his parents until he qualifies.Edward Shaw Russell