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I have mixed feelings about this.

I am about half way through my training contract at a small firm and enjoying it very much. I get to assist on complex matters and I am getting exposure to some good quality work. I have no pressure, people take the time to explain things to me and I think my knowledge has really improved in this atmosphere.

Before being offered my training contract, I worked for Hill Dickinson and then DWF as a paralegal for around 3 years. I worked incredibly hard and it was a case of sink or swim as I was given large caseloads with virtually no experience. As a result of all the overtime and extra work I put in, my knowledge of litigation and the CPR is just as good as the other solicitors I worked with.

Ultimately I knew I was never going to be offered a TC with either of these firms despite having good grades and self funded the LPC. I was extremely lucky to be offered one eventually and I suspect it was largely attributable to my hands on fee earning experience.

I am all for adding routes into the profession and the old 'articles' way of training solicitors makes sense.

On the other hand it is also disheartening to have worked so hard to get a training contract to find out now that it is no longer necessary.

I think that it is quite right that concerns are raised about increasing the number of solicitors at a time when there are not a great deal of jobs around.

And a final thought, when candidates are asked at interview 'where did you do your training contract?', I suspect that solicitors who have not gone down the TC route will be at a disadvantage.