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Law firms, whether large or not, are always able to find the money to pay solicitors and partners a living wage. All this policy is asking for is the same for trainees. It is most definitely possible. As somebody who has been searching for a training contract for over three years I can well understand the frustrations and fears that it will reduce the jobs available, but it is only right that when we do get training contracts we can at least hope that we will be paid a living wage. Ideally it would be a guarantee.

It is very difficult for people in my position to be able to speak up in favour of this policy given the type of reactions above. For that reason I am very glad to see the Junior Lawyers Division doing so - it is their role to represent our interests and so it is brilliant to see that in practice.

In terms of improving diversity, of course this measure alone will not result in diversity in law - much more needs to be done. It is one measure which should compliment many other methods to improve diversity. However, the financial barriers to a career in law undoubtedly remain overwhelming and are an obstacle to those less affluent. There are increasingly alternative routes to law available, however unfortunately these continue to be less respected by many firms than the traditional LPC and training contract route. It cannot be fair that those less affluent are made to go down routes with less chance of qualification whilst those financially better off have an increased chance of qualifying. Any attempts to improve diversity must therefore include a recommended if not mandatory minimum trainee salary to make this a more accessible route - and that has to be the living wage if it is to be in any way meaningful.

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