Exclusive: £3,000 more than Allen & Overy, Linklaters and Slaughter and May
Clifford Chance and Freshfields have boosted their Legal Practice Course (LPC) maintenance grants by a whopping 43% each, Legal Cheek can reveal.
Future trainees at the magic circle duo will now receive £10,000 in living support during their LPC, a hike of £3,000 (43%). Soon-to-be rookies at both outfits must complete an accelerated version of the vocational course (seven months instead of the traditional 12) at BPP Law School.
While Freshfields declined to comment on the maintenance increase, a spokesperson for Clifford Chance told Legal Cheek:
“We are always committed to providing exceptional training and support for our future trainees.”
It’s worth noting that both firms cover LPC course fees too, which in BPP’s Holborn branch cost just shy of £16,000. The firms also provide separate maintenance grants for future trainees who are required to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Legal Cheek’s Firms Most List 2018 shows Clifford Chance and Freshfields provide GDL maintenance grants of £8,000 and £7,250 respectively.
The boosts will come as welcome news to training contract hunters and holders alike. This is not least because many City firms require their future trainees to study in London where living costs are much higher compared to the rest of the UK. Plus, the accelerated nature of the course makes it difficult for students to undertake part-time work during their LPC (some firms even prohibit it), so the maintenance grant is a lifeline.
While Clifford Chance and Freshfields move to pay five-figure maintenance grants, will other magic circlers follow suit?
Well, Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May both confirmed to Legal Cheek that they currently give future recruits £7,000 while they’re completing their LPCs at BPP. Meanwhile, Linklaters — which has a training deal in place with The University of Law — also provides a £7,000 living allowance. The trio also covers LPC course fees and offers substantial GDL maintenance loans.