Applications open today
Applications to a legal education charity’s training contract programme open today with its highest-ever number of spots up for grabs.
Now in its sixth year, The Legal Education Foundation’s (TLEF) Justice First Fellowship aims to support the next generation of social welfare lawyers by sponsoring them through their training contracts.
This year, training spots are being offered at 18 social justice organisations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They include nine law centres, two law firms, specialist legal charities and advice agencies. A full list can be found at the bottom of this article.
Successful applicants must have passed Legal Practice Course (separate requirements for Northern Ireland and Scotland) and have a “proven commitment to social justice”. This year’s salaries, set by the host organisation, range from £18,000 to £27,000.
Matthew Smerdon, TLEF CEO, said:
“The Justice First Fellowship is playing a vital role in creating the next generation of committed and expert social justice lawyers. As we enter the sixth year of the scheme, we are delighted that this is our biggest solicitor recruitment round yet. The calibre of candidates has been consistently high since the outset of the scheme, and we are looking forward to an equally outstanding intake this year.”
Alongside their training, rookies will set up and run a project aimed at increasing access to justice, which TLEF says will give them “invaluable hands-on experience at an early stage in their career”. The charity will also provide additional training in skills such as fundraising, business planning, and communications.
Applications for this year’s recruitment round open today and will close on the 16 September. Trainees will take up their posts in January 2020 or April 2020 for Northern Irish positions.
Justice First Fellowship host organisations 2019:
Brighton Housing Trust; Castlemilk Law and Money Advice Centre; Clan Childlaw; Community Law Partnership; Greater Manchester Law Centre; Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre; Harrow Law Centre; Howard League for Penal Reform; Just for Kids Law; Law Centre (Northern Ireland); Legal Advice Centre (University House); Matthew Gold & Co; Norfolk Community Law Service; North East Law Centre; Shelter; Southwark Law Centre; Speakeasy Law Centre; Tower Hamlets Law Centre.
