Matches moves by Freshfields and Linklaters 💷
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has confirmed future trainees completing the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) will receive £17,000 in financial support.
The maintenance grant is available to those commencing their studies from September onwards and will be split across two payments of £8,500, according to an email seen by Legal Cheek.
The £17,000 sum matches that dished out by fellow City Consortium members Freshfields and Linklaters, whilst Slaughter and May will provide £16,000.
As a member of the Consortium, HSF’s future trainees will complete a bespoke, 11-month SQE prep programme with BPP University Law School, which as revealed by Legal Cheek last month, includes a mini-training contract with a virtual law firm.
The Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2022 shows HSF recruits around 60 trainees each year and offers those undertaking the Legal Practice Course (LPC) a recently improved maintenance grant of £12,500
Away from the Consortium, Clifford Chance — which has SQE training deals in place with The University of Law — will provide £12,500 in financial support.
News of the uplift comes a little under a week after Baker McKenzie revealed it will provide an additional £4,000 in support to TC-holders completing the LPC and experiencing financial difficulties. This grant, dubbed ‘Baker Boost’, comes on top of the £10,000 in maintenance already provided as standard by the firm.
UPDATE: 2:45pm, 1 June
Slaughter and May has confirmed its SQE maintenance now sits at £17,000 following an increase.