Training contract

A training contract is a compulsory period of practical training in a law firm for law graduates before they can qualify as a solicitor in the United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong. A full-time training contract is normally for two years, and applicants must have first completed the Legal Practice Course. During this training period, they are known as trainee solicitors.

The barrister's equivalent would be twelve months' pupillage under a pupilmaster, in barristers' chambers.

Trainee solicitors and training contracts were formerly known as articled clerks and articles of clerkship, respectively.

Route

To obtain a training contract, a graduate must apply for an opening for such position at a law firm. A major problem is that every year the number of applicants greatly outnumbers the number of available contracts. Thus, many graduates are unsuccessful and are left only with large debts accrued during their studies.

Alternative routes

Legal executives

A training contract is not normally required for anyone qualifying without a law degree; non-graduates typically advance toward qualification by passing exams administered by the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) – all the while working under the supervision of a solicitor.