Trainee solicitors in Scotland are to receive a pay rise following an increase in the Law Society of Scotland’s mandatory and recommended rates of pay.
From 1 April, the Law Society’s Council has agreed that only trainee contracts that pay at least the voluntary living wage rate of £8.25 an hour, as set by the Living Wage Foundation, will be registered by the Society.
The recommended pay rate for first year trainee solicitors will increase to £17,545 and to £21,012 for second year trainees from June 2016. These recommended rates of pay are not compulsory.
The mandatory and recommended increases were decided following research into trainee remuneration. The Law Society of Scotland’s survey of 650 solicitors, students and trainees found that 71% of respondents are in favour of increasing minimum pay to at least the voluntary living wage rate.
Christine McLintoc, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Pay rates for trainee solicitors are an issue of fundamental importance to the reputation of the profession.
“We have carefully considered the issues involved and agreed that it is vital to the wellbeing of trainee solicitors and to the long-term ability of the profession to attract talent to raise both the recommended and mandatory minimum pay rates.
“We need to do what we can to ensure that we continue to attract high calibre individuals to the profession, which includes maintaining competitive pay rates.”