A number of law firms have signed a public pledge to ensure legal apprentices are treated equally with employees on training contracts. Firms signing the pledge, created by Norton Rose Fulbright, commit to demonstrating that the legal apprenticeships route is no less valuable that the traditional route to qualification.
Recruitment professionals will screen candidates in a ‘fair and inclusive’ way and assess their suitability based on experience, behaviour and competence. Hiring managers will assess CVs against the experience needed to fulfil the needs of the role rather than the academic or training route undertaken to qualify as a solicitor. Promotion and development policies will contain ‘fair and inclusive’ competencies that do not disadvantage candidates who have completed an alternative route to legal qualification.
The pledge has been signed by:
- Addleshaw Goddard
- Ashurst
- Burges Salmon
- Clifford Chance
- CMS
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- DAC Beachcroft
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Fenchurch Law
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Hogan Lovells
- Linklaters
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- RPC
- Simmons & Simmons
- Trowers & Hamlins
- Watson Farley & Williams
Read more about the pledge:
