Two Year Vocational Training - Introduction
After successful completion of the degree and diploma, all intending solicitors must serve a two year post-diploma training contract with a practising solicitor in Scotland. The Society recommends rates for trainee salaries and the majority of firms apply these rates. From 1 June 2009, the recommended rates are £15,500 for a first year trainee and £18,550 for a second year trainee. The rates are reviewed annually. The recommended rate from 1 June 2009 remains the same as the previous year's rate. The decision not to recommend an increase for 2009 was taken after careful deliberation and consideration of the current economic climate and its impact upon the legal profession.
Trainees must complete logbooks detailing the work they have been exposed to. The Society requires all trainers to review progress quarterly. This forms the basis of the ongoing assessment process known as the Test of Professional Competence.
After six months of training, trainees are required to attend a Professional Competence Course, which comprises 36 hours of core requirements and 18 hours of electives. Attendance at the course is an integral part of the traineeship.
After completing the first year of training, a trainee can, subject to satisfactory progress and with the agreement of the training firm, apply to be admitted as a solicitor in order to gain valuable experience of appearing in court.
At the end of the training, the training firm will be required to discharge the training contract.
