Top UK law firms unite to launch social mobility scheme

Published on 23 Sep 2011 under category: legal

On 10th September 2011 a group of top UK Law Firms formed together to provide work experience for state school students.

The scheme under “Prime” requires 23 member firms to provide 30-35 hours work experience, and to commit to maintaining a relationship with the students even after the work experience has ended. The Firms must also provide financial support to the students during their training programme.

The concept was formulated by David Morley of Allen & Overy and has since gained the support of former MP for Darlington Alan Milburn. Milburn recognised the lack of social mobility and emphasises that certain sections of our “society who play a part in the problem, and who have a stake in finding a solution, need to take collective responsibility and work together to provide meaningful solutions.”

The scheme is the first step to giving people from all backgrounds the opportunity in getting work placements and giving them that vital first experience of the profession. A study carried out for The Lawyer in 2009 revealed that lawyers are more likely to come from a privileged background than any other profession. The main focus of this scheme is to close that gap and give students the opportunity to gain experience in the profession.

Cubism Law, Head of Marketing Ian Brumpton commented, "This is a welcome step indeed, it's important that the lawyers of the future reflect the full diversity of the society they operate in and to do that we need to recruit and train talented young people from all backgrounds."