Training Contract's T&Cs?

Thirdfox

What does a training contract entail usually? And how much of a contract is it ?

Clarifying the question - if a student gets offered a training contract and then want to switch to a different firm before commencing the original training contract is that possible? Or are there contractual "lock-in" provisions that tie you to a firm once you sign?

It seems from the McCann deferring story that firms can defer trainees from starting at will. But can potential trainees jump ship from one firm to another if they want to? Do firms "poach" trainees from one another?

Sangre

Technically firms can't defer at will as they have entered a contract with certain terms, one of them being the commencement date. However, like many things occuring in this recession people acquiese to these unilateral changes.

Thirdfox

I see - and what about the other way around? Can people also jump from one firm's training contract offer to one later in time? Or are there legal provisions against doing so (nevermind whether that would be morally/strategically wise or not).

dats_right

I am having problems logging onto the Law Society site this morning so can't find the exact procedure, but basically it is fairly common for trainees to switch firms during or before their 24 month traineeship period. As far as I know, you need to fill out some forms and submit them to the Traineeship section of the Law Society requesting that your indentures be assigned to the new firm.

Thirdfox

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I'll have a look on the law society's website myself (is it in a members only restricted section or can the general public view it too?)

dats_right

I've PM'd you the stuff from internal site.