Traineeship and Indentures Question

irishmantom

Hi All

I have a TC with a Top 5 firm. I realise how absolutely lucky I am.

However, I'd like to know something about the contract and the lodgement of indentures. Once I sign, is there essentially "no way out"? Let's say I sign, but for whatever reason I decide to leave, would I have to repay fees? At what stage does the firm actually pay my fees?

Also, does it happen that trainees just decide to pack it up mid-TC and leave? Any help would be much appreciated.

chops018

https://www.lawsociety.ie/Trainees/In-office-Training/Moving-Offices/

irishmantom

Bump

chops018

Did you not click on the link I posted? It gives a lot of info for your query and the process of changing firms mid training i.e. you're not bound by the indentures.

The only people who can tell you about paying back fees is the firm you're with, or else if they gave you a contract themselves then it might be in there.

It really is as simple as looking at the link I posted and asking the firm their position on releasing trainees mid contract, especially regarding fees etc. I'd highly imagine that they have a clawback clause in the contract of employment with you.

crystalmice

The link Chops posted has all the info you need from the law society perspective.

In terms of whether this is something that happens often, I trained in a Top 5 firm and I never heard of anyone leaving a traineeship mid way through for any reason other than due to illness. It isn't uncommon for people to go off the solicitor idea while training, but in a top 5 firm where you are well paid most will just stick it out for the 2.5 years.

It's a bit more common for people training in small firms to leave or move firm mid way through training if they weren't getting paid or something.

Plenty of people sign traineeship contracts and then change their mind before they actually start, particularly given the length of time between accepting a traineeship and starting in Blackhall. The firm won't have lost any fees until you actually start PPC1 so you are highly unlikely to be penalised if you pull out at that stage.

I wouldn't worry too much about this - the 2.5 years training flys past with all the stints in Blackhall. If you did start a traineeship and then try to leave after a year or so, even if the Firm clawed back some of the fees from you (which I wouldnt be sure they would do no matter why you left) you would still keep whatever wages you had earned. Fees are paid in two instalments, one at PPC1 and one at PPC2, so provided you left before PPC2 you wouldn't be in the hole for the full €15k.

irishmantom

Im not thinking of switching firms, its just something urgent might come up during my traineeship. Having to pay back huge fees is my main concern. I will try to get the answer from the contract. Thanks for the replies.