The Government Legal Department introduces 10-month placements for law students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
- These placements aim to improve accessibility to the legal profession at earlier academic stages.
- Students are set to work alongside government lawyers in areas like employment and litigation.
- Activities include prison visits, client relationship development, and drafting barrister instructions.
- Treasury Solicitor Susanna McGibbon emphasises the importance of accessibility to improve legal diversity.
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has launched a new initiative offering 10-month placements for law students hailing from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This programme is designed to make the legal profession more accessible to individuals at an earlier stage in their academic careers. The GLD has welcomed its inaugural cohort of students this month, as part of these ‘law sandwich placements’.
During their time at the GLD, students will be given the opportunity to work closely with government lawyers across various speciality areas, such as employment law and litigation. This hands-on experience not only provides practical exposure but also aims to develop essential skills necessary for a legal career.
The comprehensive work experience includes activities such as visiting prisons, building client relationships, handling negligence claims, creating document bundles, sourcing counsel, and drafting instructions for barristers. These varied tasks are intended to offer a well-rounded understanding of public sector legal work.
Treasury Solicitor Susanna McGibbon stated, “We can only start truly improving diversity of the legal profession when we improve accessibility to the sector early in people’s studies.” She expressed pride in the Government Legal Department’s leadership in providing students with crucial work experience through initiatives like these. Such schemes are envisioned to not only attract students towards governmental roles but also within the broader legal sector.
The Government Legal Department’s initiative is a significant step towards fostering diversity and early accessibility in the legal profession.
