Information For Masters Of Trainee Solicitors Attending The IPLS
INFORMATION FOR MASTERS and SECOND YEAR TRAINEES ON COMPLETION OF APPRENTICESHIP
The
Society is looking to support Masters and Trainees to ensure that where
possible Second Year Trainees are able to complete their training
within their current two-year period of apprenticeship to enable to
apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors from 2 September 2020
onwards in accordance with usual procedure.
However,
Second Year Trainees are reminded that completion of the apprenticeship
is just one element of the eligibility requirements for admission.
Second Year Trainees will need to complete and pass the Solicitors
Accounts’ Course which will be delivered before September 2020. Trainees
are also required to have passed all exams, submitted affidavits
regarding their apprenticeship, be signed off by their Master, met the
character and fitness requirement, and have generally complied with the
regulations.
Second
Year Trainee solicitors, whether on “temporary furlough” or not, need
to
have access to training between now and the end of their
apprenticeship. This will include private study by the Trainee. The
Society is looking to make available additional materials to assist
Masters and Trainees
REMOTE TRAINING
Where
trainees are not in the office, training may be delivered remotely,
provided adequate supervision is in place through the firm or training
organisation eg daily calls, or regular email check-ins. Masters are
still required to complete an affidavit of Master at the end of the
apprenticeship. Given the current
circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, where training is
being delivered and supervised remotely and where the Master is
satisfied with the progress of the apprentice and prepared to complete
an affidavit of Master, the fact that training is being delivered
remotely will not of itself mean that an extension of apprenticeship is
required.
“TEMPORARY FURLOUGH”
Where
firms do place trainees on “temporary furlough”, they should have
regard to the current government guidance regarding the scheme generally
and
what training which can be undertaken during a period of furlough: “A
furloughed employee can take part in volunteer work or training, as
long as it does not provide services to or generate revenue for, or on
behalf of your organisation.”
However, “If
workers are required to for example, complete training courses whilst
they are furloughed, then they must be paid at least the
NLW/NMW [National Living wage/ National Minimum Wage] for the time spent
training, even if this is more than the 80% of their wage that will be
subsidised”. If Masters do put trainees on furlough the Society expects Masters to continue with training albeit reduced
during this period.
Masters are still required to complete an affidavit of Master at the end of apprenticeship.
Given
the current circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, provided
there is evidence of a level of training acceptable to the Society while
on being on “temporary furlough” and provided the Master is satisfied
with the progress of the apprentice and prepared to complete an
affidavit of Master at the end of the apprenticeship, a “temporary
furlough” will not of itself mean that an extension of apprenticeship is
required.