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• September 2008
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Get a Legal Training Contract Grant of £30,000!

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) provides funding to support the training of new legal aid solicitors. The package includes over £30,000 per grant.

Need some funding? The Legal Services Commission (LSC) runs a grant scheme offering over £30,000 per grant! This covers tuition fees for the LPC and PSC, plus a 75% contribution to salary costs for the 2 year Training Contract.

The Training Contract Grants Scheme (TCG) was introduced to support Legal Aid organizations in their recruitment process. The LSC currently provides 590 grants to support the training of new Legal Aid solicitors.

What Does the Grant Cover?

If you are able to secure a TCG, it will provide up to 75% of your salary during the 2 year Training Contract. The package also includes payment of tuition fees for the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Professional Skills Course (PSC). The grant will NOT cover any additional costs such as exam re-sits or living expenses.

NOTE: If you have already completed the LPC, the grant will not cover the tuition fees retrospect. Also, if you are starting your second year of a Part-Time LPC when the grant is awarded, only the second year's fees will be covered.

How Do I Apply?

Grants are awarded to solicitor and not-for-profit organizations which are committed to Legal Aid work. You will need to apply via the successful organizations. You cannot apply for a Grant directly from the LSC.

For a current list of Grant Awarded Organizations, follow this link: -

http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/public/training_contract_grants.asp

The list can be located under the Documents tab, entitled "Training Grants Recipients 2007". There are also a number of other useful guides and articles in this section.

You will need to contact the relevant organizations and apply for a TCG via their recruitment process. You could also contact Kim Moores (TCG Coordinator) for a list of successful organizations; email kim.moores@legalservices.gov.uk or phone 0161 244 5027.

The 2007 Grants scheme was finalized in September 2007. The 2008 scheme will commence in June of this year and should be finalized in September 2008.

What Are the Conditions of the Grant?

If you are lucky enough to be recruited under the TCG scheme you MUST:

• Agree to take up a law Training Contract with the relevant organization
• Agree to spend an additional 2 years with the organization after you qualify
• Sign a Three-Way Agreement with the Legal Services Commission

You will be expected to commence your training contract after the successful completion of an LPC. It is possible to defer the Training Contract for up to a year, so long as all involved parties are agreed. However, if you fail to take up a Training Contract, your LPC grant will be recouped and you will be forced to pay the tuition fees.

During your Training Contract, at least 50% of you time will be spent working on Legal Aid cases. Also, at least 30% of your 2 year post-qualification work will also be spent on legal aid cases. In addition, you will need to sign a Three-Way Agreement with the Legal Services Commission. An example of this agreement can be found via the LSC web-link above.

Are TCGs Applicable to Me?

If you are hoping to train as a legal aid solicitor, the TCG Scheme is tailored to your needs. It offers an ideal path into your chosen profession and gives the security of financial support along the way.

If you are unsure about which direction you want to take after your law degree, Legal Aid is a sector in demand. The TCG Scheme was introduced to encourage more newly qualified solicitors into the Legal Aid sector. There is still a big demand for Legal Aid solicitors and, as an up-and-coming trainee, it is an ideal sector in which to thrive. Your chances of carving out a career path are high and you get the bonus of funding throughout your training.

However, competition for the Training Grant is tough, so get in touch with the relevant organizations ASAP - £30,000 depends on it!!

If you have any further questions regarding training contract applications and the TCG scheme, you can call Kim Moores on the above number, or alternatively call the North West Regional Office on 0845 602 1400.