Glasgow-based firm Dallas McMillan sought a trainee earlier this month to begin in the summer.

David McElroy, partner at the firm, said: “Two weeks ago, Dallas McMillan placed an advert for a trainee to start this summer for a two year traineeship.

“We only recently decided that another trainee was required, meaning that we were advertising fairly late when looking for someone to start this year.”

Mr McElroy said 75 per cent of applicants were due to finish the diploma this year while the remainder had graduated last year.

He said: “We were all shocked by the sheer volume of applicants. When I was looking for a traineeship in 1997, the position was pretty bad with traineeships being difficult to find, but now it seems that finding one is almost impossible.”

He added: “I now have to send 119 emails to people telling them they were unsuccessful and wishing all the best. I’m not looking forward to it at all. Will these people secure traineeships? I really hope so but the numbers suggest it’s unlikely.

“It strikes me that something needs to be done urgently to change the way the profession deals with trainee intake.”

Scottish Legal News is currently advertising a traineeship with Glasgow University.