Secret Trainee reveals pressure on new lawyers to appear in court

The anonymous lawyer said trainees are being forced into applying for early admittance to appear in court, which they can now gain after three months.

They told Scotland on Sunday: “We’re pretty much doing everything except trials.”

They said they live in “daily fear” of Anderson appeals, which are made on the basis of inadequate representation.

“What I’m daily concerned about is: is the advice I’m giving a client correct?”

Nor are trainees being paid more for taking on greater responsibility.

“The firm don’t give you a pay rise though, you stay on £19,500 a year”, working “five days a week, 12-hour days”.

They said there should be protection for trainees from early admission as they are being used to resolve the backlog.

“I think it was introduced with good intentions, but it has unfortunately, rather than being the exception outstanding trainees, it’s now becoming the standard. YOu all get in after three months.

“Where’s the protection for us that want to push back against it and say ‘I’d really rather not, I don’t feel ready?’”

Concerns were raised more than three-and-a-half years ago about allowing trainees to appear in court before they were ready.