Media centre

Minimum salary set to stay—for the meantime

30 May 2007

The minimum salary for trainee solicitors will stay in place while the future training arrangements for the profession are worked out.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided to retain the present arrangements for the time being and will continue to set a minimum level of salary for both inside and outside London.

A recent consultation showed overwhelming support for retaining the minimum salary. It was seen as preventing exploitation of trainees and safeguarding access to the profession.

SRA Chief Executive Antony Townsend said: "There is a view that the SRA ought not to interfere in the setting of salaries for trainees. However, large numbers of trainees and others said in our consultation that they wanted us to continue setting a minimum level. That persuaded the board to continue the current arrangements for the time being."

The minimum salary, which at the moment stands at £17,110 in central London and £15,332 outside London, will be uprated in line with the Retail Price Index on 1 August 2007.