Quitting my Law Training Contract during my First Seat - Help!

People are “speaking out” by leaving. Just because they are not talking to you about it, does not mean they aren’t speaking about it. These things tend to be kept fairly under the radar no matter what size of firm you are in.

You can’t flippantly say you want to kill yourself and then suggest you are ok. You aren’t if that’s how you feel.

GP appointment booked! So weird it hits home when you see it in writing.

Yes, I see what you mean about speaking out by leaving. The only thing is the boss sacked them for asking the basic employment rights. This happened to colleagues/friends who did not see it coming, hence why the others don’t feel like they can say anything as they will be on his radar, and can’t risk losing a job. I have spoken to the others when things get tough and they have been getting me through it. They have said several times they wish they could help but can’t.

So they aren’t leaving then? They are being unlawfully sacked... someone should report this firm to the SRA and Law Society if that is the case (if they haven’t done so already).

Phone the SRA. They have a helpline for trainees and I called and apparently this is so so common. Many of us end up depressed through traineeships (me included). I would also consider reporting your boss to the SRA. I came close but luckily moved seat.

There’s no harm in reporting them now or it at least starting the process. It will take months to be looked into anyway, and for all you know the SRA/Law Soc could be sitting on similar complaints waiting for their to be more than one instance.

It’s practically impossible to be got rid of during a TC unless you do something fundamentally questionable. Typically a termination of a TC requires mutual consent from both parties.

A lot of firms make people pay for the PSC. If you have 4-5 months left, I’d ensure you are booked on a course now if their policy is to pay for it.

Ask someone to explain the complaint process to you before giving any specific/personal details. This will explain timelines, information you will need to present etc. It will give you an understanding of the process so you can then work out how best (or even when) to proceed.

Having read all four pages of these sagas, I wonder why anyone would choose a career in law. There seems to be no-one who likes it, either at university, the training stage or post qualification. I can't think of another career where its practitioners so universally and consistently dislike their own job. @Lostitfun - take care of your health and your wellbeing.

Update - TC can get worse after all! Never in a million years did I think I would be in this position. Credit to all the NQ who completed the TC.

It gets better as an NQ.

Hi! As a NQ Solicitor, I know how you feel! I undertook work experience with my current firm for two years (completely unpaid) before starting my TC. Once I had started, the fact they were now paying me seemed to change their attitude towards me and I was essentially being treated like a slave. I wouldn't say I wanted to leave immediately as I was determined to become a Solicitor but I definitely was not happy. 13 months in, they informed me that they had forgotten to send my contract off to the SRA and I would have to stay on for another 7 months (on top of the 11 months I had left) to complete my TC. I was devastated. Anyway, fast forward a hard 15 months.... I am still there, they are not keeping me on and I have just been accepted onto the Graduate Management programme in the NHS. They told me that they've had a Solicitor join them every year since they started! If you can stick it out, it is definitely worth it for the skills you will obtain through bad management and lack of support, you will have grown as an individual.

Hi everyone,

never thought I would be writing this but here it goes.

My law journey started at university where I got a 1st class in my LLB. I applied for vacation schemes (did ones at Pinsents, Addleshaws, and Slaughters). After this I then did the LPC where I got distinction and went on to secure a training contract at a regional office of a City firm.

When I got offered my TC I had several friends working in London at City firms telling me to NOT do it. I didn't listen and thought I had struck gold at securing a top firm but in the regions where I thought the culture would be friendlier. I was subjected to the usual "we are an open and approachable firm etc etc".

I have been at my firm for 8 weeks now and I absolutely hate every day. My seat is commercial real estate which is not the most interesting but the thing I hate the most is the people. Everyone is extremely unfriendly, nasty, stressed, and they enjoy treating their trainees like crap and using them as a source to vent their anger.

Should I quit? I really want to and cannot imagine staying at this firm for 2 years. It has totally turned me off a career in law (to be honest the job is boring and I don't want to do any of the work I see the senior associates slaving over). The culture is brutal and I am feeling severely depressed going to work every day. At first I was eager to learn but that was quickly whipped out of me.

I plan to quit at the end of December (after 4 months) if I find another job (I have rights to work abroad so would apply to jobs in my home country).

Anyone been through something similar/got any advice? Desperate here

Thanks.

I've since left my big corporate firm to pursue a new career. I don't regret leaving as it has been a tiring 10 months, but I am grateful for the lessons learned.

Hi! As a NQ Solicitor, I know how you feel! I undertook work experience with my current firm for two years (completely unpaid) before starting my TC. Once I had started, the fact they were now paying me seemed to change their attitude towards me and I was essentially being treated like a slave. I wouldn't say I wanted to leave immediately as I was determined to become a Solicitor but I definitely was not happy. 13 months in, they informed me that they had forgotten to send my contract off to the SRA and I would have to stay on for another 7 months (on top of the 11 months I had left) to complete my TC. I was devastated. Anyway, fast forward a hard 15 months.... I am still there, they are not keeping me on and I have just been accepted onto the Graduate Management programme in the NHS. They told me that they've had a Solicitor join them every year since they started! If you can stick it out, it is definitely worth it for the skills you will obtain through bad management and lack of support, you will have grown as an individual.