I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA: “For a number of reasons my legal career journey began after I turned 21 and this is the reality for many.”

UPDATE: The government’s decision to continue to fund level 7 apprenticeships for young people

aged 16-21 is welcomed, however, for those aged 21 and over this is disappointing news.

For a number of reasons my legal career journey began after I turned 21 and this is the reality for many. Limiting their route into the solicitor profession by not extending this funding will not help to deliver a more diverse solitor profession nor judiciary. I urge the government to reconsider its decision to enable the legal profession to deliver on its promise of a profession that is representative of those it seeks to serve.
#SolicitorApprenticeships #Level7funding
#Diversity #Representation

5 months ago

Defunding the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Levy is counterproductive.

Realising my mission to leave the profession more diverse and inclusive than the one I entered, the role of solicitor apprenticeships has been vital to achieve this aim. The solicitor profession has worked hard to open up and diversify the profession, welcoming those who would otherwise not be able to afford to qualify.

The Government recently announced a new Growth and Skills Levy, which will replace the existing Apprenticeship Levy. Defunding level 7 apprenticeships without exemptions will close the door to qualifying as a solicitor and make a legal career less accessible for many, which is a backward step and counterproductive to our overall aim of making the solicitor profession more accessible, especially to those from an under-represented and disadvantaged background.

Judicial diversity is tied to the diversity of the legal profession. The legal profession serves as the primary talent pipeline for the judiciary. By reducing accessible pathways to qualification, we restrict the pool of future judges, ultimately undermining the judiciary’s ability to reflect and serve society effectively.

Exemptions from the defunding of the Levy for the Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship must be considered.

Redirecting funding towards lower-level qualifications not only limits aspiration, but it will do nothing to create a profession that truly reflects the society it seeks to serve. This approach is counterproductive to the government’s broader goals of fostering economic growth and ensuring equal opportunity.

I urge the government to rethink this policy and engage meaningfully with the legal sector’s representatives, including the Solicitor Trailblazer Group, Michelle Tunney Kerry Gilbert James Catchpole and The Law Society to consider viable alternatives.

Defunding Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships will have a detrimental impact on widening access to the profession, to access to justice, and in turn to the judiciary.
#SolicitorApprenticeships
#LegalProfession #SocialMobility

If you’d like me to speak at your event, please get in touch,
email: stephanie@istephanieboyce.com. Thank you.