Open letter to members re: Student Extra
TO: SYLA MEMBERS
SUBJECT: SYLA CONCERNS OVER "STUDENT EXTRA"
Dear members,
The Scottish Young Lawyers Association (SYLA) has today approached the Law Society of Scotland to note our concerns over the introduction of a new scheme open to students studying the Diploma in Legal Practice. Entitled "Student Extra", the scheme was announced on Monday 1 November 2010, and is intended to make students feel part of the legal profession, through the provision of:
- CPD and networking events for new lawyers;
- Half day careers workshop;
- Half day skills workshop;
- Subscription to the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland;
- Updates and e-bulletins from the Law Society of Scotland.
Under the scheme, it is proposes students will be charged £50 for access to these services. Places are limited to 100 students in the first year of the scheme.
The SYLA wishes to give any of its members considering joining this scheme further information in this regard so that an informed decision can be made.
Against the backdrop of the current economic climate, and the large number of students enrolled on the Diploma in Legal Practice this academic year, the SYLA are concerned that the Law Society of Scotland have decided to now charge for the provision of these services. For a number of years, the Law Society of Scotland has provided CPD for new lawyers at no cost to attendees, including students. It remains unclear whether the Law Society of Scotland now proposes to charge for attendance at its events for all new lawyers, and indeed whether these events will now be limited to the 100 students enrolled in "Student Extra".
Furthermore, the SYLA would remind members that the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland remains available to students online, or through paper copy at your local university law library. Moreover, the provision of updates and e-bulletins from the Society has always remained free of charge, to those that opt-in. The SYLA are seeking clarification with the Society over whether students will be charged for these services in future, and if not, what real benefit membership of the "Student Extra" scheme will confer.
We understand that the main benefit to be gained from this scheme is the ability to attend bespoke careers and networking working workshops, which would normally cost the sum of about £400 to attend. However, we would again emphasise that such seminars and workshops can be available from other providers.
While further support from the Society directed towards law students in Scotland is extremely welcome at this time, the SYLA feels charging £50 for the provision of these services from students is unacceptable in the current climate of increasing numbers of Diploma students and decreasing numbers of available traineeships. To moreover limit the provision of these services to so few students risks creating unfairness, by excluding those who cannot afford to pay the fee of the scheme.
We would remind all members that the SYLA, amongst others including TANQ and the Young Mediator's Group, are currently providing, and will continue to provide, careers, networking and CPD skills sessions for students, at no or little cost.
http://www.lawscot.org.uk/becomingasolicitor/students/studentextrascheme. Please forward this email on to anyone you think may be interested in this position or the 'Student Extra' scheme.
Best wishes,
The Scottish Young Lawyers Association
For the response from the Law Society of Scotland click here.