The Law Society seeks slave labour
12 March 2010
The Law Society is offering a "internship" position in its Chancery Lane headquarters on no pay. For three months.

The job is advertised as starting from mid May, would suit "a graduate or similar", and is described as "varied and creative". And a great degree of creativity will certainly be required to live in London for twelve weeks on a salary of absolutely nothing. A spokeswoman for the Society said that the internship "is an excellent addition to any CV" and claimed that "travel costs and subsistence are paid" - although there's no mention of this in the ad.

The Law Society yesterday

Several law firms have used the downturn as an excuse to beast desperate candidates for no cash. Last week Makwana Solicitors in Stanmore advertised for a "Voluntary Paralegal position". Two weeks before that Gavin Edmonston Solicitors in Cheshire sought "a conscientious and hardworking paralegal" to work for dick all for three months on the vague prospect of a proper job at the end of it.

Any members of the Society who think it's shameful for the profession's representative body to jump on this bandwagon can express their views here.