Law firm delays trainee intake - graduate jobs

One of the most prestigious law firms in the country has become the latest group to offer those signed up to its graduate recruitment programme the opportunity to delay their start dates.

Clifford Chance, a member of the Magic Circle of top London law firms, hopes up to 15% of the two intakes of approximately 130 trainees will defer for a year. The future trainee solicitors were meant to start in August 2009 and February 2010.

Those who decide to take up the offer will receive a basic bursary of £8,000, with an extra payment of up to £3,000 for trainees who take on specific pro bono projects or sign up for further legal or language studies.

Graduate recruitment partner Lynn Johansen said: "Investing in the recruitment and training of trainees is vital to the future of the firm and we remain fully committed to our graduate recruitment programme.

"However, in these difficult economic conditions, we believe this is in the best interests of the firm and the trainee population as a whole. We'll continue to provide higher quality work and training."