Downturn sees legal sector shed jobs and trainees

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 21:02

DOZENS of Scottish lawyers have lost their jobs or training posts in the wake of the economic downturn, according to figures obtained by The Scotsman.

The Law Society of Scotland said 40 solicitors were made redundant between May and August, with 36 traineeships cancelled, postponed or cut short in the same period.

While the losses are a small proportion of the 10,000 solicitors on the roll, the Law Society concedes they may not reflect the wider picture as some solicitors may have taken early retirement or left the profession.

It is also estimated that hundreds of paralegals and other support staff have lost their jobs, with many more asked to job-share or work part-time. Last week, the Tayside firm Blackadders confirmed it was closing two offices with the loss of 44 jobs.

Solicitors who specialise in residential property have been hardest hit following the impact of the credit crunch on mortgage lending.

Graeme McCormick of Conveyancing Direct in Glasgow, which laid off half its 30 staff this summer, said he expected further job losses: "I would easily estimate there are thousands of people who will be losing their jobs. I am not sure government is aware of the enormity of what is happening."

Neil Stevenson, of the Law Society, said it was closely monitoring the impact of the economic climate.