Adlawgroup is planning to take on some 10 to 15 young lawyers in July with another intake due in September. The A$22,000 charge equates to about half the salary they would receive over a year. The firm's website describes the arrangement as 'a cost-effective alternative to higher legal education or the pursuit of alternate tertiary qualifications'.

Vulnerable position

The Law Society of South Australia has looked into banning the move but president Rocky Perrotta said: 'I can’t come out and declare it unlawful because I don’t know [enough about it].' He continued: '[These graduates] are in [a] vulnerable position and when this business model comes up, it may be attractive to them.' The three local law schools are 'pumping out' law graduates, he added, meaning that some people have not managed to find a post.

Source: Lawyers Weekly