Tania Griffiths QC and Richard Littler attend Social Mobility Report launch

March 14, 2018

Tania Griffiths QC and Richard Littler from Exchange Chambers were delighted to speak at the launch of Young Legal Aid Lawyers’ (YLAL) updated Social Mobility Report.

Following a membership wide survey completed in 2016 YLAL have completed a detailed report on the state of social mobility for junior lawyers in the legal aid sector.

The research, Social Mobility in a Time of Austerity, reveals that almost three quarters (72%) of respondents have left or will leave law schools with debts in excess of £15,000. That’s a 7% increase on the last report’s findings, in 2013. Twenty-seven percent will have over £35,000, an increase of 11.5% since 2013. This, coupled with traditionally low legal aid salaries, acts as “a significant barrier” to the profession.

At the launch event, hosted at Exchange Chambers in Liverpool, Tania Griffiths QC and Richard Littler took part in an open floor discussion on social mobility in the legal sector, careers in legal aid and the future of the profession.