Once, the traditional route to qualifying as a solicitor was becoming an articled clerk while studying for the final exams in the evenings. Then, with the expansion of higher education, it became all-graduate entry: a full-time degree, Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Professional Skills Course (PSC), and a two-year traineeship — six years in all. The clock is now turning back. Since July 1 2014, solicitors-to-be can combine their on-the-job period of recognised training with part-time study by undertaking an articled apprenticeship, which also takes six years.

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