SRA announces decision on minimum salary for trainees
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have announced that as of 2014 there will no longer be an obligation for firms to pay trainees their trainees a minimum salary provided that the salary paid is above the national minimum wage.
The Board of the SRA, in a move which has angered many, has agreed that setting a minimum salary level for trainees above the national minimum wage main rate for employees was not in the public interest – but in order to minimise impact, the change will not come into effect until 1 August 2014.
During the Board’s discussions members admitted they had, individually, spent a long time considering the proposal, as the arguments were so finely balanced. They had given full consideration to the potential diversity issues highlighted by the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, but concluded that setting a minimum salary was not the best way to address these.
Samantha Barrass, SRA Executive Director, said:
“We wish to thank everyone who responded to the consultation, and those who took part in the stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and the online survey for their views and information that were taken into account in reaching this decision.
“This decision was based on an objective consideration of very full and detailed evidence gathered through a variety of sources.”