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BBC launches beefed-up training contract programme with more money and more places

Two schemes now on offer for LPC graduates

The BBC will be launching two training contract schemes for media law-hungry graduates who have completed their degree and Legal Practice Course (LPC).

The programmes will take four LPC graduates each; one will start in September 2017 and the other in September 2019. According to the public broadcaster, it’s looking for aspiring solicitors who understand the “many areas of law” it deals with day-to-day. This includes commercial law, litigation, intellectual property, data protection, employment, fair trade and competition. Phew.

Those lucky enough to secure a place on what’s bound to be a competitive scheme will take part in four six months seats, which are “likely” to take place in intellectual property, BBC Worldwide, commercial rights and business affairs, plus a seat in private practice. The legal newbies will be based at the Beeb’s flashy headquarters in Westminster, London.

Let’s talk money. The BBC has announced those starting their in-house training in 2017 will be paid £28,000 for their first year of work. This is on par with firms such as Bond Dickinson and comparable to the likes of TLT (£27,000) and Weightmans (£26,500). In year two, BBC-ers’ salaries will rise to £32,000.

The BBC first made the decision to open up TCs to external applicants for the first time back in 2015. The scheme paid a salary of £25,000 and took on just three lucky wannabe lawyers a year. Alison Neil, who was then BBC Legal learning and development manager, said at the time she was after people:

[W]ho can demonstrate why they want to work for the BBC, and BBC Legal specifically: those who understand that it is still a legal job, not mixing with celebrities every night.

Aspiring solicitors can apply for the role from 13 March.

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