Global law firm matches five-figure sum awarded by magic circle outfits
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has upped its Legal Practice Course (LPC) maintenance grant from £7,000 to £10,000. The uplift comes into effect from September.
The decision to increase the grant was driven by a recognition of rising living costs in London, the firm said, and also its commitment to supporting future trainees during their seven-month accelerated LPCs. HSF — which offers approximately 60 training contracts each year — also fully funds LPC fees.
Mark Bardell, graduate recruitment partner at HSF, said:
“Herbert Smith Freehills is deeply committed to providing exceptional training and support for our future trainees, including ensuring they have the necessary financial means to achieve every success in their studies.”
This news comes after Legal Cheek exclusively reported in January that Clifford Chance and Freshfields had boosted their LPC grants by 43% to £10,000. Not to be outdone, Linklaters and Slaughter and May quickly followed suit a month later and confirmed that it too will offer the five-figure sum. Allen & Overy completed the circle when it became the last of the magic five to up maintenance grants in February. The quintet cover LPC fees, too.
The last major round of maintenance grant boosts was back in 2013, when Linklaters led the way in increasing them from £5,000 to £7,000.
