Trainees

SCL has a special offer for trainee solicitors, trainee legal executives, trainee paralegals, and pupil barristers

You worked hard to pass all those exams. You worked hard, and were dead lucky, to get a training contract or pupillage. You worked hard to sharpen specialist knowledge on IT and all related areas. You even read terms and conditions on web sites and get funny looks from your friends because you know what privacy policies actually say. And, of course, your law firm employers expect you to work hard and know everything – especially your place.

Being a trainee is not a bed of roses. And while your bosses quickly became acknowledged IT law specialists, with numerous stars in directories for ‘industry knowledge’, because they programmed a Sinclair ZX in 1984, if you cannot develop an app in your lunch-hour (sorry, lunch-minute), you are a know-nothing. To put the cap on it, you have got where you are, through all those struggles, and now you realise that by the time you make associate, the computers will be running law firms and doling out 90% of the advice – you will only have a career if you agree to a mind-merge. Did we mention money? Best not – money’s too hard to mention.

SCL has sympathy and, more constructively, a very special offer. Trainee solicitors, trainee legal executives, trainee paralegals and pupil barristers are entitled to apply for free membership of SCL for a maximum of two years or until they qualify – whichever comes first. We want to encourage you in honing your knowledge of tech law. Even if that might not be an area for future specialism, it is hard to imagine a commercial lawyer of the next generation who does not have a good competence in all tech law issues. This category of membership will include full access to the content of the web site and attendance at SCL events at the members’ rate but not a hard copy of the SCL magazine. Prospective new members who are trainees should apply to hello@scl.org

A copy of the SCL membership application form is available to download at the bottom of this page.

After you’ve qualified you’ll be invited to become a fully-fledged professional member.
This would ordinarily cost £165 per year but as a special incentive we offer your first year’s membership for just £120.
Plus, you can attend your first meeting for free (t’s and c’s apply, please see below*).

Guidelines for free trainee membership of SCL:

  • Free membership is available to trainees for a maximum of two years or until your date of qualification, whichever comes first. Trainees must provide their expected date of qualification on application. After this time, your free membership will cease and you will be invited to join SCL as a professional member.
  • To qualify for trainee membership you are required to have a current training contract and to provide a company (not personal) email address. Please do not apply for free membership under this scheme until your training contract has started.
  • Your login details provide access to the entire content of the SCL website and also to your SCL online account including your personal details and training record with SCL. Your login details are for your use only and should not be shared.
  • Trainee members are entitled to attend SCL events at the standard members’ rate (the concessionary rate for UK students in full-time education does not apply).
  • Prospective new members who are trainees should apply to hello@scl.org This special deal will not be available in retrospect and will only be open to new members of SCL.
  • Please note that at this time, free SCL membership under this scheme is not open to legal analysts.

Free membership for UK students in full-time education: SCL also provides free membership for UK students in full-time education with a valid ac.uk email address. SCL student members are also eligible to attend SCL events at concessionary rates. UK students in full-time education can gain free membership by creating an online account here

Please also see:

Free event T&C’s:

  • This offer is valid for 6 months after joining as a Professional Member
  • This offer applies to sessions lasting one hour up to the price £35 + VAT
  • This offer cannot be transferred to a colleague