AWS: Women will be hit hardest by minimum wage rules

The Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) has criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA's) decision to abolish the minimum salary for trainee solicitors. The AWS argues that the move will disproportionately affect women, who make up approximately two thirds of current trainees and also outnumber men at associate level, while top positions in the profession continue to be largely male dominated.

Making the national minimum wage the pay threshold for trainee solicitors will potentially reduce trainee income by 40%, and there are widespread concerns that the decision will impede diversity and accessibility in the profession. The AWS also points out that women and ethnic minorities comprise the majority of those trainees receiving the current minimum trainee salary of £16,650 (£18,590 in London), so there are strong arguments to suggest that it will be female and ethnic minority solicitors who are most affected by the change in pay rules.

AWS Chairwoman Joy Van-Cooten and the AWS Law Society council member Sarah Austin commented: "Women have achieved so much over the life of our organisation and especially over the last two decades, so we greet the SRA's announcement with disappointment. We are concerned it will discourage able women away from the profession and the result will be a return to a less diverse profession that will reflect practitioners' means rather than their merit. This can only devalue the professional reputation of solicitors and the public's perception of the quality of our service."