Despite no mention of compensation in its first letter to future joiners, reports have revealed that Lovells will now offer a cash payment to trainee solicitors who have decided to defer.
The firm recently wrote to its autumn 2009 and spring and autumn 2010 intakes offering a Ј5,000 cash payment to those who delay their start dates by 12 months and Ј2,500 for any who decide to defer for six months.
Lovells follows in the footsteps of other UK firms, such as DLA Piper, Penningtons (which is paying a flat rate of Ј5,000 to trainees who delay their start dates for a year), Herbert Smith and Norton Rose (the most generous so far, offering up to Ј10,000).