Handbook for local junior lawyer groups

If you're thinking of setting up a local junior lawyers group in your area, this guide will give you some ideas for taking it forward.

There are approximately 50 local groups across England and Wales.

Local groups provide members with the opportunity to get together and share common ideas, concerns and experiences.

There may already be a Junior Lawyers Division, Young Solicitors Group (YSG) or Trainee Solicitors Group (TSG) in your area. Check the list of local groups

If a group doesn't exist in your area, why not think about starting up a local junior lawyers group?

Whether they are city-based or covering a wide rural area, all local groups have access to National JLD support and services.

Everyone qualifying as a member of the Junior Solicitors Network is encouraged to become involved with their local group.

The character of each local group depends on its members, but most revolve around regular social, educational and sporting events as the main way of bringing all their members together on a regular basis.

Groups may charge an individual membership fee in order to fund their activities (which in some areas is paid for by members' firms).

Local groups are often the principal way for aspiring solicitors and junior solicitors in the first five years of practice to keep in touch with peers outside their own firm.