Lovells latest to offer trainees cash to defer TC

The firm had previously contacted all trainees due to join the firm in autumn 2009 and spring/autumn 2010 asking for volunteers to delay their start date by six or 12 months but had not offered a cash lump sum.

It has now sent new letters to trainees offering £2,500 for those willing to defer by six months and £5,000 for those willing to defer by 12 months.

If the firm does not get enough trainees volunteering then it will start a selection process to choose a number from each intake to have their start dates automatically deferred.

A spokesperson at Lovells said: "We are seeking to 'smooth out' our trainee intakes. This will mean asking some of those currently scheduled to join in autumn 2009 and spring and autumn 2010 to defer to later start dates. As a first step we are seeking volunteers to do this."

A number of major UK firms have asked trainees to defer joining, with the majority offering cash incentives.

Norton Rose is offering its trainees up to £10,000, Herbert Smith has followed suit offering a lump sum of more than £5,000 with Baker & McKenzie offering those deferring by 12 months an incentive of £5,000.

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