A PRIVATE law college has been given the go-ahead to double the intake for its legal practice course (LPC), prompting fears that it will increase competition for trainee jobs

A PRIVATE law college has been given the go-ahead to double the intake for its legal practice course (LPC), prompting fears that it will increase competition for trainee jobs.

London college BPP Law School will offer 288 places in September after permission was given by the Law Society.

The Trainee Solicitors Group is worried that newly qualified lawyers, who spend nearly £7,000 for an LPC, will face intense competition for training contracts.

Chairman Susannah Haan says: "I hope that the students are informed about the current levels of debt that will be incurred and the possible lack of opportunities available at the end of it."

Roger Smith, director of training at The Law Society, says in 1997 a freeze was imposed on the number of LPC places because of concerns that there was a disparity between the number of places and training contracts. Smith says balance has now been restored.

Carl Lygo, LPC course director at BPP, says: "It's important for students to have a choice of where to go."