The Government Legal Service (GLS) organises teams of lawyers for over 25 government departments. It takes on about 8 trainees a year for central government and recruits two years in advance. All trainee places are based in London, with the exception of occasional opportunities in Customs & Excise in Manchester and the Welsh Office in Cardiff.

Sponsorship for the LPC and the CPE is sometimes available. The maximum amount of sponsorship available for the vocational year is £4,438. Course fees may also be paid.

Legal trainees in London earn £13,987 in the first year of training contract, rising to £15,331 in the second year. Trainees outside London earn £12,856 and £14,197 respectively.

Training contracts are tailored to individual needs. Trainees may be placed in more than one government department and in some cases a period in private sector may be arranged.

Job prospects at the end of training are good but a job offer is not guaranteed.

Legal officers with promotion to Grade 7 usually following quickly.

The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases in England and Wales.

It recruits a limited number of trainees two years before the start of their training contract.

Trainee solicitors are offered a two-year training contract with seats in criminal litigation and magisterial law. Seats are also available in the legal sections of other government departments, local authorities, private practice and industry.

Training contracts are normally offered only to those who have passed the Law Society's LPC.

Sponsorship for the LPC and CPE is not available and salaries are the same as those for the GLS.

On completion of the training contract, trainees may be offered jobs as Crown Prosecutors, depending on whether there are any suitable vacancies.

Work placements and job shadowing are available in CPS area offices.

For further information contact:

Law Society, Careers & Recruitment Service, 227 The Strand, London WC2R.

Lawyers in Local Government c/o Head of Resources. Portsmouth City Council, Guildhall Sq, Portsmouth PO1 1AL.

GLS Recruitment team, Queen Anne's Chambers, 28 Broadway, London SW1H.

CPS Headquarters, Recruitment Unit (LT), Personnel Branch 2, 50 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7EX.