Reforming training for future lawyers: what do you need to know?
There are plans to change the training for people who want to become lawyers. This is additional training after you have already completed your law studies. The Flemish Association of Students (VVS) is not entirely happy about this, and we understand those concerns.
Anyone who has studied law should have the opportunity to become a lawyer. Only people from wealthy backgrounds should not be able to do so. That is why we are demanding for a proper social status for the aspiring lawyers and monitoring the affordability of training. There will also be due consideration for financial backing for those who are struggling.
The plans were devised by a former justice minister, Vincent Van Quickenborne. The Community Bar Associations, which are Advocaat.be and Avocats.be, support that plan but also understand the criticism of it. Cooperation with other organisations is needed to get everything right. That is why everything will only come into effect from 2028.
What exactly would change?
- Training is improving so that new lawyers learn more and are better prepared.
- Now, trainees sometimes have to quit their internship to attend classes. That is not convenient when they are also working on cases. That would change.
- The time you have to do an internship as a lawyer will be shorter. They are doing this because it already works well in countries like France.
How much will it cost?
Currently, additional training for trainees costs €1,150. With the changes, this amount might go up, but we do not yet know exactly how much.
Why is this important for all of us?
Advocaat.be wants everyone to have a fair chance to become a lawyer. But it is also important that new lawyers are properly trained so that they can help us all properly when needed. They would like to discuss this with the Flemish Students' Association to find a good solution together.
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