§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that there are approximately 36,000 law clerks in the United Kingdom, he will, at an early date, consider the advisability of introducing legislation revising the Charter, to enable law clerks to become solicitors, subject to examination tests only, and thus open a career at present barred by poverty?
§ Sir RUFUS ISAACSThe admission of solicitors in England and Wales is regulated not by Charter but by Acts of Parliament. These Acts provide, in ordinary cases, for a five years' course of articles 573W and for passing an intermediate and a final examination, but by Section 4 of the Solicitors Act of 1860 a special concession limiting the term of articles to three years is made in favour of clerks who can prove that they have been employed in a solicitor's office for a period of ten years. I am not prepared to recommend a dispensation of the articles of clerkship, as it is considered that, having regard to the grave responsibilities attached to the office of a solicitor, every person seeking admission should not only be qualified by examination, but also by an adequate experience of the practice of the law.