I have followed the recent correspondence and editorial on the subject of training with some interest. I am about to retire after over 40 years as a solicitor and nearly 50 years at work. Mr Howell’s experience must have been later than mine.

I never once attended any formal course before qualification. I was articled to the town clerk of the London Borough of Merton, the admirable Sydney Astin. Before agreeing articles, I was expected to obtain my law degree, which I did by correspondence course. The degree route avoided any need to attend the College of Law. I always regretted the lack of formal training, excellent as my in-house training was. I have always supported continuing professional development in principle accordingly.

I never regretted absence from the college, as everyone I knew told me that it mainly consisted of old-fashioned learning by rote. By contrast, the trainees I encounter today seem to have had better training in an intellectual approach to the law and the practical application of the law to a client’s problem.

My conclusion is that there is a place for ‘apprenticeships’, but they should be coupled with some attendance at a formal course, perhaps on a ‘day release’ basis.

Douglas Raine, Debenhams Ottaway, St Albans