CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has today joined twenty two other leading UK law firms to launch PRIME, a profession-wide undertaking to give fair access to quality work experience for young people from less privileged backgrounds.

Supported by the Law Societies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland and The Sutton Trust, PRIME commits member firms to provide work experience which gives an insight into the range of careers available in the legal profession and the potential routes into those careers.

Member firms will provide an agreed number of work experience places that meet a series of minimum standards:

Firms must provide a number of places that is not less than 50% of the number of training contracts offered each year. The target for the profession is to provide 2,500 places by 2015, although firms who have already signed up must achieve their own individual target by July 2013.

Minimum standards include at least 30-35 hours of work experience per place and a commitment to developing key business and personal skills in areas such as oral and written presentation, networking and negotiation. Firms must offer a way to maintain contact after work experience has ended as well as provide financial assistance during the programme.

Dick Tyler, Senior Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna comments, “Our PRIME commitments will give many more young people the key to unlock their educational potential, aspiration and confidence in the legal profession. Social Mobility is a complex issue, and having just carried out a survey on the topic within the firm, it is clear that it is one that many in our firm feel strongly about it and are keen to play our part to contribute.

“We already do a significant amount in this area and we are excited about opening our doors to more bright, talented and ambitious young people who otherwise may not have had that opportunity.”

The founding members of PRIME are: Addleshaw Goddard, Allen & Overy, Arthur Cox, Ashurst, Blake Lapthorn, Clifford Chance, CMS Cameron McKenna, Dickinson Dees, DLA Piper, Dundas & Wilson, Eversheds, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, Norton Rose, Pinsent Masons, Slaughter and May and Trowers & Hamlin.