Law Society Award For Irwin Mitchell Trainee

The annual dinner of the Chichester and District Law Society on 15 November saw a local trainee solicitor honoured for achieving the highest mark in the Legal Practice Course (LPC) locally.

Claire Taylor from Chichester was presented with the award at the Chichester Cathedral event, shortly after commencing her training contract with the local office of Irwin Mitchell in August.

Also known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, the LPC is a compulsory course, designed to provide a bridge between academic study and the start of training in a law firm.

Irwin Mitchell colleagues Diane Nicholls, John Bunker, Dipal Patel, Hannah Worricker, Chrissy Leach, Margaret Windram and regional managing partner Paula James were there to see Pallant Chambers present Claire with her award.

Irwin Mitchell are strong supporters of the Chichester and District Law Society and Margaret Windram of Irwin Mitchell is this year’s co president with Helen FitzSimmons. John Bunker of Irwin Mitchell was elected vice president and will take up the chair in July 2020.

Speaking after the event, Claire said: “I’m really pleased and proud to have won the award for the highest LPC mark locally. The course isn’t easy but it’s a great feeling to pass and to have the opportunity to pursue my training here in my home city.

Irwin Mitchell has supported me all the way and I’m really enjoying my first few months with the Irwin Mitchell team here in Chichester. 

I am very grateful to Pallant Chambers our local set of barristers in Chichester for sponsoring the prize and supporting our local law society. Solicitors and barristers work very closely together and Pallant Chambers are well known for their expertise.”

Expert Opinion

“The LPC is a major milestone on the journey to becoming a solicitor and for Claire to record such a high mark on such an intensive course is no small achievement. We were delighted to be with Claire to celebrate her success on the night and wish her congratulations on behalf of the team.

We all remember our time as trainees and it can be daunting and exciting all at the same time. It’s great to see someone like Claire at the start of their career get off to such a flying start to what we hope will prove to be a long and rewarding legal career with Irwin Mitchell.” Paula James - Partner & National Head of Lifetime and Estate Planning