There is ongoing debate within the legal profession about
whether Practical Legal Training (PLT), the
predominant pathway to admission, is the most effective method.
Chief Justice Andrew Bell of New South Wales in particular has
raised concerns in respect of the current system.
Bennett & Philp considered this same issue some time ago and
decided to take steps itself.
Before PLT became the dominant pathway to admission, Bennett
& Philp trained many of its lawyers through articles of
clerkship. Many of these articled clerks became successful senior
lawyers (and in some cases Directors) within the firm.
Articles of clerkship no longer exist but, recognising the value
of structured practical learning, the firm decided to reintroduce a
graduate pathway to meet the requirements of admission to the
profession. After careful planning to ensure all competency and
elective requirements could be met internally, Bennett & Philp
launched its Supervised Traineeship Program
