Law Students/Graduates
Law students can apply for a reduction of up to six months off their training contracts if they can demonstrate that they have gained similar skills and experience already.  One way to do this is to train and volunteer as an advisor with Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau.  The time volunteered will be considered as half equivalent i.e. to have a training contract reduced by six months, the student would have to volunteer as an advisor for at least twelve months.  This experience must be gained within three years of starting a training contract, so volunteering as an undergraduate/post graduate would be ideal.  Having prior skills and experience may also make it easier subsequently for students to get the training contracts they want.
 
There is a form to be completed by the student/trainee and their supervisor, detailing the work done and skills gained.  This will be considered by the establishment offering the training contract, who will then decide whether to grant the reduction applied for.  Full details of the scheme can be found on the Law Society website at www.lawsoc.org.uk.  Click on 'Qualifying as a solicitor', then 'Training Contracts', then 'Guidance on Employing Trainee Solicitors and Training Contracts' and see section 4.4.