I think the answer to that question is that it may have the potential to do that. At this point in time, obviously, although the new qualification is being consulted on, the detail of how it will operate in practice and how it will relate to the academic stage and the work experience stage is not entirely clear, and that's one of the issues I want to explore when I meet with the SRA.

The Member is correct to say that in providing a common benchmark across a range of routes into the profession, it ought to have the ability to provide a level playing field. But as he will also know, some of the larger practices have tailored courses with the legal practice course providers, and if those survive into the new regime, as it were, it might have the potential to create a kind of two-tier system. So, there are some questions that I think need to be explored. Obviously one would hope that—as his question outlines—there will be a level playing field that comes as a result of this. It is certainly the case that the current arrangements aren't satisfactory for the reasons that he gives.