British law firm Shoosmiths has asked its 2009 trainees to withdraw from their contract, or defer until 2011, without any offer of financial compensation.

The firm wants volunteers to defer until September 2010 or September 2011, but will not offer financial compensation.

If the firm does not get enough volunteers, it will consider compulsory deferrals.

  

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In addition, a selected 21 incoming lawyers must choose between deferral and withdrawal. Their start dates will be pushed to September 2011 or even September 2012.

Shoomsiths CEO Paul Stothard says that financial compensation “is not appropriate in these circumstances. That is our view — other firms may take a different view.” You think?