Linklaters Defers Start Dates

London’s Linklaters has pushed back its trainee start dates for September 2009 and March 2010, offering future trainees £10,000 to go away for one year.

The firm will select 15 incoming associates for the deferral program.

Associates due to start in September 2009 who take a 12 month deferral will get the 10 grand. Associates due to start in March 2010 can either defer for 12 months and get £10,000, or defer for six months an get £5,000.

Linklaters is believed to have about 125 lawyers across the two intakes. All deferrals will be voluntary.

Linklaters has 26 offices in 19 countries, and is one of the five members of the “Magic Circle” of prominent UK law firms.