Law firms warned over women's pay

Female trainee solicitors are being short-changed by bosses who pay their male staff more, a new study reveals today.

Despite outnumbering them by three to two, women are still being paid an average of £1,300 less than their male counterparts - in Greater London the figure is £1,400.

Today the Law Society, which carried out the research, warned that it would act against any firms who were found guilty of discrimination.

Its comprehensive survey found the average male trainee was being paid £20,000, but the average female got £18,700. Central London firms, including some of the biggest names in law, are the least discriminatory employers - but still pay men almost £400 a year more.

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said: "It is disturbing to see women still face inequality in relation to their pay. We will investigate thoroughly all allegations of prejudice."

The survey found, meanwhile, that the number of trainees from ethnic minorities is growing. Almost one in five are black or Asian.