By Jemma Slingo2020-12-17T10:30:00+00:00 Traditional training contracts can be ‘insurmountable obstacles’ for less advantaged graduates, who are pushed out by those with ‘insider knowledge’, a solicitor has told the regulator’s training conference. Cordella Bart-Stewart, director of the Black Solicitors Network, said she was ‘confident’ that Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) has the potential to improve diversity and social mobility. Speaking at the SRA’s annual SQE conference, Bart-Stewart said: ‘A two-year training contract in a law firm is a significant and often insurmountable obstacle for those without contacts, social capital or informed and supportive careers advice. The current system favours the sharp-elbowed pushing out those without insider knowledge but with real potential and much to offer our profession.’