KLegal is facing a storm over its plans to compulsorily defer 30 of its trainee solicitors until 2004, with many refusing to sign the new contract amid claims that the firm has breached its obligations.

The news follows the KPMG-tied firm’s decision this week to give 30 of its trainees in London and Scotland £2,500 to defer their 2003 contracts for 12 months due to over-capacity.