The Government has assigned £1m in funding to a new apprenticeship programme that will enable budding lawyers to train as paralegals and pursue an alternative route into law without the need for a university degree.

Pearson has won the tender to provide the training programme, which is expected to launch in early 2013. It is intended to target school-leavers who are interested in a career in law, but who cannot afford or do not wish to pursue a university education.