"Having secured a training contract with a City firm, I asked the firm for permission to take a gap year for further study and travel before I commenced my LPC.

"After a few months in which I did not hear from the firm, I called up a partner of the firm and was told that 'things were fine and my job was secure'. A while later, HR got back to me saying deferment was 'fine'. However, at no stage was I given anything in writing to confirm these conversations – and I didn't feel asking them for something in writing was appropriate since at that time I thought if they were really keen on reneging the contract there was not much I could do anyway.

"Given the fact that they took so much time considering the matter, that I do not have anything written confirming my new start date, and the recent economic troubles, I am really worried about my contract! Are these worries unfounded? Is there anything I can do now?"

Click 'Comment on this article' to post your advice in confidence – or click here to share your wisdom on the Legal Week Wiki, where no topic is off limits. Rate or slate your firm and its rivals with our ground-breaking insider's guide to City law.

And remember, Career Clinic is only as good as the questions we receive, so email your career conundrums to [email protected].