Barclays' in-house team is to partner with firms on its legal panel to offer 80 work experience places to undergraduates interested in a career in law.

The move, which was brokered by legal diversity campaigning group Aspiring Solicitors, will see the bank run two one-week work experience placements for students from socio-economic groups under-represented in the legal profession.

Fifty of the places on the scheme will be available to Aspiring Solicitors members, with additional spots going to students working with the Sutton Trust and the Black Lawyers Directory.

The programme will involve partcipants shadowing lawyers at Barclays and its law firms, as well as practical and legal skill sessions, workshops and network opportunities, and will require candidates to complete a number of written tests.

"There'll also be a session on what non-legal roles an institution like Barclays can offer undergraduates, given the number of training contracts is getting smaller and smaller," said legal director David Jackson (pictured centre, with Barclays' in-house lawyers Krysta Campbell and Adam Scarrott).

Jackson also said the bank is also in early-stage discussions to launch an apprentice scheme in 2015, as part of the in-house team's commitment to Barclays' citizenship agenda.

"The best way students can get onto the work experience placement is by signing up to Aspiring Solicitors," said the group's founder Chris White. "The key issues of membership are that you come from an under-represented group or you have a commitment to diversity."

The bank already works with Allen & Overy and Linklaters on the PRIME initiative, which offers work experience to 16-18 year olds considering a career in law, as well as the Sutton Trust's Pathways to Law programme.

"About a year ago we were looking at how we could extend this to an undergraduate offering," said Jackson.

"We were scratching our heads thinking we've got a concept but no platform, but then Chris got in touch with one of our in-house lawyers, and it quickly became quite clear what he wanted to do dovetailed neatly with our plans."

In January, Aspiring Solicitors received backing from a group of in-house teams and law firms including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Hogan Lovells and Dentons to sponsor a free academic and careers advice service for future solicitors.

The company aims to assist all people with an interest in becoming a lawyer, but has a particular focus on encouraging people from backgrounds under-represented by the profession.

To apply for the scheme, visit: www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/register