Can you fail a training contract?

[FutureTrainee2011]

I've been flicking through the Chambers Guide as of late, and I notice that it tends to mention how many qualifiers stayed on at the firm e.g. in 2009, 9 out of 10 qualifiers stayed on at XXX.

I'm confused because it says ''qualifiers'' instead of say, ''trainees'' -- so is it possible to 'fail' a training contract? And if you do fail to qualify, what are you supposed to do next?

Just wondering!

[mandymkrd]

I imagine that this means how many of the trainees were offered NQ positions at the firm that they trained with. Not necessarily meaning that the others "failed" more likely that there was no position available for them, or that they didnt impress enough

[Del]

no the worst that can happen is your training principal refuses to sign you off but they have to have pretty good reason in doing so.