Trainee Solicitor / Solicitor Apprenticeship Recruitment Process

The legal profession is currently in a period of transition from the “traditional route” to qualification via the Legal Practice Course and Training Contract to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route.

As such, we currently offer a number of options for aspiring solicitors to qualify.

Regardless of the route, and prior to selection, we require all potential trainees to have a period of work experience with the firm, referred to as our Work Placement Scheme. This is a paid placement, generally for a period between 2 – 6 weeks (depending on availability and capacity).

Routes to Qualification:

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme – a 6-7 year programme This course is designed for those without a degree who wish to qualify as a solicitor without going to university. Apprentices will ultimately have to pass the SQE 1 and SQE 2 examinations.

Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme – a shorter programme which consists of legal practice modules as well as preparing apprentices to sit the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. During this time apprentices will obtain the necessary two years qualifying work experience to enable qualification as a solicitor at the end of the apprenticeship.

With both Apprenticeship options, Apprentices will be allowed one working day for studying per week.

Training Contract – This is the traditional route to qualification, suitable for those who have completed the LPC. The Training Contract requires a period of two years qualifying work experience. Trainees will gain experience in different areas of law covering both contentious and non-contentious work.

Criteria

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme – At least 5 GCSEs at grade B / 6 and above and 3 A-Levels at grades A, B, B (or above).

Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme – As above plus a minimum of a 2:1 degree in law; or a 2:1 honour’s degree in a non-law subject and a minimum pass in a PGDL/GDL.

Training Contract – As above plus successful completion of the LPC.

Application Process

Stage 1 – Application and Essay

Please complete our application form which can be found here: https://bridgemcfarland.co.uk/training-contracts/ and email to recruitment@bmcf.co.uk.

With your application form, please provide a 500-word essay explaining how “the Law” has impacted your life and / or the lives of your friends or family.

Stage 2 – Workbook

If your application is shortlisted at this stage, you will be provided with a Workbook for completion. The Workbook is designed to test a number of the skills required to become a successful solicitor. You will be given one week to complete and return this.

Stage 3 – Interview and Presentation

If you are shortlisted following the application and workbook stages, you will be invited to interview at one of our offices. On arrival you may be asked to complete a short assessment. You will then be required to give a 10-minute presentation to an interview panel on a topic which will be provided when you are invited to interview.

Stage 4 – Placement

If successful, you will be invited to attend for a Work Placement.

Stage 5 – Offer / Rejection

If not successful, you will be told prior to the Work Placement coming to an end and appropriate feedback will be provided.

Alternatively, you will be offered one of the following:-

1. To come back for further Work Placements in the future for further experience / assessment.

2. A Legal Assistant role on a fixed term basis so that further assessment can take place before being offered a Training Contract / Apprenticeship.

3. A Training Contract / Apprenticeship.

Application Closing Dates

We review applications (together with completed essays and workbooks) and conduct interviews at regular intervals throughout the year as follows:-