Trainee Solicitors

At Bevan Brittan we provide aspiring lawyers with the skills and support to set them up for a successful career.

Our trainee solicitors get a tailored training and development programme that gives them early exposure to real work for real clients, and this careful management of the learning process allows confidence to grow alongside experience.

Applications will reopen in early 2027.

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of work, both legal and non-legal, and achievements to date include leading the sale of a residential property, being able to attend Court hearings / client meetings, and achieving a certificate in Carbon Literacy.
Abdul Raheem, Trainee Solicitor

Working alongside highly skilled solicitors has deepened my understanding of this dynamic area of law. The learning curve has been steep, but every challenge has been an opportunity to develop my skills and confidence which I am extremely grateful for.
Jessica Boakye, Trainee Solicitor

I have had been able to be involved in many large deals and projects and have had a lot of opportunities to have client contact throughout my training. I have really enjoyed seeing myself improve throughout my training contract, both in my legal skills and in confidence when dealing with clients and matters, and gain more responsibility throughout the last two years.
Charlotte Horler, Trainee Solicitor

Key Information

We offer 15 training contracts a year starting in September, across all four of our offices
You will complete four six-month seats, allowing you to gain experience across our core practice areas.
Seats are available across all of our departments;
- Health & Care
- Commercial & Infrastructure
- Litigation, Advisory & Regulatory
- Employment, Pensions & Immigration
- Property
Supervisor and buddy for each seat, to support your development

Who can apply?

Our training contract opportunities are open to penultimate and final year law students, final year non-law students, graduates and those considering a change in career.

We sponsor our future trainees through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route. Where required, this includes funding for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) for non-law graduates, followed by SQE preparation courses with The College of Legal Practice and the SQE assessments. This pathway replaces the previous GDL and LPC qualification route.

SQE1 assesses your legal knowledge through multiple-choice examinations and an online assessment in Legal Research and Writing. SQE2 assesses your legal skills through practical examinations and assessments.

After completing the required SQE preparation courses and examinations, you will join the firm as a trainee and undertake a two-year training contract. This comprises four six-month seats, giving you the opportunity to gain experience across a range of practice areas while meeting the Solicitors Regulation Authority's Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) requirements.

If you have already completed the PGDL before accepting a training contract offer, you will need to complete the relevant SQE preparation courses with The College of Legal Practice and sit the SQE assessments before commencing your training contract.

If you have already completed the LPC before accepting a training contract offer, your qualification pathway will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will discuss the appropriate next steps with you.

Your Journey into Bevan Brittan

What to Expect

From the outset, you will be given real responsibility. The emphasis is on getting stuck in and learning. You will be taking part in client meetings, doing your fair share of research, drafting and attending court hearings from the off.

Supervision and Support

We believe it is crucial that our trainees have access to an extensive support network. For each seat you will be supervised by an experienced lawyer, alongside a buddy. You will also have the support of our Early Talent team who are always available to answer any questions or generally offer advice.

Not all Work

Here at Bevan Brittan we work hard to promote regular sports, community and social events. There is a Social Committee in each office which our trainees are welcome (and encouraged) to join.

The firm’s Responsible Business strategy means that we are also heavily involved in various pro bono, volunteering and fundraising activities throughout the year.

Applying

We fill most of our spaces directly through our vacation scheme, so we recommend all candidates apply via this route. We do also consider direct applicants for training contracts.

Applications will reopen in early 2027.

Application Tips

Take the time to proofread your application before submitting. Well-written, error-free answers help ensure your skills, experiences and achievements are presented in the best possible light.
Use different examples throughout the application form. We want to see candidates draw upon a variety of experiences, and examples can come from any area of your life, not just work experience.
AI can help with research, but your answers should be written by you and reflect your own experiences and perspectives.
Remember to answer the question that's being asked, rather than applying a generic response used for other questions.
Do your research thoroughly. We want applicants who are passionate about the type of work that we do and can demonstrate some understanding of our firm and its practice areas.

Application Process

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FAQs

What is a vacation scheme?

Our Summer Vacation scheme is a two-week paid experience offering for students looking to experience what life is like as a solicitor. We use our vacation scheme to assess candidates for our future training contracts.
What is a training contract?

A training contract (also known as qualifying work experience or QWE) is a two-year period where trainee solicitors put into practice everything they have learnt while studying. During a training contract at Bevan Brittan, you will complete 4 six-month seats across our different departments, to develop your knowledge of different areas of law, and help you to decide which area of law you would like to qualify into.
Do I need to study the LPC or SQE?

All of our future trainees now need to complete the SQE, however if you have already completed the LPC/are already studying the LPC, we can still consider your application.
What is the SQE?

The SQE (Solicitor Qualifying Exam) is the assessment for all future lawyers, replacing the LPC. It forms two parts, SQE1 and SQE2.
I do not have any legal work experience; will this affect my application?

Not at all, we understand not everyone has the opportunity to gain legal work experience, and will consider all applications whether they have work experience, legal or not.
Do you screen on a rolling basis?

Yes. We review applications throughout the application window and may invite candidates to progress to the next stage, or inform them if they have been unsuccessful, before the application deadline.
All applications submitted by the closing date will be reviewed and considered, regardless of when they are received. However, we encourage candidates to apply well in advance of the deadline rather than leaving their application until the last minute.
I have some adjustments that I would need making as part of the process. Are you able to accommodate these?

Absolutely, please email early.talent@bevanbrittan.com with your name and required adjustments, and one of the team will be able to assist.
Can I ask for feedback on my application?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to give feedback at application form stage or video interview. For those who attend the vacation scheme or an assessment day we will however arrange a telephone call to discuss feedback on your performance.
I have applied before; can I apply again?

Yes absolutely, but you will need to complete a new application form. You can only apply to one of our vacancies in a recruitment cycle.
Do you accept applications from non-law students?

Yes, we accept applications with any degree (or equivalent).
Do you specify which electives I take at law school?

No. We do not stipulate which electives you must study, however we do ask that you consider the areas of law we practice in when choosing your modules.
What are you looking for in a future trainee?

We are looking for individuals with enthusiasm, especially for the sectors and areas of law in which we specialise. Individuals who are happy to work in a team, with a good understanding of commerciality.
What makes an application stand out?

ur top tip is to submit an application that is genuinely your own. Show us why you're interested in our firm and the work we do, use a range of relevant examples from your experiences, and make sure your answers are clear, focused and thoroughly proofread before you apply.
What does the recruitment process look like?

We have three stages in our recruitment process: an online application, a video interview and an online written task.
If you are successful at each stage, you will then be invited to either the Vacation Scheme or an Assessment Centre, depending on the programme you have applied for.
Do you pay fees and maintenance grants?

We offer full funding for the PGDL & SQE where appropriate. We also offer a £7,000 maintenance bursary for all candidates who are studying for the PGDL or SQE, full time or part time. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer retrospective reimbursement.
Will you consider applications from students without A-levels but other equivalent qualifications?

Yes, you do need to specify grades and, if possible, include the grading scale applied to the qualifications to allow us to assess your application fairly.
Do trainees have a choice of where they sit?

Every effort is made in planning seat allocations to accommodate your preferences and career plans, whilst also taking into consideration the needs of the business and the experience the Solicitors Regulation Authority requires you to have upon qualification.
Where can I apply?

You’ll be able to apply through the link at the top of this page if our application window is open.
I am an international student / require a visa to work in the UK, can I apply?

Yes, you can apply as long as you are eligible to work within the UK and can present appropriate right to work documentation to enable us to complete Home Office prescribed checks. Bevan Brittan currently hold a licence to sponsor successful candidates for a skilled worker visa.

Please be aware that sponsorship under the skilled worker visa route is subject to specific criteria set by the UK Home Office, including minimum skill levels and salary thresholds that vary by occupation. Before applying to our Summer Vacation Scheme or Training Contract vacancies, we encourage you to review the relevant visa eligibility criteria and salary thresholds to determine whether you will be eligible for skilled worker visa sponsorship. You can view our training contract salaries on any of our external profiles (Legal Cheek, All About Law, Chambers, Legal500, LCN).

Get in touch with our Early Talent team

Please look at our FAQs first to see if your question has already been answered.