Legal training
Before you get here
You don't need a degree in Law to become a lawyer. However, before you start your training contract with us, you will need to have completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and, for non-Law graduates, the Graduate Diploma in Law to enable you to attend the LPC. You can find out more on these at the Law Society website.
Training and support
We take a huge interest in our graduates, and throughout your time here, you’ll find many people who’ll be willing to offer advice and help, including individual mentoring and coaching. In fact we were best recruiter / in-house trainer at the LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards 2008. However, what you learn and how much you achieve is very much down to you: the people who achieve most here are undoubtedly those who take a positive, proactive approach. So, if there is a gap in your training record you want to fill, we’ll encourage you to take the initiative and follow it up.
Supervision and feedback
You’ll be supervised and supported by qualified solicitors, your Training Principal and others, who’ll guide you and offer advice at every step. You’ll also receive regular feedback and at least three formal appraisals during your two years here – one at the beginning, one in your second year and one at the end of the training contract.
Professional Skills Course (PSC)
The PSC is one of the requirements stipulated by the Law Society, involving the equivalent of 12 days’ full-time attendance, covering off several modules. It builds on both the vocational training your LPC will have given you, and the practical training you’ll receive here. We’ll give you paid support to complete this course.
Graduate Development Programme
Alongside your legal training, you will participate in an eighteen-month graduate development programme – something that trainees elsewhere won’t be receiving. This is a foundation-level management development programme specifically designed with you in mind. You’ll learn how to manage projects, deliver powerful presentations and foster effective teams. However, this is about more than just your day job. You will develop new techniques in group problem-solving. You’ll learn how to plan strategically. You’ll gain skills in motivation, goal setting, giving feedback – everything you need, in fact, to become a great manager of people.
Challenges and activities
As part of your development, you’ll have the chance to contribute directly to our local and global impact through our Sustainable Futures Trophy programme. Working in a team, you’ll look at new ways we can genuinely tackle social or environmental challenges in how we do business. You’ll also arrange and take part in a Community Day with your fellow graduates, as part of our Helping Hands programme - and get involved in national challenges, such as the Times Leadership Challenge.
