Trainee Solicitor

Start the Route to Qualification with Accutrainee

Accutrainee offers aspiring solicitors an alternative route to qualification through its Trainee Solicitor (SQE/QWE) programme. With more than 14 years of experience supporting legal professionals, Accutrainee provides opportunities to gain Qualifying Work Experience through secondments with leading law firms and in-house legal teams.

Unlike a traditional training contract with a single employer, the Accutrainee model can involve several secondments. Trainees may have the opportunity to work with different organisations, practice areas and industries while developing the legal, commercial and professional skills required to qualify as a solicitor.

Accutrainee recruits throughout the year because opportunities arise on an ongoing basis as its network of law firms and in-house legal teams identify their requirements. (Accutrainee)

What the Programme Offers

As an Accutrainee Trainee Solicitor, candidates may undertake up to four different secondments, gaining Qualifying Work Experience across a range of organisations.

Secondment opportunities can include:

International law firms

Boutique practices

Financial institutions

Technology companies

Scale-ups

In-house legal teams

The programme is designed to provide varied legal experience while allowing trainees to develop a professional network across different organisations and sectors.

Trainees are placed where there is a genuine business need for legal support. This means that trainees can become valued members of their teams and take on meaningful responsibility from an early stage. (Accutrainee)

A Flexible Training Model

The Accutrainee programme differs from a conventional training contract because trainees may experience a combination of contentious and non-contentious secondments.

The precise experience depends on the trainee's development plan and the opportunities available from Accutrainee's client network. This can provide exposure to different practice areas, industries, organisational cultures and approaches to legal work.

The programme is particularly suited to candidates who are adaptable, proactive and comfortable working in different professional environments. Continuous mentoring and support are provided throughout the QWE period. (Accutrainee)

Typical Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a trainee vary according to the secondment organisation and practice area.

Typical responsibilities may include:

Drafting legal documents, contracts and correspondence

Conducting legal research

Supporting solicitors on live matters and transactions

Reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements

Attending client meetings and internal stakeholder discussions

Assisting with corporate transactions, disputes and regulatory matters

Managing matters with increasing levels of responsibility

Developing the competencies required to qualify as a solicitor

The aim is for each secondment to provide practical experience that contributes towards the competencies expected of a newly qualified solicitor. (Accutrainee)

Mentoring and Professional Development

Accutrainee provides ongoing support throughout the trainee's QWE.

Trainees receive personalised mentoring from an experienced senior lawyer, together with support from the Training Principal and dedicated Graduate Team.

Trainees also have access to the Pathways learning and development platform, supporting their continued professional development throughout the programme.

The programme also provides opportunities to participate in networking and social events with other trainees, helping candidates build relationships within the wider Accutrainee community. (Accutrainee)

Who Can Apply?

Accutrainee is seeking ambitious future solicitors who demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, commercial awareness, resilience, adaptability and strong organisational skills.

Candidates should also be able to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate a genuine commitment to pursuing a legal career.

Applicants should have:

A-Level qualifications or equivalent

A degree or equivalent

SQE1 passed, or be approaching completion of a qualifying law degree or GDL

Candidates towards the end of their LLB or GDL are encouraged to apply.

Applications are welcomed from both law and non-law backgrounds. Candidates who have not completed a qualifying law degree or GDL would normally be expected to have passed SQE1 before applying.

Previous paralegal or other relevant legal experience may strengthen an application and broaden the range of secondment opportunities available, although previous legal experience is not a requirement. (Accutrainee)

Accutrainee Scholarship Programme

Candidates who successfully complete the trainee selection process may also be considered for the Accutrainee Scholarship Programme.

The programme is intended to help remove barriers to qualification by supporting aspiring solicitors from underrepresented groups and less advantaged backgrounds.

Successful applicants who secure an Accutrainee secondment through the Scholarship Programme may be eligible for funding towards their SQE assessments and preparation courses. (Accutrainee)

Career Opportunities

The experience gained through Accutrainee's secondment model can also provide opportunities beyond qualification.

There may be potential to secure a newly qualified role with one of the organisations where a trainee has completed a secondment. Future opportunities may also be available through Accuflex, Accutrainee's flexible legal services offering.

This provides trainees with the opportunity to develop relationships with different legal teams and organisations while gaining the experience required for qualification. (Accutrainee)

Recruitment Throughout the Year

Accutrainee recruits throughout the year, rather than operating solely through a fixed annual graduate recruitment cycle.

New requirements regularly arise across its network of law firms and in-house legal teams. This means successful candidates may have opportunities to begin their QWE without waiting for a particular annual intake.

However, submitting an application does not guarantee an immediate secondment. Candidates who successfully pass the selection process join Accutrainee's talent pool and are considered for suitable opportunities as they arise. (Accutrainee)

Locations and Working Arrangements

The vacancy is listed as London & Regional and operates on a hybrid basis.

Accutrainee's listed locations include:

London

Bristol

Peterborough

Sheffield

Liverpool

Leeds

The precise working arrangements and location will depend on the relevant secondment opportunity. (Accutrainee)

Why Apply?

The Accutrainee Trainee Solicitor programme provides a different approach to qualifying as a solicitor. Rather than being limited to one employer and one organisational environment, trainees can gain QWE through multiple secondments with law firms, financial institutions, technology companies, scale-ups and in-house legal teams.

The combination of practical legal experience, multiple secondments, personalised mentoring, professional development and ongoing recruitment provides aspiring solicitors with a flexible route towards qualification.

For candidates who are ready to complete their QWE and want exposure to different areas of legal practice and commercial environments, the Accutrainee Trainee Solicitor programme provides an opportunity to develop the experience and competencies required for qualification.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.