Training Contract

Hill Dickinson is accepting applications for its September 2029 training contracts, with opportunities across offices in Liverpool, Manchester, London, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham.

Applications for the 2026/27 recruitment cycle opened on 1 October 2026. Candidates applying for a training contract only, or for a training contract combined with an insight day, must apply by 10 January 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

The Training Contract

Hill Dickinson's training contract lasts two years and consists of four six-month seats.

The programme is designed to give trainees broad practical experience while allowing them to develop their interests within one of the firm's three principal business groups:

Business Services

Health

Marine

Trainees can shape their experience by selecting from a wide range of practice areas and gaining first-hand experience of the legal work undertaken for clients across different sectors.

Training Contract Locations

Training contract opportunities are available in:

• Birmingham

• Leeds

• Liverpool

• London

• Manchester

• Newcastle

The availability of particular seats varies between offices and business groups.

Practice Areas

Hill Dickinson offers trainees exposure to a broad range of legal practice areas.

Business Services

Available areas include:

• Banking

• Commercial Dispute Resolution

• Commercial, TMT and IP

• Construction and Engineering

• Corporate

• Education and Ecclesiastical

• Employment

• Family

• Pensions

• Private Client

• Real Estate

• Real Estate Finance

• Real Estate Litigation

• Regulatory

• Restructuring

• Tax and Financial Services

Health

Health-focused opportunities include:

• Employment NHS

• Health Litigation

• Health Real Estate

• Healthcare and Public Law

• Healthcare Commercial

• Primary Care

Marine

Marine opportunities include:

• Cargo and Logistics

• Commodities

• Personal Injury and Regulatory

• Shipping

• Yachts

Support During the Training Contract

Each six-month seat includes two reviews with Hill Dickinson's dedicated trainee committee.

The committee consists of partners, legal directors and senior associates from across the firm's business groups. It monitors trainee progress, provides advice and helps trainees identify areas for development throughout the training contract.

Trainees also participate in a specialist trainee development programme. Sessions take place every two months and focus on business skills and personal and professional development.

The programme is designed to provide trainees with a strong foundation for their legal careers while helping them build relationships with other trainees across the firm.

Insight Days

As part of the training contract recruitment process, candidates may be invited to attend an insight day at one of Hill Dickinson's UK offices.

The insight day provides an opportunity to experience the firm's working environment and gain a better understanding of the business group in which the candidate is interested.

Candidates can expect to:

• Meet lawyers and current trainees.

• Complete practical tasks.

• Learn about the firm's different sectors and practice areas.

• Gain insight into the trainee experience.

• Experience Hill Dickinson's working culture.

The insight day is intended to give candidates a more informed understanding of the firm and its training contract before progressing further through the recruitment process.

Recruitment Process

Hill Dickinson's early careers recruitment process consists of several stages.

Stage 1: Online Application

Candidates complete an online application form providing personal and academic information and answering questions specific to Hill Dickinson.

The firm has partnered with LawCareers.Net and uses its MyLocker platform, allowing candidates to store academic information and upload it directly to the application form.

Stage 2: Online Assessment

Candidates who progress through the application stage complete an online assessment involving interactive questions and a recorded video interview.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning candidates may be invited to complete the assessment before the application window closes.

Stage 3: Assessment Day

Successful candidates are invited to an assessment day held in person.

The assessment day includes interactive tasks, group activities and presentations, providing candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a practical environment.

Stage 4: Panel Interview

Candidates who progress from the assessment day attend an in-person panel interview with members of the Hill Dickinson team.

Contextual Recruitment

Hill Dickinson uses a name-blind recruitment process during the early stages of its recruitment process, with decisions based on merit.

The firm also uses the REALrating contextual recruitment tool, which considers the context in which candidates achieved their academic results. This allows the recruitment process to take account of candidates' circumstances rather than relying solely on examination results.

Hill Dickinson also works with organisations including Aspiring Solicitors and Bright Network as part of its approach to widening access to the profession.

Flexible Training Contracts

Hill Dickinson offers flexible routes into the profession and can support successful candidates who need to undertake their training on a part-time basis.

Through its partnership with Project Rise, the firm can support individuals who may require part-time hours because of disability, caring responsibilities or other personal circumstances that make full-time hours challenging.

SQE and Qualification

Candidates who receive a training contract and have not started the LPC will follow Hill Dickinson's SQE route to qualification.

Hill Dickinson covers the cost of the SQE programme and examination fees and provides a maintenance grant while trainees study.

Candidates who are already studying for the SQE can discuss how their existing studies can be integrated into the firm's programme. Candidates who have completed or are studying the LPC can continue through the LPC and PSC route.

Salary

Trainees based in Hill Dickinson's northern offices start on £31,000, while London trainees start on £44,000.

Both salaries increase in the second year of the training contract.

Qualification Leave

As trainees approach the end of their training contract, Hill Dickinson provides qualification leave to allow them to prepare for qualification and their transition into their new role as a qualified solicitor.

Life at Hill Dickinson

Trainees are encouraged to contribute beyond their individual legal teams.

During the training contract, trainees can participate in:

• Corporate responsibility initiatives.

• Diversity and inclusion groups.

• Law fairs.

• Business development events.

• Wider firm activities.

The firm also offers a range of benefits, including a birthday privilege day, holiday purchase and sale, medical insurance, fitness allowance, dental cover, employee assistance and travel-related benefits.

Application Deadline

Applications for the September 2029 training contract close on:

10 January 2027

Applications opened on 1 October 2026.

Hill Dickinson reviews applications on a rolling basis and encourages candidates to apply early.