Solicitor Apprenticeship

Trowers & Hamlins is an international law firm with offices across the UK and the Middle East. The firm's practice covers a broad range of commercial legal work, providing apprentices with the opportunity to gain experience across different areas of legal practice during their training.

The solicitor apprenticeship provides an alternative route into the profession for school leavers and other non-graduates. Apprentices are employed by Trowers & Hamlins from the beginning of the programme, receive a salary and benefits, and work towards qualification as a solicitor while gaining practical experience within the firm.

The 2027 programme is available in Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester, allowing apprentices to begin their careers in one of four UK offices.

The Solicitor Apprenticeship

The programme combines academic study with practical legal work.

During the first four years, apprentices work towards a law degree while completing yearly rotations around different departments. This provides broad exposure to the firm's practice areas and allows apprentices to develop their legal knowledge alongside practical workplace skills.

During the final approximately 18 months, apprentices prepare for and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) while undertaking further six-month departmental rotations alongside the firm's trainee solicitors.

Apprentices are employed full-time and spend approximately 20% of their working week on off-the-job study and learning. Most academic study is completed online through The University of Law, with opportunities for face-to-face learning and use of University of Law campuses in the firm's UK locations.

At the end of the programme, apprentices will have completed a qualifying law degree, the Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship and the SQE, enabling them to qualify as an English solicitor.

Practical Legal Experience

The apprenticeship is designed around learning through real legal work rather than studying for a degree separately from employment.

Apprentices can expect to work with colleagues across different departments and gradually take on greater responsibility as their knowledge and experience develop. Depending on the department, apprentices may work on their own files under supervision or contribute to contentious and non-contentious matters as part of a wider legal team.

As apprentices progress, they may also have direct contact with clients and develop an understanding of how legal advice is delivered in practice.

The annual rotations during the degree stage are designed to provide a broad foundation before apprentices move into longer six-month rotations during the SQE stage.

Academic Requirements

Candidates should have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least:

128 UCAS points (ABB) from their top three A levels or equivalent qualifications.

Candidates should also have at least six GCSEs at Grade 6/B or above, including English and Mathematics.

The programme is intended for school leavers and other non-graduates. Candidates who have already graduated from university or are currently studying at university are not eligible for this solicitor apprenticeship and should consider Trowers & Hamlins' trainee solicitor opportunities instead.

Trowers & Hamlins considers mitigating circumstances. Candidates who do not meet the stated academic requirements can explain their circumstances within the application, and these will be taken into account when the application is assessed.

What Trowers & Hamlins Looks For

Academic performance is only one part of the selection process. Trowers & Hamlins looks for candidates who can demonstrate the qualities needed to develop into effective solicitors.

These include:

Growth mindset: Being willing to learn, respond to feedback and continue developing.

Adaptability: Being able to respond positively to changing circumstances and different working environments.

Analytical ability: Being able to analyse information, interpret problems and exercise sound judgment.

Collaboration: Building effective relationships and working constructively with colleagues.

Commercial awareness: Understanding the business environment in which the firm and its clients operate.

Communication: Explaining complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Innovation: Showing curiosity about new developments and the changing legal and business environment.

Judgment: Considering information carefully and forming informed conclusions.

Personal responsibility: Taking ownership of tasks and responsibilities.

Resilience: Remaining determined and constructive when dealing with challenges or setbacks.

The firm also looks for organisation, initiative, teamwork, drive and a sense of responsibility.

Application Process

Online Application

Candidates begin by completing an online application form. This requires information about education and employment or work experience, together with responses to a series of longer application questions.

Applications are not assessed on a rolling basis. Trowers & Hamlins considers applications after the closing date.

Online Strengths-Based Assessment

After submitting an application, candidates are automatically invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment.

The assessment is designed to consider candidates' strengths in the context of the solicitor apprentice role. It is not timed, although candidates are advised to allow up to approximately 75 minutes to complete it.

Candidates receive a feedback report following the assessment for personal development purposes. The assessment and application are considered together after the application deadline.

Assessment Centre

Candidates who progress through the initial stages are invited to an in-person assessment centre at the office for which they applied.

The assessment centre consists of three exercises:

Written exercise

Strengths-based interview

Group exercise

These exercises are designed to assess candidates' ability to communicate, analyse information, work with others and demonstrate the strengths required for a solicitor apprenticeship.

Salary and Benefits

The current starting salary for the 2027 intake is:

Birmingham, Exeter and Manchester: £26,000

London: £28,500

Salaries are reviewed annually.

Apprentices also receive a benefits package including:

Five weeks' annual leave each year.

Pension scheme.

Interest-free season ticket loan.

Private medical insurance.

The cost of the apprenticeship qualification and learning materials is covered by the employer, so apprentices do not have to pay towards their apprenticeship or qualification.

Study and Training

The training provider for the programme is The University of Law.

Apprentices spend approximately one day each week on their off-the-job study and learning. Most study is completed online, with opportunities for face-to-face learning during the programme.

The combination of academic study and practical experience means apprentices can apply what they learn to real legal work while developing professional skills in the workplace.

Career Progression and Qualification

Approximately five months before qualification, apprentices are introduced to the qualification process and can apply for available positions within the firm's departments.

Apprentices can apply to departments in which they are interested, with individual departments conducting their own interview processes before offers are made.

There may also be opportunities to qualify into an overseas office where a suitable vacancy exists. Apprentices who qualify into a UK office may also have opportunities to transfer overseas at a later stage.

Insight Events

Trowers & Hamlins is also running insight opportunities for students interested in its solicitor apprenticeship programme.

The 2026 in-person insight days are scheduled for:

Birmingham: 10 November 2026

Exeter: 19 November 2026

London: 24 November 2026

Manchester: 25 November 2026

The firm is also running an online application masterclass on 27 January 2027. These events provide information about the legal profession, Trowers & Hamlins' practice areas and clients, and the application process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Trowers & Hamlins designed its solicitor apprenticeship programme as an alternative route into the profession for candidates who may not wish or be able to follow the traditional university-to-training-contract route.

The firm considers candidates from a range of backgrounds and takes mitigating circumstances into account. Adjustments can also be provided during the recruitment process where required.

The four-office structure also gives candidates the opportunity to begin their legal careers in Birmingham, Exeter, London or Manchester rather than being limited to a London-based programme.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Trowers & Hamlins Solicitor Apprenticeship 2027 close at:

19 February 2027 at 11:59pm

The apprenticeship starts in September 2027 and is available in Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester.