Apprentice Solicitor

Medirest Signature; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated individual for a Solicitor Apprentice role. This exciting opportunity offers a comprehensive training program, allowing you to gain practical legal experience while studying towards an LLB in Legal Practice and Skills. You'll engage in various placements within the legal services, developing essential skills and competencies. This role promises a supportive environment where you can thrive and contribute to impactful legal solutions. If you aspire to build a rewarding career in law, this apprenticeship could be your stepping stone to success.

Qualifications

• Essential: 3 A Levels at Grade C or above or equivalent.
• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.

Responsibilities

• Complete a comprehensive training program to obtain required skills.
• Conduct proceedings under the supervision of a qualified solicitor.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work with others

Positive attitude

Review own performance

Education

3 A Levels at Grade C or above

5 GCSEs including Maths and English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Essex Legal Services provide high quality, professional, legal advice across the Council and to external clients, enabling them to make well informed decisions which positively impact on service delivery whilst meeting statutory requirements.

They work closely with senior leaders to make a real difference to the delivery of the business of the Council and the business of their clients.

For this position you will be studying towards a Solicitor Apprentice Standard Level 7 via the University of Law . On completion of the apprenticeship, you will be awarded an LLB in Legal Practice and Skills.

Find out more about why you should choose a Law Apprenticeship here!

To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join Essex Legal Services team as a Solicitor Apprentice.

As a Solicitor Apprentice you'll spend a minimum of 8 hours of your working week studying, with the remaining time being for you to undertake a comprehensive programme of training and development through planned placements throughout Essex Legal Services in order to gain a broad base of qualifying legal experience.

This is a developmental role, offering the opportunity to undertake a 6 year programme of placements throughout Essex Legal Services, in addition to online learning one day per week of study with the University of Law to work towards your LLB university degree, completion of the SQE 1 and 2 and the study of other key skills including the preparation of a work-based portfolio of evidence.

You will be involved in up to 6 different placements in the service. This position provides the work-based experience to compliment the learning-based elements of the Apprenticeship Framework and will offer you a supportive environment in which to gain a wealth of experience and transferable skills.

If you are looking to become a crucial part of a friendly, welcoming and high achieving team, this could be the opportunity you are looking for.

The starting salary will be the National Apprenticeship Wage, £7.55 per hour / £14,567 per annum. After 12 months service the salary will increase to National Living Wage (currently £12.21 per hour / £23,557 per annum). Progressing incrementally to £38,656.00 by Year 5.

What Will I be doing?

As a Solicitor Apprentice you will complete a comprehensive programme of training and development to obtain the required skills, knowledge, values, behaviours and competencies to be awarded an LLB in Legal Practice and Skills.

You will complete the SQE 1 and 2 examinations within the agreed, contracted timeframe (SQE 1 in the penultimate year of study, and SQE 2 in the final year of study).

As this is a development opportunity your duties will vary over the course of the apprenticeship. In the first two-three years, you will carry out routine administrative tasks in the legal team and fulfil a planned programme of job placements in the legal service across the various teams.

In the final three years as a Solicitor Apprentice, you will be undertaking trainee-level tasks. You will assist with the delivery of routine tasks, dealing with day-to-day work including (but not limited to):

• Meet all required criteria at the end of each placement for progression.

• From year 4 onwards, prepare a work-based portfolio of evidence.

• Undertake a wide range of projects, duties and responsibilities to achieve high standards within each placement and demonstrate the deliverable outcomes as agreed at the start of the programme.

• Conduct proceedings and transactions under the supervision and training of a qualified solicitor including: attending courts and tribunals; drafting legal documents and correspondence; taking instructions and identifying clients' requirements and goals; evaluating and assessing information, evidence and legal issues including carrying out research.

• Build strong professional relationships within the council to improve cross function understanding and partnership working.

• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

What will I need?

Essential Criteria:

• 3 A Levels at Grade C or above, or equivalent.
• 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, or equivalent, at Grade C/4 or above
• As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live and work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.
• You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date

Desirable Criteria:

• Ability to review own performance and progression to learn from successes and setbacks.

• Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge.

• Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft office and reasonable keyboard skills.

• Good communication skills with the ability to work with others to achieve tasks and deliver results.

• A positive attitude: a 'can do' approach, good work ethic and willingness to learn

Recruitment Timeline:

• 11th May 2025: Applications close
• 27th May - 8th June 2025: Video interviews
• 17th July 2025: Assessment centre and final interview
• W/c 21st July: Offers made to successful candidate
• July/August: Pre-employment checks
• September: Start date