Graduate Trainee Solicitor

arriva; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva invites graduates to join its in-house Legal team as a Trainee Solicitor on a two-year training contract based in Sunderland with hybrid working hours. You will gain hands-on experience across several legal specialisms, supported by qualified solicitors, preparing to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.

During the two years, you will rotate through structured placements, meet progress reviews, and complete a comprehensive training programme covering legal skills, ethics and

Qualifications

• Degree required, 2:1 preferred; strong SQE knowledge is expected.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to build relationships.
• Curiosity, drive and willingness to learn in a fast-paced legal environment.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience across multiple legal specialisms within the in-house team.
• Receive supervision from qualified solicitors and complete structured seats.
• Engage in Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) aligned with SQE routes and participate in the graduate development programme.

Job description

Every day, millions of people rely on transport to access the people, places and opportunities that matter most. At Arriva, we're shaping the future of passenger transport and investing in the people who will help lead it.

We are one of Europe's leading passenger transport partners, helping people get to work, education, healthcare, family and the moments that matter. Operating across 11 countries, with around 35,000 colleagues and more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year, we're a business with the scale to make a difference and the ambition to keep moving forward.

Through our Graduate Programme, we're looking for talented graduates who are curious, motivated to learn and ready to grow their careers with us.

If you're ready to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

The Graduate Opportunity

As a Trainee Solicitor on our Graduate Programme, you'll join our in‑house Legal team on a two‑year training contract designed to take you through qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales. You'll gain hands‑on experience across a range of legal specialisms, supervised throughout by qualified solicitors.

Over two years, you'll complete structured placements across our legal function, developing a broad understanding of how legal advice supports one of Europe's leading passenger transport businesses.

From supporting operational teams, commercial growth projects and regulatory compliance to working on company secretarial matters and personal injury cases, you'll play a genuine role in helping the business navigate complex legal challenges while building the experience needed for your future legal career.

This is a full‑time, two‑year training contract. We provide the supervision, training and practical experience you need to qualify as a solicitor at the end of it.

Throughout your training contract you'll have:

• Day‑to‑day supervision, we will review your work, give you regular feedback and increase your responsibility as your confidence grows
• A supervisor for each seat, plus a senior solicitor who oversees your training across the full two years
• Regular progress reviews mapped to the SRA's Statement of Solicitor Competence, so you always know where you stand and what to focus on next
• Work that counts as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, confirmed with the SRA by a solicitor in our team
• A structured learning programme covering legal skills, professional conduct and ethics, and commercial awareness

Location: This role is based at our Sunderland office and operates on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of three days per week in the office.

What We're Looking For

We're not expecting you to have all the answers. We're looking for graduates with curiosity, drive and the confidence to keep learning. People who take ownership, build positive relationships and want to make a meaningful contribution from day one.

What matters most is your potential. We're looking for people who are eager to learn, motivated to grow and ready to develop your Arriva Graduate EDGE.

About You

We're open to applications from graduates of all degree disciplines. To be eligible for this role you'll need to have passed both SQE1 and SQE2 before the programme starts, and be ready to commence a training contract.

We’re particularly interested in people who:

• Are curious, proactive and eager to learn
• Enjoy solving problems and thinking critically
• Have strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Can analyse information and apply sound judgement
• Enjoy working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders
• Have excellent attention to detail and professionalism
• Are interested in commercial law and the wider business environment
• Aspire to build a career as a qualified solicitor

The Graduate Programme

Alongside your role, you'll also be part of our two‑year graduate development programme, benefiting from structured learning, mentoring, exposure to senior leaders and a connected graduate network across Arriva.

The breadth of experience gained throughout the programme will help you build a strong foundation for your future legal career.

Alongside practical experience across multiple legal specialisms, you'll have opportunities to develop your commercial awareness, stakeholder management and professional skills while working towards becoming qualified as a solicitor.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this opportunity, you'll need:

• To be on track to achieve, or have already achieved, a degree (2:1 preferred, with strong 2:2 applications considered)
• To have passed both SQE1 and SQE2 before September 2027 and be eligible to commence a training contract
• The right to work in the UK permanently
• Availability to join the programme in September 2027
• Willingness to travel where required as part of the programme

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Early Careers team at earlycareers