Graduate Trainee Solicitor

Arriva Limited; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva is seeking graduates for a two-year Trainee Solicitor programme based at the Sunderland office with hybrid work, three days per week in the office. You will rotate through the in-house Legal team, gaining hands-on experience across a range of legal specialisms and apply for formal qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales.

You will receive structured training, supervision, and regular feedback, with progress reviews aligned to the SRA competency framework.

Qualifications

• On track to achieve a degree (2:1 preferred, strong 2:2 considered).
• Will have passed SQE1 and SQE2 before programme start in Sept 2027.
• Eligible to commence a training contract in the UK.
• Right to work in the UK permanently.
• Willingness to travel as part of the programme.

Responsibilities

• Support operational teams, commercial growth projects and regulatory compliance.
• Work on company secretarial matters and personal injury cases.
• Gain hands-on experience across multiple legal specialisms.
• Structured placements with supervision and regular feedback.
• Progress reviews mapped to the SQE route and competency framework.

Skills

Curiosity

Drive

Communication

Relationship-building

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Education

Undergraduate degree (2:1 preferred)

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.

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 ofEurope'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 their 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

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

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.

About Arriva

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike‑sharing systems, on‑demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.

Thanks for your interest in working on our team!! Our expansion is opening up exciting prospects! As our team grows, we’re on the lookout for the brightest talent to join us. Our ongoing success hinges on this! After reviewing our available positions, we encourage you to apply to those that resonate with your skills. Stay updated on your application status and be alerted to new opportunities that capture your interest! We’re grateful for your consideration to become a part of our dynamic team!