Read more

Ministry of Justice; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Defender Service (PDS) is seeking a Trainee Solicitor to gain hands-on experience across criminal defence within a training-focused environment. You will work with experienced solicitors and advocates, assisting with police station advice, case preparation and client care.

The role provides structured supervision, high-quality training, and opportunities to develop advocacy, litigation and client-care skills while contributing to meaningful public service work.

Qualifications

• Must have completed the LPC or the SQE pathway and require qualifying work experience.

Responsibilities

• Undertake training to conduct unaided cases from arrest through sentence.
• Take instructions from clients, draft statements and attendance notes.
• Develop and advise on options, strategies and solutions.
• Undertake police station representation (including out of hours scheme).
• Conduct legal research and analysis of casework.
• Engage in negotiation, drafting and oral/written advocacy.
• Establish professional relationships with clients and others.
• Plan, manage and progress legal matters and transactions.
• Prioritise and manage work to required standards and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate, complete and clear records.

Education

LPC or SQE with qualifying work experience

Job description

***This role is only for people who have already passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and require qualifying work experience***

At the Public Defender Service (PDS), we believe every person deserves skilled, compassionate and trauma-informed representation. Our teams work across England and Wales to deliver justice with excellence, integrity and humanity, standing alongside people at some of the most challenging moments in their lives.

As a Trainee Solicitor, you will gain hands‑on experience across all areas of criminal defence, working alongside experienced solicitors and advocates in a supportive, training‑focused environment. You will assist with police station advice, case preparation, client care, legal research and court work, developing the skills and confidence needed for a successful career in criminal defence.

We offer a unique learning environment with structured supervision, high-quality training, and opportunities to work with skilled practitioners across our national network. You'll be supported to develop your advocacy, litigation and client‑care skills while contributing to meaningful work that makes a real difference to people's lives.

If you are passionate about public service, committed to social justice, and eager to build a career in criminal defence, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake training in order to conduct the following unaided:
• progressing legal cases from arrest through to sentence;
• taking instructions from clients, drafting statements and preparing attendance notes;
• develop and advise on relevant options, strategies and solutions;
• undertake police station representation (including active participation in our out of hours scheme);
• legal research and analysis of casework;
• negotiation, drafting, communicating orally and in writing;
• undertake effective spoken and written advocacy;
• establishing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with clients and other people;
• plan, manage and progress legal matters and transactions;
• initiate, plan, prioritise and manage work activities to ensure that they are completed efficiently, on time and to an appropriate standard;
• keep, use and maintain accurate, complete and clear records