Trainee Solicitor

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is looking for two Trainee Solicitors to join its legal services team. The successful candidates will complete a structured training programme aligned with SRA requirements, covering various legal areas. Applicants must have completed the LPC and possess a strong academic background along with good communication skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary ranging from £33,143 to £36,363, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth in a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local Government Pension

Enhanced parental leave

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by the start of the contract.
• A genuine interest in local government and public law.
• The ability to handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Develop contentions and non-contentious legal work.
• Manage a caseload with supervision from Legal Services Group Leaders.

Skills

Strong academic background

Excellent communication skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Professionalism and discretion

Education

Legal Practice Course (LPC)

Job description

About The Role

Position Title: Trainee Solicitor x 2

Location: Town Hall Extension, Manchester

Department: Legal Services

Salary: Grade 6, £33,143- £36,363

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, 2-Year Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date: 18 January 2026 (23:59)

Interview: TBC

This role is subject to:

2 References: where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualification: Successful completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by the start of the contract

DBS clearance: this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

Manchester aims to be in the top-flight of world-class cities, with a dynamic economy and highly skilled people; to be well-connected, limiting climate change, and helping all of us feel safe and live well in our attractive and welcoming city.

Our Lexcel-accredited Legal Services Team offers an excellent opportunity for two trainee solicitors to join one of the largest in-house Local Authority legal teams in the UK, running a shared service with Salford City Council, and with Rochdale Borough Council for Children’s legal work. In addition, we also provide legal support to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and these roles put you among the few practitioners in England’s first, and biggest, devolved region.

Your training will follow a structured programme in line with SRA requirements, enabling you to develop both contentious and non-contentious experience across various teams and disciplines within MCC Legal Groups as detailed below. The role involves working with both internal and external clients alongside experienced team members, covering contentious and non-contentious work.

You will undertake seats on a 6 month rotation within:

• Governance Legal Group
• Children's and Family Legal Group
• People, Place and Regulatory Legal Group
• Regeneration Legal Group

You will manage a variety of tasks in a sometimes-high‑pressure environment, overseeing your caseload with supervision from the Legal Services Group Leaders and your Training Principle.

We offer excellent employee benefits including a competitive salary with annual pay rises, 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension, 26 days plus an extra 5 days after 5 years’ service, and many more staff benefits. For the full list please see the link below. https://jobs.manchester.gov.uk/why-work-for-us.aspx

About the Candidate

You’ll be a motivated and organised individual with:

• Successful completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by the start of the contract
• A strong academic background and excellent communication skills
• A genuine interest in local government and public law
• The ability to adapt, take initiative, and contribute to team‑based service delivery
• Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance: Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension: You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave: Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks: Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow: We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member: We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave: Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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