Training Contract - 2028 and 2029

Ashtons Legal; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashtons Legal LLP invites penultimate and final-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates who meet our academic requirements to apply for a Training Contract starting in 2028 or 2029. We may sponsor a one-year SQE programme, with a view to commencing two years of qualifying work experience upon successful completion.

Training contracts are available across our East Anglian offices: Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich. Leeds placements are not offered.

Qualifications

• Qualifying law degree or equivalent with a minimum 2:1 or above.
• Eligibility to work in the UK and a strong academic record.
• Clear evidence of good communication and organisational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Vacation Scheme and assessment process.
• Support trainees across East Anglia offices through the Training Contract pathway.
• Develop legal knowledge and professional skills to qualify as a solicitor.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Education

Qualifying law degree or equivalent

Job description

Location: On site / Bury St Edmunds, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
job type: Fixed term / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Legal | In House
Salary: Competitive salary

Trainee Solicitor - 2028 and 2029

We would like to hear from penultimate and final-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates who meet our academic requirements, reflect our core values and are available to begin a training contract in September 2028 and 2029.

If applicable, we will sponsor you to complete a one-year SQE programme, with a view to you commencing your two-year period of qualifying work experience upon successful completion.

Our recruitment process begins with an application to our Vacation Scheme. Candidates who are invited to take part will complete a combination of assessments, interviews and work-based activities, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their academic aptitude, commercial awareness, communication skills and alignment with Ashtons’ Core Values. Performance throughout the Vacation Scheme will form part of the assessment for a Training Contract, with successful candidates offered a place on our Trainee Solicitor Programme.

We have training contract opportunities across all of our East Anglian offices (Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich).

We are unable to offer any placements in our Leeds office.

Timeline

Applications open: 1st November 2026

Applications close: 1 st January 2027

Application outcomes: 1 st February 2027

Assessment and Work Placement Scheme: week commencingMonday 5th - Friday 9th April 2027

At the end of the Assessment and Placement Scheme we will offer Training Contracts to successful candidates, to commence in 2028 and 2029.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you should:

• Be studying towards, or have completed, a qualifying law degree or equivalent qualification and be on track to achieve, or have achieved, a minimum 2:1 degree classification
• At least three A levels (ABB minimum)
• Demonstrate a strong academic record
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Show a genuine interest in pursuing a career as a solicitor
• Be able to demonstrate strong communication, teamwork and organisational skills

This advertisement is intended to gather expressions of interest for future Trainee Solicitor opportunities.

Candidates who register their interest will receive a full application form, which must be completed and submitted for consideration. Registration of interest does not constitute a formal application and you will need to complete the form to be considered for the the next stage of the recruitment process.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include interviews, assessments, and other recruitment activities.