A training contract is the final stage of qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. It is a two-year period of structured, supervised work experience at a law firm or in-house legal team that turns your academic knowledge into real legal practice.
During your training contract, you work as a trainee solicitor and rotate through different departments known as seats. This gives you experience across several areas of law such as corporate, litigation, property and employment.
1. What You Do as a Trainee
Trainees are involved in day-to-day legal work that gradually builds responsibility. Common tasks include
• Researching and drafting legal documents
• Attending client meetings and taking notes
• Preparing bundles and assisting with cases
• Communicating with clients and counsel
• Managing small matters under supervision
Each seat lasts about six months and is supervised by an experienced solicitor who reviews your work and provides feedback.
2. How It Fits Into Qualification
At the end of the two years, you complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC) and, if you meet the required standards, you qualify as a solicitor.
Under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, a training contract can count as part of your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This means your firm records the experience and confirms that you have developed the necessary competencies.
3. What Law Firms Look For
Firms usually recruit trainees two years in advance, so students often apply during or just after university. The most important skills include
• Commercial awareness and attention to detail
• Teamwork and communication
• Resilience, adaptability and curiosity
• A genuine interest in the firm’s clients and sectors
Most firms recruit through vacation schemes, direct training contract applications or both.
4. How to Prepare
• Research firms early and understand their practice areas
• Build experiences that show transferable skills such as communication, leadership and organisation
• Use frameworks like the STAR Method to structure your application answers
• Develop commercial awareness through reading, podcasts and discussions
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