Solicitor Apprenticeship 2025

Our solicitor apprenticeship scheme is a six–year Level 7 apprenticeship, where you will gain a law degree LLB (Hons) and qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales based on the successful completion of the Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE).

All tuition fees are funded by the firm and you will also earn a salary whilst working towards your qualification as a solicitor. During the first four years of the apprenticeship, apprentices will rotate to different practice areas including Commercial IP/IT/DCL, Patent Litigation, Corporate, Tax, Employment and Competition. There may also be an opportunity to complete a client secondment to one of our many valued and well known clients. Your working week will consist of a day of study, provided by BPP, and four days working with the guidance of our expert lawyers, enabling you to put legal concepts you have learnt into practice straight away. For the final two years, apprentices will join the trainee solicitor rotation and will be able to experience additional practice areas or return to one previously enjoyed, with the view to potential qualification.

What to expect as a Solicitor Apprentice at Bristows 

The firm aims to support our apprentices with their transition to the professional workplace and has designed an initial induction programme that gives a detailed introduction to the firm’s strategy, values and core business skills to equip our apprentices with a strong foundation. Our apprentices are paired with a partner who is responsible for overseeing the development of our apprentices. Key legal skills including legal research, due diligence drafting, client interaction, time recording and commercial awareness are all tasks apprentices will experience. A ‘welcome buddy’ is also assigned to help our apprentices settle in and build relationships with others round the firm.

The Learning & Development team provide training on legal and core skills to compliment the programme provided by BPP. Our training platforms are available to our apprentices throughout their whole experience as well as in person sessions to assist their development. 

The trainee solicitors at Bristows also support our apprentices throughout the programme prior to when they join the rotations in the fourth year. Our apprentices often attend know how sessions and have monthly meetings with trainees from different departments to gain further knowledge on a wide range of topics, from basic skills up to interesting case studies and general advice.

Qualifications to be acquired: You will gain a law degree LLB (Hons) and qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales based on the successful completion of the Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE).

Application dates: Applications are open for our September 2025 solicitor apprentice intake. Applications close 2 January 2025.