Apprentice Solicitor
Fixed Term, Full Time
£14,567, rising to £23,557 in second year.
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style:
Closing Date: 11th May 2025
Are you an aspiring solicitor eager to dive into the legal profession without the burden of university fees? Our Solicitor Apprenticeship offers you the chance to earn as you learn, funded by us and the government, allowing you to avoid student debt. Get into the workplace sooner, work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, and obtain a degree while employed. This could be the perfect opportunity to kickstart your legal career!
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract for up to 6 years and 9 months.
As an ‘Anywhere Worker’ role, there will be a combination of onsite and remote working. There is an expectation that you will be required to work onsite 5 days each week in the first 3 months, 4 days each week for the following 6 months and then 3 days each week for the remainder of the contract.
Benefits:
1. Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options
2. Wide range of learning and development opportunities
3. IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied
4. 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra
5. Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
6. Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards
7. Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group
8. Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave
9. A range of employee networks and communities to support staff and promote change. These include: LGBTQ+ Employee Network, Ethnically Diverse Employee Network (EDEN), Differently Adept Working Network (DAWN), Christian Network, Interfaith Forum, Young Person’s Network & Many more!
What our Apprentices say:
During my apprenticeship, I have had the opportunity to experience a wide range of law, from contentious to non-contentious work. I also see the impact of my work first hand within the community, which, along with the interesting cases that I am able to work on, is incredibly enriching. I am grateful for the experience that I have gained throughout my apprenticeship and the level of autonomy that is granted to me as a solicitor apprentice within ELS. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor to consider a solicitor apprenticeship with ELS specifically because of the vast range of interesting work and encouraging working environment. Lucy Kerwin, Apprentice Solicitor.
The Role
Essex Legal Services provide high quality, professional, legal advice across the Council and to external clients, enabling them to make well informed decisions which positively impact on service delivery whilst meeting statutory requirements.
They work closely with senior leaders to make a real difference to the delivery of the business of the Council and the business of their clients.
For this position you will be studying towards a via the. On completion of the apprenticeship, you will be awarded an LLB in Legal Practice and Skills.
Find out more about why you should choose a Law Apprenticeship !
The Opportunity
Essex County Council is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join Essex Legal Services team as a Solicitor Apprentice.
As a Solicitor Apprentice you'll spend a minimum of 8 hours of your working week studying, with the remaining time being for you to undertake a comprehensive programme of training and development through planned placements throughout Essex Legal Services in order to gain a broad base of qualifying legal experience.
This is a developmental role, offering the opportunity to undertake a 6 year programme of placements throughout Essex Legal Services, in addition to online learning one day per week of study with the University of Law to work towards your LLB university degree, completion of the SQE 1 and 2 and the study of other key skills including the preparation of a work-based portfolio of evidence.
You will be involved in up to 6 different placements in the service. This position provides the work-based experience to compliment the learning-based elements of the Apprenticeship Framework and will offer you a supportive environment in which to gain a wealth of experience and transferable skills.
If you are looking to become a crucial part of a friendly, welcoming and high achieving team, this could be the opportunity you are looking for.
The starting salary will be the National Apprenticeship Wage, £7.55 per hour / £14,567 per annum. After 12 months service the salary will increase to National Living Wage (currently £12.21 per hour / £23,557 per annum). Progressing incrementally to £38,656.00 by Year 5.
What Will I be doing?
As a Solicitor Apprentice you will complete a comprehensive programme of training and development to obtain the required skills, knowledge, values, behaviours and competencies to be awarded an LLB in Legal Practice and Skills.
You will complete the SQE 1 and 2 examinations within the agreed, contracted timeframe (SQE 1 in the penultimate year of study, and SQE 2 in the final year of study).
As this is a development opportunity your duties will vary over the course of the apprenticeship. In the first two-three years, you will carry out routine administrative tasks in the legal team and fulfil a planned programme of job placements in the legal service across the various teams.
In the final three years as a Solicitor Apprentice, you will be undertaking trainee-level tasks. You will assist with the delivery of routine tasks, dealing with day-to-day work including (but not limited to):
10. Meet all required criteria at the end of each placement for progression.
11. From year 4 onwards, prepare a work-based portfolio of evidence.
12. Undertake a wide range of projects, duties and responsibilities to achieve high standards within each placement and demonstrate the deliverable outcomes as agreed at the start of the programme.
13. Conduct proceedings and transactions under the supervision and training of a qualified solicitor including: attending courts and tribunals; drafting legal documents and correspondence; taking instructions and identifying clients' requirements and goals; evaluating and assessing information, evidence and legal issues including carrying out research.
14. Build strong professional relationships within the council to improve cross function understanding and partnership working.
15. Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
What will I need?
Essential Criteria:
16. 3 A Levels at Grade C or above, or equivalent.
17. 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, or equivalent, at Grade C/4 or above
18. As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live and work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.
19. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date
Desirable Criteria:
20. Ability to review own performance and progression to learn from successes and setbacks.
21. Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge.
22. Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft office and reasonable keyboard skills.
23. Good communication skills with the ability to work with others to achieve tasks and deliver results.
24. A positive attitude: a ‘can do’ approach, good work ethic and willingness to learn
Recruitment Timeline:
25. 11th May 2025: Applications close
26. 27th May – 8th June 2025: Video interviews
27. 17th July 2025: Assessment centre and final interview
28. W/c 21st July: Offers made to successful candidate
29. July/August: Pre-employment checks
30. September: Start date
How to apply:
Start your journey within Essex Legal Services by clicking the APPLY button now!
You MUST submit a supporting statement along with your CV detailing why you have applied and what you feel you could bring to this role. Applications without a supporting statement will be closed without consideration.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about
, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join
Follow us on,, and. Further details can be found on our .
Downloads
| | |