What are the grade requirements for a training contract?
We look for good A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications, such as BTEC) and a 2.1 minimum at degree level. You should aim to make your overall application the best that it can be, including your personal statement and work history. You must have also completed the LPC or SQE 1 and 2 by the start of the training contract in September 2025.
Can I choose which team I work in?
You might already know which area of law you want to specialise in. We will always try to match teams to your particular areas of interest; however this is not always possible.
Choices are made depending on your own interests and which team can accommodate a trainee at a particular time. If you don't know which area you want to pursue, then this is a good opportunity for you to find out more about what each area of law has to offer.
Am I guaranteed a role at the end of the training contract?
The training contract will be a fixed term contract for two years and, although we cannot guarantee a role at the end of the training contract, it is in our best interest to offer you permanent employment as we will have invested heavily in your training and will want to retain you. In recent years our retention rate has been extremely high.
What locations are training contracts available at?
We expect the majority of each trainee's time to be spent in the Chester office, however there may also be opportunities (or sometimes a requirement) to spend time in the Shrewsbury office and there may also be the opportunity to qualify into Shrewsbury at the end of the contract.
Will I know which team I will be going into before I start?
Yes. We will contact you as part of the offer process to inform you of the team you will join first and who will you be working with.
How much training and coaching can I expect?
You will work alongside a Partner in each seat, learning directly from them and supporting them with their case loads along with other fee earners within the team. You will also have close contact with our training partners and the HR Manager, who will be on hand to provide advice and support. Our training programme usually consists of four 6 month seats.
What does the assessment day include?
The assessment day is a key part our selection process to recruit the best people. If you have been selected to attend an assessment day you will receive an email inviting you to attend a morning or afternoon session. The session will include a 45 minute interview with the Training Partners and HR Manager. In the first part of the interview you will be asked to feed back on a task that will be sent to you via email the day before to prepare. The second part will be competency based questions. There will also be a 30 minute group exercise and a lunchtime Q&A; where you will get to meet other fee earners and trainees at the firm.
Will there be opportunities to socialise with the rest of the firm?
Yes. We have an extremely active social committee that organises our annual summer and Christmas parties. We have Friday drinks once a month too, paid for by the firm, and other events through the year to show our appreciation for our people. Once a year we close the office for an afternoon and take everyone off site for an annual general meeting where we spend a couple of hours provide updates on performance and other key firm wide issues but mainly the day is about spending time with colleagues and enjoying ourselves.