Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship - Sept 2026 - Forbes Solicitors

Deadline 29 May 2025

Trainee Solicitor – Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship - 2026 with UK Employer of the Year 2024: Silver (250+) - Investors in People Awards

Are you ready to take the next step in your legal career?

Join the Investors in People, UK Employer of the Year Award Winners on our SQE training programme.  Our programme takes the form of a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship and allows you to start working and earning at Forbes Solicitors LLP after you finish university.

During your apprenticeship you will experience with various different seats in diverse legal areas, gaining hands-on exposure to client work from the start. As you develop, your responsibilities will expand, offering opportunities to work on more complex cases before sitting the SQE1 and SQE2 exams to qualify as a solicitor.

You will also receive guidance through one-to-one sessions with experienced solicitors, mentors, and dedicated Graduate Recruitment Team who will offer you their advice and help you develop your knowledge, skills and experience, helping you become a well-rounded Solicitor.

The 36-month apprenticeship programme will be delivered by UCLAN, our partnered university and will be fully funded by the Firm.

You can apply for a graduate solicitor apprenticeship from the penultimate year of your law degree, or final year of your non-law degree (if you plan to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law, or equivalent).

What we look for in a Forbes Trainee

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, skills and behaviours in:

Qualification:

A Law Degree (or equivalent) or completion of the GDL/PGDL.

Prospective trainees looking to start the Graduate Apprenticeship must have completed a law degree or the GDL/PGDL prior to starting with Forbes.  

Dedication to the Legal Field:

Practical exposure to law through activities like court attendance, pro-bono work, legal clinics, work placements, or roles within a law firm (e.g., Paralegal, vacation schemes).

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours:

aligns with the Firms values;
have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills;
have the ability to work as part of a team;
have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
have strong commercial awareness;
strong local connections to the Lancashire, Manchester and Yorkshire areas;
have proven competence in their IT skills (Outlook, Word, and other systems experience);
have good communication skills, both written and verbal;

Following a successful application, candidates will be invited to take part in the next stage of the Graduate Recruitment process. For further information and the dates set for the recruitment process, please see our Website - Graduate Recruitment Process

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others.  We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

33 days annual leave, including bank holidays
Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs)
Celebration leave
Ongoing professional development
Progression opportunities
Company pension
Profit share scheme
Long service awards
Subsidised tuck shops
Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services)
BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents)
Retailer and gym membership discounts
Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs)
Annual Events

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.