Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship (SQE) - 2026 - Weightmans

Deadline: midday 30 January 2025

Our graduate solicitor apprenticeship is for those who have completed their law degree, or those who have completed a non-law degree and the GDL.

What is a graduate solicitor apprenticeship?

Our graduate solicitor apprenticeship is for those who have completed their law degree, or those who have completed a non-law degree and the PGDL (or equivalent). You can apply from the penultimate year of your law degree, or final year of your non-law degree. 

Our graduate solicitor apprenticeship will support you through to qualification as a solicitor by completion of the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE1 and SQE2). As you are not required to complete the SQE before joining the firm, you are able to start straight from your degree or PGDL - gaining more on-the-job experience, and earning a salary, earlier.

Our apprenticeship is a 32-month programme designed to provide you with an excellent training experience leading to your qualification as a solicitor. You’ll be able to test your skills across five seats within the business whilst supported by a robust network. You will be given the opportunity to learn from legal experts whilst completing high quality work with responsibly and client exposure.

If you are currently already studying towards the SQE, unfortunately you are not eligible for our programme due to repetition of content.

What is included in the Weightmans graduate solicitor apprenticeship?

You will complete five work placements in teams across the business. One day each week will be dedicated to off-the-job learning whilst completing your solicitor qualifying exams (SQE1 and SQE2) with BPP University Law School, with all fees paid by the firm.

Is the graduate solicitor apprenticeship for you?

To apply for the role of trainee solicitor you will be a graduate or be due to graduate before September 2026. If your degree is not a qualifying law degree (LLB) you will be required to also complete a post graduate diploma in law (or equivalent) before commencing your training. If you are currently already studying towards the SQE, unfortunately you are not eligible for our programme due to repetition of content.

Our trainee solicitors will develop the competencies listed below as they progress through the programme. These competencies are also used to help shape our early careers recruitment processes; we assess for potential in these areas, but we do not expect experience.

• Reasons and problem solves effectively with complex data and information and learns quickly.
• Plans, organises, prioritises and manages resources and time.
• IT literate.
• Has a strong commercial focus.
• Emotionally resilient, mature and positive when the going gets tough.
• Customer-centric — both internal and external.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Demonstrates integrity.
• Is achievement-driven, shows initiative, takes responsibility with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Attends to the detail and is quality minded.
• Self‐aware — knows own strengths and weaknesses.
• Demonstrates effective communication both verbally and in writing.
• Assertive and socially confident.
• Influential and persuasive.
• Team player and team builder who networks effectively.
• Diplomatic, tactful and empathic.
• Interpersonally skilled, reads people and situations and then adapts accordingly.
• Aware of and propagates a positive and professional image and persona.

Salary and benefits

For year one as a trainee solicitor, you would receive a salary of £27,000 (£34,000 London), which will increase after 12 months to £29,000 (£36,000 London). As a Weightmans employee, you will also be entitled to our excellent staff benefits including:

• 28 days' holiday
• Healthcare cover
• Pension plan
• Travel loan scheme
• Employee care scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Dental care scheme