Training Contract - 2026 - Thompson Smith and Puxon

Application deadline: 30 September 2024

Thompson Smith and Puxon considers trainees to be vital for the future of the firm. We’ll ensure you are properly trained, supported and gain the right experience to emerge from the process as a well-rounded solicitor. We very much see our trainee programme as a route to a long -term career with the firm and not just a route to qualification. We have a very successful track record of retention with our trainees with many staying to progress their career at TSP, with some having become Associates and Directors at the firm.

Our trainees meet frequently, both as a group and individually, with our Training Principal, Nicola Rout and we have a comprehensive feedback and review system in place so that trainees are well supported during their Training Contract.  Trainees are actively encouraged to get involved in all aspects of life at TSP, including networking, business development and local charity initiatives.

You can get an insight into our trainees’ perspectives of life at TSP through our Trainee Talks series.

Our Training Contract usually consists of four core seats of six months duration each, although this arrangement can be flexible as mentioned previously. These seats can be in either our Colchester or Clacton office.  Trainees will usually complete seats within the following teams:

• Corporate and Commercial;
• Dispute Resolution;
• Wills and Estates; and
• A combined property seat in Residential and Commercial Property.

We ask the trainees their preference for their final seat and do our best to match them with this practice area, wherever practicalities and business need allows. Other practice areas which trainees may experience at TSP are:

• Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury;
• Agriculture (part of our Commercial Property team);
• Employment; and
• Family.

We are seeking applications for training contracts from those who have achieved or are predicted a degree of 2:1 or higher. Applications are open to those wishing to qualify via the SQE route OR those who have previously completed their Legal Practice Course or SQE.

Applications received before the end of September 2024 will be considered for our Training Contract Assessment Days to be held in January 2025 for our 2026 trainee cohort. Any received after this date will taken into account for our Assessment Days for our 2027 cohort.

Our Training Contract Assessment Days for our 2026 trainee cohort will take place in our Colchester office in January 2025, with successful candidates being invited back for an interview in February 2025.  We aim to recruit two trainees each year.

Applications should be made via CV, covering letter and sent to our HR department at graduates@tsplegal.com.