Legal insights programme
We invite those of you who are considering a career in law to apply for our Legal Insights Programme, which is aimed at those of you who are 16 years of age (year 12 students or equivalent) and above; you do not have to be currently studying.
What does year 12 work experience look like?
We understand that making career decisions can be difficult — how do you know law is for you? and how do you know if you would enjoy an apprenticeship? Our aim is to provide you with the information and resources which can help you answer these questions.
Our Legal Insights Programme includes online, interactive sessions that will develop your understanding of how a law firm works, what we do here at Weightmans, and what legal career pathways are available to you.
In 2025, 100% of attendees improved their knowledge of commercial awareness, 98% increased their awareness of pathways into law, and 96% increased their knowledge of law.
Programme overview
The programme runs during the Easter holidays, and over two half-day sessions we will cover the following:
- An introduction to Weightmans and what solicitors do;
- An opportunity to meet some key local people from the business;
- Different career pathways in law;
- Going to university versus apprenticeships; and
- An interactive session on different areas of law.
Sessions are available:
31 March and 1 April 2026 (10.00 - 12.30 each day); or
7 and 8 April 2026 (10.00 – 12.30 each day)
You will be asked to select your preferred session on application.
You must attend both sessions on the same week, there is no option to switch once you have confirmed your place.
We will be opening applications in the autumn for the 2026 programme.
In-person work experience
Those that have successfully completed the virtual sessions will be invited to apply for our in-person work experience during the summer (please note that that you do not have to apply). This will provide an invaluable opportunity to see what life is like at a law firm, and to get hands-on experience working directly with one of our many teams at Weightmans (at your local office).
Those who attend our in-person work experience placements will have their travel and food costs covered by Weightmans.
Applicant information
Eligibility criteria
We are looking for students who are at year 12 or above, in undergraduate degrees (excluding Law), and all others who are interested in pursuing a legal career. Please be aware, this programme is aimed at people who have limited knowledge of law and the pathways available to them. You will be looking to discover whether our Solicitor Degree Apprenticeship or Paralegal Apprenticeship are something you would like to pursue as a career, and/or want to gain knowledge around how a law firm like Weightmans works.
If you are in year 12 (or equivalent), and complete both days of the programme, you will then be invited to apply for in-person work experience, you will need to be able to travel to one of our Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle offices.
We will be opening applications in the autumn for the 2026 programme.
Feedback from our students
-
An eye-opening programme that deepened my understanding of the legal field. It provided me with knowledge on the various routes available to qualify as a solicitor, the different fields offered at Weightmans and how a legal business operates.
2024 attendee -
One of the best choices I ever made was to attend the Legal Insights Programme. I gained more insight into how the legal sector works, along with beneficial knowledge and helpful skills that would help me in my future work.
2024 attendee
Related schemes
If you are interested in our trainee solicitor roles and are currently an undergraduate, you may be interested in our summer vacation scheme. Details regarding our 2026 summer vacation scheme will be published here in the autumn.