At this stage, we will look at your predicted/obtained degree score and your answer to an open question. This open question is designed to check your understanding of how a law firm, and Weightmans, works. We will also assess structure, depth, punctuation and grammar. The quality of your answer will determine if you progress to the next stage, therefore we suggest you spend some time on this and proofread before submitting it. We will review all written submissions individually, along with your degree score, in a blind marking process. You must complete this initial application by Thursday 30 January 2025 at 12noon. We will not be able to accept applications after this date.
Training contracts Qualify with a firm consistently rated as a Top Employer
What is a training contract?
You can apply to complete our training contract, as a trainee solicitor, if you are currently studying towards, or have completed, the Legal Practice Course (LPC). If you have not yet commenced the LPC, you can become a trainee solicitor by following our graduate solicitor apprenticeship pathway to qualification.
Our training contract is a two-year 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 four 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.
Eligibility and requirements
To apply for the role of trainee solicitor (following the training contract pathway) you will be a graduate who is currently studying towards, or completed, the legal practice course (LPC).
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.
Why Weightmans?
We want to help you nurture a career you love, providing a working life and environment you’ll not only enjoy but a place where you’ll love coming to work every day. We’ll challenge you to meet your potential and support you to achieve it and then celebrate and reward your success.
In 2024, our commitment to the development and satisfaction of our employees was confirmed with the Top Employers Institute certification for the 17th year. The independent research highlighted our dedication to a better world of work through excellent HR policies and people practices.
We are truly committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion where everyone in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do.
In our offices, we have unique and open spaces accompanied by agile working for great work-life harmony. With a focus on learning and development of our people, we are proud to have consistently high trainee solicitor retention rates.
As much as we work hard, we like to play hard too! Having work/life harmony is something we value for all our people. Our social calendar is always full, from theatre visits and quizzes to office parties. Each of our offices has an active social committee who are always looking for new members to get involved. We will encourage our graduates to keep in touch as a national cohort with training and annual events.
We pride ourselves in our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) work and support a number of deserving charities, both nationally and local to our offices, including Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, Francis House, Simon on the Streets and many more. As part of our commitment, all staff receive two days of paid CSR leave each year, and each office has a local committee who are always looking for new members, and this may be something you would like to be a part of once you join us.
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
How to apply
Please note that the deadline for applications is Thursday 30 January 2025 at 12noon, and we are unable to accept applications after this date.
Please note that our application window will never close early. While there is no advantage to applying early, we would just suggest that applicants do not leave applications to the last minute in case of unplanned issues that may affect submitting by the deadline (e.g. tech issues, illness and etc).
Our application process consists of 4 stages:
We welcome you to contact us if you have any queries regarding this process.
Application tips
Watch our video below where Marc Prats from our early careers team provides some hints and tips for those looking to apply for one of our early careers programmes.
We welcome you to contact us if you have any queries regarding this process.
Summer vacation scheme
Details regarding our 2025 summer vacation scheme will be published in the autumn.
Meet us and find out more
We will be attending careers fairs and hosting our own open evenings in the autumn/winter.
Online Open Evenings
| 16 December | 5.00 – 6.00pm, via Zoom webinar |
| 15 January | 4.00 – 5.00pm, via Zoom webinar |
If you are interested in attending one of the above open evenings, please complete the following link Online Open Evening Registration
Careers Fairs
| 9 October | Salford University |
| 11 October | UK University Search Birmingham |
| 15 October | UK University Search Liverpool |
| 15 October | University of Leeds |
| 16 October | Newcastle University |
| 16 October | University of Liverpool |
| 17 October | Edge Hill University |
| 22 October | Northumbria University |
| 22 October | Northumbria University |
| 23 October | Kings College London |
| 23 October | UK University Search Leeds |
| 30 October | Cardiff University |
| 7 November | University of Leicester |
| 12 November | Manchester University |
| 13 November | University of Law Liverpool |
| 13 November | Birmingham University |
| 13 November | University of Law Manchester |
Do you have any further queries?
Please contact our early careers team on +44 (0)345 073 9900 or earlycareers@weightmans.com. Please also follow us on Instagram @weightmansearlycareers.
