Trainee FAQs

Yes, we welcome applications from both law and non-law graduates. We accept applications from those in their final year of a non-law degree, penultimate or final year of a law degree, those that have already graduated and career changers.

Yes, ideally will have a minimum AAB at A-Level (or equivalent qualification) and to have obtained, or be on course for, a 2:1 degree classification for their undergraduate course (unless there are extenuating circumstances), however we do look at the overall application form and not just academics.

Yes we welcome applications from international candidates and look to support with visa sponsorship.

Open day applications – Open on 16 September 2024 and close on 20 November 2024.

Placement Scheme and Training Contracts – Open on 1 October 2024 and close on 15 January 2025.

Solicitor apprenticeship applications – Open 1 October 2024 and 31 January 2025.

Please note, all applications will close at midday (UK time) on the closing day.

We do not recruit on a rolling basis as we believe all applications deserve to be reviewed. Please don’t rush your application as you’ll want to spend time researching the firm and considering your answers. However, please do ensure you submit your application well in advance of the deadline to account for any issues. If you have any questions, please let us know. 

No, you will not be at a disadvantage, and we do not place any emphasis on this as part of the application process. What is more important is that you are able to use the resources available to you to get a feel for the firm and conduct in-depth research to understand whether we are the right firm for you.

It is important for us that there is a wealth of information available to all candidates so you have the opportunity to find out as much as you can about the firm to use within your reasoning as to why you are applying. You can do this through a range of sources such as our LinkedIn or Instagram page (@crstrainees), reading about us on various platforms (such as All About Law, Law Careers Net, Chambers Student and Legal Cheek), or listening to one of the Charles Russell Speechlys podcasts.

We also attend a variety of virtual events run by providers like All About Law, Law Careers Net, Aspiring Solicitors and Legal Cheek which are available for everyone to attend, regardless of your stage of application or what you studied.

No, we recruit from both the placement scheme and direct training contract route. A placement scheme is useful if you also want to gain some legal work experience as part of your application process but isn’t required. We equally recruit our trainees from both routes, so we recommend applying for the route that best suits you. 

The number we recruit each year varies but we roughly look for 15 trainees in London, 5 in Guildford, and 5 in Cheltenham. These numbers are not set, so do not focus on this when making your application.

Yes we will accept the GDL and LPC if you have already started / completed your course. 

If you have only undertaken the GDL, you will then need to complete the SQE exams.  If you have already started / completed the LPC, you will not be required to complete the SQE exams.

Our preferred supplier is the University of Law. We prefer our trainees to attend here so they can be with fellow future trainees and also to ensure there is continuity when trainees progress from the PGDL to the SQE. 

We no longer offer to sponsor for the old version of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Legal Practice Course (LPC) as we are moving onto the new SQE route, but if you have already completed the GDL or LPC then we have no preference over where you completed these, it will not affect your application.

We do not have a preference of which University of Law campus you attend, and you can study online if you prefer.

Yes. We provide sponsorship for PGDL (Post Graduate Diploma in Law) and SQE LLM courses with our chosen provider, the University of Law, alongside covering the cost of the SQE exams with Kaplan as well as any travel/hotel arrangements needed to attend your exam centre.

Yes. During your period of study, we will provide you with a maintenance grant of £10,000 if you are studying in London and £8,500 if you are studying outside of London or online.

Yes, there are a number of software and training options available that we can provide, and have provided, to assist an individual who has dyslexia.  We can provide additional support throughout the application process to and often give candidates adjustments such as extra time.

There are also other occasions where we have made adjustments to assist individuals who have sight, hearing or physical disabilities, and adjustments have been made to the systems we use or additional equipment provided, depending on the individual’s circumstances.

Yes,  we offer the opportunity to do a client secondment or an international secondment. International secondment opportunities include Dubai, Geneva, Zurich, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, and Paris. The only language requirement is being a French speaker to go to our Paris office. 

We encourage our trainees to complete a well-rounded training contract, and as part of this, trainees should complete a contentious seat.

We want provide our trainee with a mix of work and supervisory styles, so you will work with a range of partners and solicitors in each seat. While you will have one designated supervisor, you’ll be assigned work from the whole team.

Each seat will see you allocated a partner or solicitor to oversee your on-the-job training and supervise you day-to-day. This supervisor will then complete your mid and end of seat performance reviews. You’ll receive feedback throughout the seat and then use the mid and end of seat reviews as a time to reflect on your learnings and set goals for the next 3 - 6 months. 

During your induction week, you’ll receive general training from different business areas, our legal research and knowledge team, and from our IT team. From week 2, you’ll start working in your first designated practice area with support from our Knowledge Development Lawyers who will give you practice area specific training designed to get you started in your first seat.

Your legal training will also be supplemented by our CRS Business School which has specific development programmes for each stage of your career, including the Ignite programme which is designed for Trainees to build professional and commercial skills. As part of the Ignite programme, you’ll cover modules from personal effectiveness and organisation to managing your career.  You’ll even learn about the commercial side of a law firm. You’ll receive further coaching and mentoring support to further your development. 

For those undertaking the LPC route, trainee solicitors must complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC) during their training contract and the PSC comprises two sections: Core and Elective modules.

There is a sports and social committee which has trainee solicitor representatives. This committee organise several social events throughout the year, and there are sports teams for softball, tennis, rugby, football, cricket, golf, yoga, hockey and netball who meet weekly.

Yes, there are many opportunities for trainee solicitors to participate in volunteering schemes through our corporate social responsibility programme.

Everyone has a volunteering allowance of 21 hours per year, which can be used in support of our firm-led initiatives (with the Foundation charity partners, local community partners or our social mobility programmes) or to give your time to a cause that you are already connected with.

We also have a range of Pro Bono projects that rely on trainee support. As a trainee, you’ll be expected to participate in at least one of our pro bono clinics such as the Social Housing clinic, Family clinic, or employment clinic.  There are also arrange of other pro bono projects such as the Windrush Initiative and Disability Benefits Appeals.