Day in the life of a final seat trainee in the Dispute Resolution team

Meet Callum Pocknall, trainee solicitor at HCR Law currently undertaking his final seat in the Dispute Resolution team in Worcester.

No two days as a trainee solicitor are ever quite the same, and that’s what makes the role both challenging and rewarding. As a trainee, I’m constantly developing new skills, taking on increasing responsibility and gaining exposure to real clients and live matters.

Here’s a look at a typical day in my current seat in the Dispute Resolution team.

I start the morning by going through my inbox and reviewing any updates that have come in overnight. Litigation matters often move quickly, so I check for correspondence from the opposing side, counsel and clients. I update my task list, prioritising anything urgent or time-sensitive. This morning, there’s an email from my supervising solicitor asking me to finalise instructions to counsel for drafting particulars of claim – one of my main tasks for the day.

I spend most of the morning preparing detailed instructions to counsel, summarising the facts, relevant law and the client’s objectives. This is something I’ve been gradually taking more responsibility for, and it’s a great opportunity to develop my drafting skills. The instructions will guide counsel in preparing the particulars of claim, so clarity and accuracy are essential. I review the documents we have on file, prepare the enclosures to accompany the instructions and send them to my supervisor for review.

Before I know it, it’s lunch time. I take some time away from the screen and catch up with colleagues – an essential reset before the afternoon begins.

I spend the afternoon preparing a bundle for an upcoming hearing. Bundling is one of those essential trainee tasks that teaches organisation, attention to detail and the importance of following procedural rules. I review the index, paginate the documents, make sure all exhibits are clearly labelled and cross-check that nothing is missing. Once compiled, I send the draft bundle to my supervisor for final approval before it’s filed with the court.

Later in the afternoon, I’m asked to carry out research on a specific piece of legislation relevant to another matter the team is handling. I review the statutory provisions, guidance materials and commentary to understand how the legislation applies in practice. I then prepare a short, structured note summarising the key sections, their implications and any points that may require further consideration.

Before finishing for the day, I check in with my colleagues to confirm the status of my tasks and receive feedback on my work for the day. I update my training diary and make a plan for the following morning.
Litigation can be unpredictable, so some days run later than others, but today I’m able to finish on time at 5pm. I leave the office with a sense of progress and the feeling that I’m continually moving closer to qualification.