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Training Contracts

Our training contracts offer a hands-on, exciting entrance into the world of law.

Why HCR Law?

We provide a complete suite of city-quality legal services to businesses and private clients from the heart of some of the most beautiful towns and cities in Britain. Through our team of over 800 legal advisors and employees, we provide exceptional service quality and client care, making HCR a great place to kick start your legal career.

Choosing a law firm to undertake your training contract with is one of the most important decisions you will make in your legal career, and not one to take lightly. You’ll have to consider the areas of legal work you want to work in, the nature of the firm you want to work for, whether you’ll get proper training and also the opportunities that you’ll have to secure a permanent role at the end of your training period. However, we think that we offer an exceptional place to train, and unique learning opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

How to apply

To be eligible to apply for a Trainee Solicitor role, you’ll need to have the following qualifications:

  • Degree: A 2:1 or above*, although this doesn’t need to be in law. If you study a non-law degree, you’ll need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or equivalent course. Applicants should be in their penultimate year of undergraduate study as a minimum and state their current predicted grades.
  • LPC/SQE: The Legal Practice Course or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination must be undertaken by everyone who’s secured a training contract or is seeking to secure one. If your training contract application is successful, we’ll discuss which qualification option is best for you.

*Please let us know on your application form if you have any extenuating circumstances which you would like us to take into account should you not meet this criteria.

Rachel Turner

  • Partner, Head of Corporate, Thames Valley

“We are passionate about developing talent at HCR and recognise that when selecting our Trainees we are really selecting HCR’s future Partners. So we make sure our training programme covers everything our clients expect from our lawyers… the best”

Rachel Turner, Training Principal

How the application process works

We hold assessment centres for trainee solicitors every summer.

Step two 
If successful, you will be invited to attend a first stage interview. This is a quick fire interview process and a chance for you to find out more about the firm. Outcomes are given via e-mail within a week.

Step three
If successful at the first stage, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre where you will demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team, prioritise work and showcase your presentation skills. This is followed by further interviews with a panel of partners.

Step four

If you are successful at the assessment centre, we will notify you via e-mail and write to you confirming our offer of a Trainee Solicitor role. Those who are unsuccessful on this occasion will be offered feedback and further guidance.

Applications for this year are now closed