BECOME A SOLICITOR
The Accutrainee Advantage
Not all legal training is created equal. At Accutrainee, we’ve been at the forefront of innovative training and qualification pathways for over a decade, pioneering a model that paved the way for today’s Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). We believe in unlocking your potential, providing you with a bespoke, well-rounded legal experience that will support, mentor, and guide you toward your qualification as a solicitor.
QUALIFY AS A SOLICITOR
What's the challenge?
Highly Competitive
Becoming a solicitor is increasingly competitive. With more candidates entering the profession each year, securing a training contract remains the toughest step, as some law firms receive thousands of applications for only a handful of available positions. It’s not uncommon for firms to offer just four or five contracts, meaning standing out is critical.
Inflexible
Law firms frequently recruit trainee solicitors up to two years in advance, typically within specific recruitment cycles that occur at set times throughout the year. Additionally, many firms impose strict requirements regarding when trainees must complete their SQE preparation courses and assessments, as well as which areas of law or departments they should be assigned to during their trainee seats. These rigid requirements are often unsuitable for candidates, leading to situations where they fail to secure a training contract for reasons beyond their control.
Lacking Diversity
There continues to be a disproportionate under-representation of certain groups in the legal profession, and much still needs to be done to improve diversity and ensure that candidates from all backgrounds are represented.
We strive to eliminate barriers and create new opportunities for our candidates. We have a strong track record, with around half of our trainee cohort coming from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Our goal is to capture hidden talent — those great candidates who might otherwise slip through the net. There is one word that sums up what we are looking for: Potential. We review every single application, in full. We delve into you as an individual and your unique journey.
As a result, our standard application forms have no specific requirements in terms of previous work experience or academic achievements, as we firmly believe you are so much more than what’s on paper.
Quality of Training
The SQE has led to an uneven playing field, with more individuals qualifying without comprehensive training. For us, Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is not a box-ticking exercise, as we provide high-quality training and mentoring that has been refined over many years, preparing our solicitors for the complexities of modern legal practice. As a result, Accutrainee alumni consistently secure positions at top law firms and in-house departments, proving that those who train with Accutrainee are equipped to excel and stand out in their careers.
Your Legal Training, Your Legal Career
We believe in providing unparalleled support, mentorship, and quality training, giving you the tools you need to shape your legal career. If you're ready to join an inclusive, dynamic community and embark on a journey that equips you with the skills and confidence to excel, Accutrainee is here to help you every step of the way.
Mentoring at Accutrainee: Illuminating Your Path
At Accutrainee, mentorship is at the heart of our training model, and it’s the key to helping our trainees grow into confident, capable solicitors. More than just advice, mentoring is a partnership—a shared journey where experienced legal professionals guide and inspire the next generation. We believe that mentorship is about more than just technical knowledge; it’s about navigating challenges, celebrating wins, and fostering the resilience needed for a successful legal career. Our mentors are not only experts in their fields but also dedicated allies who offer tailored guidance, addressing everything from complex legal issues to professional development and emotional support. With their wealth of experience from top law firms and in-house legal teams, they meet with our trainees monthly to provide the bespoke support that enables them to not just survive but to truly thrive in the evolving legal landscape. Mentoring at Accutrainee ensures that every trainee has the confidence, skills, and insight to forge their own path and stand out as a modern legal professional.
What we do
We have been around for over 12 years, and we have helped 100s of candidates qualify as solicitors through our supportive and innovative model.
Our unique approach makes it easier for law firms and in-house legal teams to recruit trainees. We employ you as a trainee solicitor under a training contract or QWE and second you to our clients for a specified period helping you complete your training and qualify as a solicitor.
We have an outstanding track record with our trainees securing at least one NQ role after qualification.
The way we have operated since 2012 is essentially how the ‘new’ QWE works. I guess you could say we were a bit before our time! Therefore, no one has as much experience with this method of delivering work experience or the same level of knowledge and expertise as us in training, nurturing and mentoring trainees in this way.
Accutrainee Model
What are the benefits?
Unique
Our unique model enables trainees to experience seats in up to four different organisations, covering various areas of law and including both law firms and in-house legal teams. During secondments, we thoroughly monitor our trainees’ development and offer them a unique mentoring programme, which we believe is unmatched in the legal profession. Other distinctive features include the fact that we accept applications throughout the year with no deadlines. If successful in the selection process, a trainee can start their QWE as early as one week after the assessment centre!
Quality
We are extremely focused on the quality of training you will receive. Trainees are only sent on secondments when there is a genuine need for additional resources within our clients’ teams. This means our trainees are expected to hit the ground running when they start a secondment, and they can anticipate being exposed to varied, high-quality work with significant levels of responsibility.
During secondments, our training principal and Accutrainee mentors closely monitor our trainees’ development, ensuring they acquire all the necessary skills and competencies required for qualification.
Community
Being an Accutrainee means more than just qualifying as a solicitor. You’ll be part of a close-knit community of trainees who, like you, are passionate, driven, and eager to make a mark in the legal world. You’ll benefit from peer networking, shared learning, and monthly mentoring sessions, building relationships that can last your entire career. It’s a community of comradery, support, and growth.
Bespoke
We often say that no two training contracts are alike at Accutrainee. We understand that every candidate is unique, and so is their journey to qualification. Our goal is to provide tailored training placementsthat match your preferred areas of law, style of work, and aspirations. You could be seconded to a law firm for a deep dive into private practice or join an in-house legal team to build commercial acumen. By the time you qualify, you’ll have a well-rounded set of skills and a clear direction for your future career
Varied
Our clients include a wide range of both in-house legal teams and law firms. From financial services firms to media and entertainment companies, from top UK and US law firms to boutique niche practices, we work with a broad array of organisations to source the right opportunities for you. We also cover a wide range of practice areas and have been shortlisted multiple times in the Legal Cheek Awards for, among other things, best firm for the quality of training, work, and partner approachability.
Our trainees typically gain experience in more than one organization during their two years of work experience. This allows you to be exposed to different cultures and environments, explore various areas of law, and experience different working styles, helping you gain a better understanding of where you want your career to take you.
Tech Enabled
To support you through your journey, we’ve developed Pathways, a dynamic platform where you can track your progress, access bespoke training, connect with your mentors, and stay updated on our networking and social events. It’s a one-stop hub to help you stay on top of your training and make the most out of your Accutrainee experience.
ACCUTRAINEE PROCESS
What's the selection criteria?
There’s no doubt about it, our selection process is no walk in the park – but that’s because we’re looking for the best and we’re willing to put time, energy and care into finding exceptional candidates. Our clients demand the best and that’s what we deliver to them. We recognise that excellent candidates sometimes slip through the net because of personal circumstances or any number of reasons. We are not put off by this – we’ll assess your skills, competencies, attitude and aptitude. If we think you have the potential to become an outstanding solicitor, we want to help you become just that.
If successful, we will start matching you with placements available from our clients, based on your previous experiences, your set of skills but also your preferences. If you are shortlisted and selected for a placement that’s when your training contract/QWE starts. You will be employed by Accutrainee and seconded to the law firm or in-house team for a fixed term period of typically 6 months or more. In this way we will take you through the 2-year training contract or QWE, mentoring you and supporting you every step of the way.
Watch our video
Potential Secondments
Qualification FAQs
I recieved a 2.2 in my degree, can I still apply?
Yes. It may be that there are special circumstances why you didn’t achieve a higher grade. You will however need to be able to demonstrate strong academic ability in other areas.
When can I apply?
You can apply to us at any time. Our selection process has no deadline and is open all year round.
What type of secondments do Accutrainee offer?
Our clients include law firms and in-house legal teams of all sizes covering many different practice areas. If you’re successful, we’ll talk through placement opportunities which we think you’ll be interested in as and when they arise. We will only put you forward for opportunities you’ve agreed to – that way you can be confident about what your training contract/QWE will look like!
Where are your clients based?
The clients we’ve worked with so far have predominantly been based in and around London. However, we also have clients in other areas around the UK. If you have a specific preference, just let us know.
I'm interested in an international placement; would Accutrainee be able to provide this?
Most of our placements are in the UK, but opportunities might come up if this satisfied a client’s business need.
What is the salary for trainee solicitors with Accutrainee?
Although our salaries do not match the levels offered by some top City firms, we do review them regularly to make sure they’re competitive. We will certainly discuss this with you in more detail during interviews.
Do you have a specific trainee intake like most law firms?
We do not have a specific trainee intake as opportunities from our clients arise at any time. For this reason we keep our selection process open throughout the year and placements start all year round.
If I am unsuccessful in my application can I recieve feedback?
We offer very detailed feedback to candidates who interview with us. We’re sorry but because we get so many applications, we can’t offer feedback for applications rejected at the initial application stage.
I am already a trainee solicitor at another law firm/company. Do you accept applications from current trainee solicitos who started their training contract/QWE elsewhere?
Yes, you can apply for trainee solicitor opportunities with Accutrainee even if you started your training elsewhere. We would still take you through our selection process and, if successful, we would look into matching your profile with placement opportunities available with our clients, so that you can become an Accutrainee and complete your training with us.
Do Accutrainees get a chance to meet and network?
We regularly organise a variety of events for our trainees, from bespoke training events to networking events and social events, where all the Accutrainees gather from the different seconding organisations to network and socialise.
How do you ensure there are no gaps between placements?
If you are working with one of our clients, we would contact you towards the end of your placement to discuss new opportunities, so that you can start interviewing with other clients and secure your next work experience before the current one has expired. For SQE trainees, you may have something lined up yourself.
I do not have the LPC, can I apply for a training contract ?
You can still apply for a training contract (if that’s your chosen route) with us if you have not started/completed the LPC. If successful through the selection process we will add you to the successful candidates database. We will start considering you for placements with any clients who do not strictly require the LPC and are happy for you to complete this part time during your placement. However, please note that many of our clients prefer trainees who have completed their legal studies before starting a training contract.
What do you look for when reviewing candidates' applications?
There is one word that sums up what we’re looking for: Potential. Our goal is to capture hidden talent. We want candidates who can show genuine ambition and drive to succeed. We review each application as a whole, taking into account all your qualities and attributes. Things that will make you stand out are a bespoke application with no typos and mistakes, where you tell us about your journey, your passion for law and the skills that you have gained and can put to good use!
If I am unsuccessful in my application can I receive feedback?
We offer very detailed feedback to candidates who interview with us. We’re sorry but because we get so many applications, we can’t offer feedback for applications rejected at the initial application stage.
I am an international candidates, are you able to sponsor work permits?
As we are deemed to be an Employment Business, it is very difficult for us (given our business model) to secure sponsor status to secure work permits for candidates. Therefore, regrettably we are unable to sponsor international candidates.
If I successfully complete the selection process, how long might it take to start my training contract or qualifying work experience??
This is a very difficult question to answer as it depends on so many things. The shortest time we’ve been able to get someone started on their qualification journey is less than two weeks from the assessment centre! However, we also have candidates who joined our database many months ago and we’re still working hard to secure the perfect placement for them.
If I apply to Accutrainee and successfully complete the selection process, should I keep applying to other law firms and opportunities directly?
Yes, absolutely. We would encourage you to continue applying as we cannot say how long it will take to secure placements for you. The last thing we want is for you to miss out on any great opportunities. We’re here to help you reach your goal, not slow you down!