Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

CRS Training Contracts

We offer Training Contracts in our London, Cheltenham and Guildford offices.

There are some recent changes to the way Solicitors qualify and we have given a lot of thought as to how we can continue to support you throughout your training contract.  Our preference is for candidates to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam going forward, however our Training Contract will also support those who have already commenced or completed the LPC.  Please note, we will only sponsor the SQE going forward.

Both pathways are designed to give you the best possible training with the firm and encourage you to develop the key legal and business skills to enable you to become a successful lawyer.

Will I follow the new or old qualification route?

I have started or completed the LPC –

If you have already started or completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at point of offer, you will be able to qualify under the existing route:

• Completed law degree / Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and started / completed LPC already.
• 2-year ‘Recognised Period of Training’, also referred to as a Training Contract.

You will not need to sit the SQE exams or accrue ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ as outlined in the new route to qualification.

I have not started or completed the LPC –

If you haven’t started or completed the LPC at point of offer, you’ll undertake the new SQE route:

• Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) – for non-law students. See further details below.
• SQE LLM – Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam preparation courses and exams – you’ll do both SQE 1 and SQE 2 as well as our SQE Plus programme which will contribute towards a Masters in Legal Practice (LLM). See further details below.
• 2 years of ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ with the firm.

Non-law students – Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)

We have partnered with The University of Law to provide all of our post-graduate courses.

If you have not studied a law degree, we will sponsor you to complete your Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).  This will replace the previous version of the GDL course.  This 9-month programme will cover all the foundation subjects covered in a law degree and will begin to prepare you for the SQE exams.

We appreciate that full time study isn’t feasible for everyone so we also offer a 20-month part time option which we would be happy to discuss on a case by case basis to accommodate your circumstances. Following that discussion, if you prefer to study part time, you’ll be able to choose the approach that works best for you from a range of weekend, evening and online options.

If you have already started or completed the old version of the GDL, we will accept this form of the course.

Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Courses and Exams

Once you’ve completed your law degree or PGDL, we will then sponsor you to study for and undertake the SQE.  You’ll undertake the SQE preparation course with The University of Law and sit exams as below:

• SQE 1 Preparation Course – September to January
• SQE 1 Exam – January
• SQE 2 Preparation Course – February to April
• SQE 2 Exam – April
• SQE Plus programme – May to July

Our programme with The University of Law includes the SQE Plus Programme – you’ll chose modules from our CRS Elective Modules list to study in more detail.  This will prepare you well for practice at the firm by focusing on our areas of specialism, alongside developing practical legal skills. The SQE 1, SQE 2 and SQE Plus programme combines together so you’ll be studying for a Masters in Legal Practice (LLM).

Keeping In Touch With You

As we recruit two years in advance, the Early Talent team will be here to support you before you start and throughout your training contract.  We keep in regular contact and organise Early Talent events throughout the year for our current and future trainees which provides a great opportunity to network and get to know those you will be working with.  By the time you join us, you’ll recognise a few familiar and friendly faces, and it will already feel like home!

Your Training Contract

While at the firm, both routes will consist of 4 x 6-month seats, giving you the opportunity to experience a range of different practice areas and engage in high level work with both private and commercial clients.  We provide a practical learning environment for Trainees where emphasis is given to early responsibility and supervised client contact.

We actively encourage our Trainees to go on either a client or international secondment.  These opportunities help you build a wider skillset and see things from a client’s perspective, or enhance your international outlook by gaining exposure to work in a different jurisdiction.  Secondments vary depending on business need, but our current client secondments include a private equity fund manager, a commercial bank, and an in-house commercial team for one of our large construction clients. Our international secondment opportunities include Private Client in our Swiss offices, or a mixture of practice areas in our Hong Kong, Dubai or Paris offices.

We also encourage you to get involved beyond the day to day work through our Responsible Business activities, whether that’s through our pro-bono practice, volunteering with our CRS Foundation, or getting involved in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. You can find out more in our Responsible Business reports on our website.

Throughout the Training Contract there are regular catch ups and reviews between Trainees and supervisors to support your development and ensure you are continuing to receive a broad range of quality work.

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.

Furthermore, as part of our Sports and Social Committee offering, you could get involved with a range of additional activities from Football or Netball to Yoga or Tennis.  Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it doesn’t matter – its about connecting with your colleagues and taking part.

CRS Placement Schemes

Deciding which law firm is right for you is not always easy. Our Placement scheme will help you to feel fully informed and allow you to experience our culture for yourself.

Our Placement Scheme provides a chance to spend time at Charles Russell Speechlys and see exactly what we do on a daily basis.

You’ll spend either 2 weeks in our London office of 1 week in Cheltenham office or Guildford office depending on which Placement scheme you apply for. Each week is spent in a different practice area where you will carry out real fee earning work that could include attending client meetings and going to court.

Support is always close at hand, with a current trainee as mentor and an associate as sponsor for each placement. You’ll also meet a variety people, either at organised social events or as part of your day to day interactions, and this will give you a real insight into the culture of the firm.

During your time with us you’ll be automatically considered for a Training Contract and will take part in an assessment centre which will be reviewed along with your performance during the Placement Scheme.

All our placement schemes are paid at £420 per week in London, and £382 per week in Cheltenham and Guildford.

Our 2023 Placement Schemes will take place on the following dates:

London:

Spring 2024 – 2 – 12 April 2024
Summer 2024 – 3 – 14 June 2024

Guildford:

Spring 2024 – 15 – 19 April 2024
Summer 2024 – 8 – 12 July 2024

Cheltenham:

Summer (1) 2024 – 24 – 28 June 2024
Summer (2) 2024 – 1 – 5 July 2024

Deadline 15 January 2024

For more details on placement schemes visit our website.

CRS Open Days

We know it’s important to focus your applications towards law firms that fit with you rather than adopting a scattergun approach.  It’s key to get as much information as possible and a feel for the firm before applying.

Come along to an Open Day to find out more about life at our firm.  You’ll hear about what life is like as a trainee and from associates and partners across the firm about the breadth of work that we do.  The Early Talent team will also be on hand to answer any questions you have about our Training Contract application process.

Applications are open to first year university students onwards and can be made by submitting an application form through our Apply 4 Law portal here – https://charlesrussellspeechlys.grad.allhires.com/

Please note, you can apply for Training Contract and Placement Schemes separately after having submitted and attended an Open Day.

Reasonable travel expenses will be covered and lunch provided for in person open days.

Open Day Dates:

• 30th November – London In-Person Open Day
• 5th December – Virtual Open Day (to cover all offices)
• 6th December – Guildford In-Person Open Day
• 13th December – Cheltenham In-Person Open Day
• 9th January – London In-Person Open Day
• 10th January – Virtual Open Day (to cover all offices)

Deadline 15 November 2023

Visit our website for more details on our upcoming Open Days.

CRS Apprenticeships

We offer Solicitor Apprenticeships in our Guildford and London offices.

Law is an exciting career prospect for many, but university isn’t always the right choice for every person.  Whether you want to avoid university fees or you are keen to get stuck in and work straight away, our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme gives you to a great alternative route to qualify as a Solicitor.

Our established programme has been running for 6 years so we know how to help you achieve your goals and how to support you along the way.

The Programme

Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is a 6-year programme, during which you will complete an LLB in Legal Practice, undertake the SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams, and complete 2 years of Qualifying Work Experience.  Across all 6 years, you will work in our London or Guildford office for 35 hours per week, 4 days will be spent working in our practice groups and one day will be allocated to study.

During the first 4 years, you’ll be studying towards your law degree with our academic partner, the University of Law.  You’ll spend a year in 4 different practice areas where you’ll be involved in many of the day to day tasks of a trainee lawyer.

In year 5 and 6, you’ll be studying for the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exams whilst rotating into a new team every 6 months.  Throughout your Apprenticeship you will experience a range of different practice areas and get involved in high level work with both private and commercial clients.

Some of your key tasks as a solicitor apprentice may include:

• Drafting documents and correspondence
• Assisting partners and associates with various tasks
• Liaising with clients, other law firms and third parties including Local Authorities, Companies House etc.
• Conducting legal research
• As you gain more experience, you’ll be given more responsibility such as attending client meetings with your supervisor and running parts of files

Training & Support

Throughout your Apprenticeship programme and in addition to your studies you will receive regular training.  This could come in the form of on the job training with your supervisor, or more formal training sessions through the Charles Russell Speechlys’ Business School.

In each group that you work in you will be assigned a dedicated supervisor who will work with you to ensure that you are developing the required skills and knowledge and will also assist you with your portfolio.  You will also receive support from Human Resources throughout your apprenticeship.

In addition to this, you will have a personal tutor at the University of Law who will meet you at regular intervals throughout the programme.

We also encourage you to get involved beyond the day to day work through our Responsible Business activities, whether that’s through our pro-bono practice, volunteering with our CRS Foundation, or getting involved in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. You can find out more in our Responsible Business reports on our website.

In the latter part of the apprenticeship, we also encourage our Apprentices to go on either a client or international secondment.  This helps you build a wider skillset and see things from a client’s perspective, or will enhance your international outlook by gaining exposure to work in a different jurisdiction.  Secondments vary depending on business need, but our current client secondments include a private equity fund manager, a commercial bank, and an in-house commercial team for one of our large construction clients. Our international secondment opportunities include Private Client in our Swiss offices, or a mixture of practice areas in our Hong Kong, Dubai or Paris offices.

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 Apprentices to build professional and commercial skills.

Salary & Benefits

You will earn a starting salary of £25,000 in London or £23,000 in Guildford which will increase as your progress through the apprenticeship programme.

You will also be entitled to the full range of staff benefits including:

• 25 days annual holiday, plus long service accrual
• Private medical insurance
• Income protection
• Life assurance
• Pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental benefits
• Virtual GP services
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Qualification leave
• Dress for your day policy

Deadline: 11 February 2024

We offer summer internships as part of the 10,000 Black Interns scheme.  Applications can be made directly though the 10,000 Black Interns website.

Interns will undertake a 6 week internship and have the opportunity to experience several practice areas within their internship.  You’ll also have the chance to take part in a mock assessment day.

This is open to university students and beyond.