Guidance

20242023 Legal trainee scheme: how to apply

Information regarding the application and assessment process for the legal trainee scheme

From:
Government Legal Profession and Government Legal Service
Published
2 September 2014
Last updated
2426 April 20242023 — See all updates

Introduction

To join us as a trainee solicitor or pupil barrister you will need to:

Change for the 2024 Legal Trainee Recruitment Campaign

Pupil Barrister and Trainee Solicitor positions have previously been recruited through a single annual GLP legal trainee scheme recruitment campaign. 

In 2024 the recruitment campaign will be spilt - with the Trainee Solicitor campaign launching in its usual timetable on 24 April.

The Pupil Barrister recruitment campaign will now launch later this year. This will align with the Bar Council’s timings of advertising Pupil Barrister positions on the Pupillage Gateway in November, with the application window opening in January 2025.

Apply

The application process for the 20242023 Traineelegal Solicitortrainee recruitmentscheme campaign is open. Please click on the ‘Apply’ button below.

Apply

The deadline for the completed application form and situational judgement test (SJT) is Midday on Wednesday 1517 May 2024.2023.

For further information on the participating departments, the Traineetrainee Solicitorplaces positions available and funding,sponsorship, please visit the ‘Opportunities’ page.

We recommend familiarising yourself with the timetable, , eligibility criteria and application process.

Noteand that the Pupilapplication Barrister recruitment campaign will open in January 2025.process.

Timetable

The timetable will be on the website for the duration of the campaign.

Please familiarise yourself with the timetable, as the dates and times arewill be strictly adhered to.

Date Application Stage
2426 April Application process opens (Midday).
1517 May Midday deadline for the completed application form and Situational Judgement Test (SJT). The SJT is separate to the application form. If you meet the minimum criteria on the application form, you will immediately be invited to complete the the SJT on on a separate system. WeBoth stronglythe recommendapplication youand completeSJT themust applicationbe formcompleted someby daysMidday aheadon ofWednesday the17 deadlineMay of2023, middayso onwe 15strongly May,recommend toyou ensurecomplete youthe haveapplication sufficientform timesome todays completeahead the SJT.of that deadline.
2730 May to 2831 May SJT results results will be announced between 2730 May to 2831 May. Candidates who pass the the SJT will will be invited to complete the Verbal Reasoning Test (VRT) on 2830 May.
46 June Midday deadline for submission of completed completed VRT.
1112 June to 1214 June VRT results results will be announced between 1112 June to 1214 June. Candidates who pass the the VRT will will be invited to complete the Critical Reasoning Test (CRT) on 1214 June.
1921 June Midday deadline for submission of completed completed CRT.
13 July to 24 July CRT results results announced. Candidates who pass the the CRT will will be invited to the Video Interview (ViV)(VIV) on 24 July.
911 July Midday deadline for Video Interview (ViV).
2527 July to 2631 July ViV results announced.
2931 July to 24 August Assessment centreCentre booking window opens at Midday on 29 July. Booking window closes at Midday on 2 August.open.
810 August Dial-in conference call for those invited to the assessmentAssessment centre.Centre. This will provide an opportunity to ask any questions on the assessmentAssessment centreCentre process.process and to hear from members of the Recruitment Team and representatives from the Government Legal Profession.
1214 August to 2831 August Assessment centre dates for shortlisted candidates conducted remotely by Zoom and Tazio.
1113 September Candidates informed whether they have reached the required standard at the assessmentAssessment centre.Centre.
1821 September Candidates notified whether they have been successful in obtaining a training position in in one of the participating departments.

Below is a downloadable version of the timetable.

LTS Timetable 2024

LTS Timetable 20242023

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Eligibility

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria below in order to be eligible to apply.

Our application form will ask you to demonstrate that you meet the stated eligibility criteria.

Nationality

Departments recruiting under the legal trainee scheme are part of the wider Civil Service and therefore the Civil Service nationality rules apply.

As this post is described as ‘non-reserved’, those listed below will be eligible to apply:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • EEA nationals with (or eligible for) status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU & Turkish nationals

Guidance on the changes to the Civil Service nationality requirements can be found here.

Please note that it is possible to meet the above nationality requirements and still not be legally entitled to work in the UK. Newly arriving EEA nationals who enter the UK from 1 January 2021 and their family members, who are not eligible to apply to the EUSS, will be subject to the UK’s new points-based immigration system. As such, they will not be eligible to work in the Civil Service unless they are able to qualify under their own nationality (e.g. they are an Irish national).

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check whether they are legally entitled to work in the UK. When applying, applicants will be asked about their nationality at birth, whether they are subject to immigration control, whether there are any restrictions on your continued residence or employment in the UK etc. Detailed document checks will be made prior to employment.

We will not be able to provide sponsorship for a work permit for the Legal Trainee Scheme.

Academic criteria

Trainee Solicitor Positions

The academic criteria for the pupillage route, LPC route and SQE route is below.

LPC

Pupil Route

Barrister Positions

You will need:

  • AA minimum minimum of a 2:2 honours in ana undergraduate qualifying law degreedegree* (see (see below), or
  • A minimum of a 2:2 honours undergraduate degree in a non-law subject (or overseas equivalent in any subject) and a minimum of a pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course)course), thator
  • Equivalent coversacademic qualifications as recognised by the foundationalBar topicsStandards (seeBoard below),(BSB), orsuch as a Certificate of Academic Standing and a minimum of a pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course)
  • EquivalentTo qualificationshave atsuccessfully levelcompleted 6the (e.g.BTC aby CILExthe Leveltime 6of qualification)starting thatyour coverspupil barrister training within the sevenrelevant foundationaldepartment

Trainee legalSolicitor topics. positions

The Note:academic ifcriteria yourfor qualificationthe doesLPC notroute coverand allSQE route is below.

LPC Route

You will need:

  • A minimum of thea seven2:2 foundationalin areasa qualifying law degree* (see below), or
  • A minimum of legala knowledge,2:2 youundergraduate willdegree normallyin bea requirednon-law tosubject study(or theoverseas remainingequivalent legalin topicsany onsubject) and a minimum pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course) that covers the foundational topics* (see below), or
  • Equivalent equivalentqualifications (such as ILEx/CILEx) that cover the foundational topics
  • To have successfully completed the LPC priorby to the starttime of starting your training contract withwithin the relevant department.department

Under the SRA’s transitional arrangements the LPC route (rather than the SQE route) is open to:

  • anyone who, before 1 September 2021, had completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for a law conversion course, LPC or a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract), as long as the relevant course started by 31 December 2021, or
  • anyone who, by 21 September 2021, completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for a qualifying law degree or an exempting law degree

SQE Route

You will need:

  • AA minimum minimum of a 2:2 honours in ana undergraduate qualifying lawlaw degree* (see degree (see below), or
  • A minimum of a 2:2 honours undergraduate degree in a non-law subject (or overseas equivalent in any subject) and a minimum of a pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course) that covers the foundational topicstopics* (see below), or
  • EquivalentEquivalent qualifications qualifications(such as atILEx/CILEx) levelthat 6cover (e.g.the afoundational CILExtopics

Important: LevelThe 6SQE qualification)route thatis coversonly thefor seventhose foundationalwho legalhave topics.yet  Note: ifto yourpass qualificationSQE1 doesand/or notSQE2.

Successful covercandidates allwill ofbe therequired sevento foundationalcomplete areasa ofSQE1 legalprep knowledge,course youand/or willSQE2 normallyprep becourse requiredand to study the remainingassessment(s) legalunder topicsthe onarrangements aput PGDLin orplace equivalent

  • Toby havethe passedrelevant SQE1department, and SQE2 prior to the start of yourthe Qualifying2-year Workqualifying Experiencework experience (QWE) within theSeptember relevant department.
    • 2025.

    ApplicationsDepartments arewill welcomenot from:

    • accept applications from those who have already passed both the SQE1 and SQE2 orand who are onlooking thefor wayQWE toonly.

      Where doingILEx/CILEx soqualifications (throughdo self-funding)

    • thosenot whocover haveall passedof SQE1 or are on the wayfoundational totopics, doingyou so (through self-funding) and who will completenormally SQE2be underrequired departmentalto SQEstudy provision
    • thosethe whomissing havetopics noton yeta completed SQEGDL and who will complete SQE1/PGDL and SQE2/CPE under(law departmentalconversion SQEcourse) provision.
    or equivalent.

    Qualifying law degree / Foundational Topics

    The qualifying law degree must be compliant with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) subject benchmark statement for law and cover the following seven foundational topics of legal knowledge, which are:

    1. Criminal Law
    2. Equity and Trusts
    3. Law of the European Union
    4. Obligations 1 (Contract)
    5. Obligations 2 (Tort)
    6. Property/Land Law
    7. Public Law (Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Human Rights Law)

    Degree stage

    We welcome applications from people who graduated some time ago as well as those newly graduating.

    If you are currently studying for a qualifying law degree or undergraduate degree in a non-law subject you are eligible to apply from your penultimate year (if you are a law student) or from your final year (if you are a non-law student).

    Overseas degrees

    We accept applications from candidates with overseas degrees. You must supply evidence that your degree is equivalent to the minimum requirement of a 2:2 in an UK undergraduate degree.

    The responsibility (including any costs) of providing appropriate documentation is on the individual. The UK National Information Centre provides information about the comparability of different international qualifications.

    We would normally ask for evidence when candidates are completing the online application form and situational judgement test.

    Security Clearance

    Some departments require their trainees to have attained a higher level of security clearance, i.e. Security Check (SC), prior to starting their training. A prerequisite of this higher level of clearance is that you need to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years. Further information on clearance levels can be found on GOV.UK.

    What we look for

    Factors such as the school you attended, A levels and GCSEs results, your university and degree subject do not form part of our decision-making process.

    In fact, the only time that we see any personal information about you is at the assessment centre stage and this is limited to your name.name and any work experience.

    This approach has delivered positive results. In the 20232022 Legal Trainee Scheme, the 7645 successful candidates came from 4030 different universities.

    The type of skills and behaviours we are looking for and how we test them are below.

    Person Specification

    MS Word Document, 17.918 KB

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    Application stage

    There are four parts to the application stage:

    1. An online application form and a situational judgement test

    2. A verbal reasoning test

    3. A critical reasoning test

    4. A video interview

    Situational judgement test (SJT)

    The SJT assesses your judgement in dealing with the types of situations you may encounter as a legal trainee. If you pass the eligibility criteria in the application form, you will then receive an email inviting you to complete the SJT.

    You will be given 16 hypothetical situations and a list of possible reactions to each situation. You will be asked to indicate which reaction you think would be the most effective response and least effective response to the situation.

    The SJT is conducted online. The test is not timed but should take between 25 to 30 minutes to complete.

    Example of SJT question

    MS Word Document, 38.5 KB

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    A free practice test can be found on the AssessmentDay website.

    If you obtain the pass mark for the SJT, we will invite you to complete the Verbal Reasoning Test.

    Verbal reasoning test (VRT)

    Our legal trainees need to be able to analyse and interpret complex information. The VRT provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability in this important area.

    The VRT is conducted online and is timed. You will be given 24 minutes to complete the test.

    A free practice test can be found on the AssessmentDay website.

    If you obtain the pass mark for the VRT, we will invite you to complete the Critical Reasoning Test.

    Critical reasoning test (CRT)

    The CRT assesses your ability to logically analyse assumptions, arguments, deductions, inferences and interpret information.

    This test is conducted online and is timed. It should take between 30 to 40 minutes to complete the test.

    Examples of CRT questions

    MS Word Document, 46 KB

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    A free practice test can be found on the Test Partnership website.

    If you obtain the pass mark for the CRT, we will invite you to complete a Video Interview.

    Video interview (ViV)(VIV)

    The video interview has been designed to assess candidates’ motivations for the trainee scheme, as well as some of the behaviours which are integral to the role.

    During the interview, there will be a number of text-based questions, and a set amount of time to respond to each of those questions.

    The interview will last for approximately 20 minutes, and full instructions on how to complete this will be given at the time.

    A free practice test can be found on the AssessmentDay website.

    If you obtain the pass mark in the video interview and are amongst the highest scoring candidates, we will invite you to attend an assessment centre.

    Assessment stage

    If you are invited to the half-day assessment centre, the Recruitment Team will email you asking you to book your preferred date, so you should book your place as soon as possible.

    The assessment centres will only run on the dates published. No further dates will be made available. If you cannot make any of the assessment dates then, unfortunately, your application will be withdrawn from the recruitment process.

    The assessment centres will be conducted online using Zoom and Tazio. If you are invited to the assessment centrecentres you must have access to video with audio capability on your laptop, tablettablets etc. If you do not have access,access thenthen, unfortunately, your application willwith be withdrawn from the recruitment process.

    The Recruitment Team will provide you with our information pack about the assessment centre, which will help you to prepare for this stage of the process.

    There will also be a conference call for those invited to the assessment centre. This will provide an opportunity to ask any questions on the assessment centre process and to hear from members of the Recruitment Team and representatives from the Government Legal Profession.

    You will be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred department which will be considered (but not guaranteed) by the Final Selection Board.

    At the assessment centre you will complete a written exercise and take part in a panel interview.

    Written exercise

    You will have 60 minutes to complete the written exercise.

    The exercise is not a test of legal knowledge and is designed with non-law students in mind.

    You will be given a practical, legally-based problem which you will be asked to analyse and then address a number of questions.

    You will be asked to assume that you are writing to a senior colleague who has asked for your advice. We will provide you with the necessary information about the law to which you need to refer in order to provide your advice.

    Interview

    The interview typically lasts around 70 minutes. The panel will usually consist of two senior lawyers and an independent chairperson.

    The panel will use different types of questioning during the interview, which may require a slightly different approach to answering.

    At the beginning of the interview, the panel will spend up to 15 minutes questioning the candidate on their response to the written exercise. This will enable them to expand upon the key points which they have made.

    There will be a ‘behaviour-based’ element to the interview because how ayou candidate would behave in certain situations is one of the best indicators of how theyyou are likely to perform in the role.

    The types of behaviours which will result in effective performance in the trainee role are set out in our person specification. These behaviours link to the Civil Service Success Profiles Framework.

    The examples the candidate chooses can be from any setting such as work, education, voluntary sector or home life. Ideally they should use a different example for each question as a spread of responses will give the assessors the most comprehensive picture of them.

    In their responses to the questions, candidates should try to include each of the following elements:

    • Situation and/or task: briefly describe what the situation/task was
    • Actions: what was it that they did?
    • Result: describe the impact, outcomes or results of the actions they took

    Alternatively, candidates may be asked how they would behave in a given situation. The panel members will set out a scenario for them to consider. For example, how they would respond to a heavy workload or manage a sensitive situation.

    Strength-BasedStrengths Based Questions

    There will be some strength-basedstrength based questions. Strength-basedStrength based questions are designed to assess whether the candidate is a good fit for an organisation and role. This is based on what they enjoy doing and what they do well and often. By ensuring the role is the right fit for them, they are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

    A few generic examples of strength-basedstrengths based questions are:

    • “What energises you?”
    • “What are you good at?”
    • “What”What would you say are your weaknesses?”

    Motivation

    Lastly, and unsurprisingly, the panel will focus on motivation for the role. The panel will be looking to understand the candidate’s reasons for applying to the legal trainee scheme. For example through their knowledge of what government lawyers do and their motivation for working within the public sector.

    Candidates with a disability

    We believe that all eligible people must have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their suitability for the work.

    The Equality Act 2010 requires us to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

    This is defined by the Act as those who have a physical or mental impairment. For example a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

    We will not make assumptions about whether a disabled person requires any adjustments or about what those adjustments should be.

    We will discuss and agree with the individual in question the reasonable adjustments required.

    If you are a disabled person,person as defined by the Equality Act 2010, andthen you wish to request any reasonable adjustments for any stage of the recruitment process, you must notify the the Recruitment Team in in the application form. This must be submitted by the stated deadline.deadline. You must include any reasonable adjustments you may need. For example, additional time for the timed online tests and any adjustments at the assessment centre.

    If you require a reasonable adjustment to complete your application form and/or situational judgement test you will need to contact the Recruitment Team as soon as possible.

    If you would find it helpful to discuss your requirements, please contact the Recruitment Team.

    Any information given in support of your request will be treated in confidence and withheld from those involved in selection based decisions.

    Monitoring

    We will record and monitor the reasonable adjustments that have been requested and made. This will help us identify whether there are any wider steps that we can take to support those applying to us with a disability.

    Disability Confident scheme

    Departments recruiting under the legal trainee scheme have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme.

    If you consider yourself to have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010, you can apply under the terms of the scheme.

    We will invite you to attend the assessment centre if you:

    1. Meet all aspects of the eligibility criteria
    2. Meet the standard in each of the 3 online tests and video interview

    Complaints procedure

    The legal trainee scheme is underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. This is outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

    We aim to provide the best possible service to applicants for to the legal trainee scheme. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of the service you have received during the process, please contact the Recruitment Team.

    If you do not feel that your application has been treated in accordance with the Commission’s Recruitment Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact Caroline Anerville, Government Legal Department, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9GL.

    If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you may then wish to contact the Civil Service Commission. Please submit any complaint in writing.

    Civil Service Code

    As civil servants, legal trainees will be appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

    Legal trainees will be expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality:

    • ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
    • ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open
    • ‘objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
    • ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions

    The core values are set out in the Civil Service Code.

    Overseas qualified lawyers

    The legal trainee scheme is for those who have not yet qualified as a lawyer. If you are qualified to practise law in another jurisdiction, you may be able to re-qualify to practise in England and Wales through an alternative route. We recommend that you contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for further information.

    Professional bodies’ requirements

    If you are successful in obtaining a traineetraining solicitorcontract or pupilpupillage, barrister position, please ensure that you understand the requirements placed on you by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

    For example, as a trainee solicitorssolicitor (lookingyou tomust qualifyensure, throughbefore starting your training contract, that you meet the LPCSRA’s routecharacter orand SQEsuitability route)requirements.

    If willyou needidentify any potential issues in terms of being able to meet these requirements, e.g. a criminal conviction, you must notify the SRA’s. characterThis must be a least 6 months before your training starts. You must complete and suitabilitysubmit requirementsto the SRA an eligibility form which is available on their website..

    Published 2 September 2014
    Last updated 2426 April 20242023 + show all updates

    1. Launch of the 2024 Trainee Solicitor recruitment campaign

    2. Launch of the 2023 GLP legal trainee scheme recruitment campaign

    3. Updated application link

    4. Launch of the 2022 legal trainee scheme recruitment campaign

    5. Launch of the 2021 Legal Trainee Scheme

    6. Launch of the 2020 Legal Trainee Scheme

    7. launch of the 2019 legal trainee scheme

    8. Launch of the 2018 Legal Trainee Scheme

    9. GLS Legal Trainee Scheme is open for those interested in a training contract or pupillage in government departments such as GLD, HMRC and NCA.

    10. GLS Legal Trainee Scheme open

    11. Announcement of the 2016 GLS Legal Trainee Scheme.

    12. Link to application form removed following deadline

    13. Updated for launch of application process

    14. Updated ahead of 2015 recruitment campaign

    15. Updated to reflect programme for 2015 recruitment campaign

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