The Law Apprenticeships Guide

A law apprenticeship combines paid work and training at a law firm with part-time study for professional qualifications. It is an alternative path to going to university that offers the same career destinations, but avoids the expensive fees.

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

Cyril Lekgetho is a first-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

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What are the different types of apprenticeships?

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Here's a checklist of the necessary skills to get off to a flying start

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Discover legal apprenticeship positions available at various law firms and organisations

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Ask the Oracle

Should I do an apprenticeship or go to university?

I’m considering starting a legal apprenticeship, but are the career prospects the same as the university route? What are the main differences between a paralegal/solicitor apprenticeship and going to university?

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Everything you need to know about launching a career in law.

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Legal apprenticeships: an alternative route to a legal career

For many, rises in university tuition fees have created a financial barrier to law, but legal apprenticeships can make legal careers more accessible to those with motivation and talent, as well as diversify legal training to match the increasing liberalisation of legal services, most clearly evidenced by the ongoing rise of alternative business structures.

Key questions

What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer?

Who can become an apprentice?

Do I have to study A-level law to be an apprentice?

News

Law Society welcomes government’s new AI action plan for justice

The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed a new government action plan aimed at integrating AI into the justice system responsibly, with the ultimate goal of making justice more accessible to all.

News

Macfarlanes reveals 86% trainee retention rate

London-based law firm Macfarlanes LLP is the latest firm to announce its trainee retention figures, with 24 out of 28 final-seat trainees set to stay on after qualifying next month. This represents an 86% retention rate for 2025 – a 5% increase from the 81% recorded in 2024.

News

Irwin Mitchell and Walker Morris achieve record-high revenue growth

Irwin Mitchell LLP and Walker Morris LLP have both announced record-breaking financial results for the tax year ending 30 April 2025, following a trend of strong performances across the sector.

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Clifford Chance reveals 86% trainee retention rate

Clifford Chance has revealed that 49 of its 57 final-seat trainees will be joining the firm as newly qualified (NQ) solicitors this September, marking a retention rate of 86% for its autumn cohort.

Latest updates

What’s the difference between a solicitor and graduate apprenticeship?

Law Society welcomes government’s level 7 apprenticeship funding exemption

BSB announces barrister apprenticeship standard

Apprenticeship data suggests reducing higher learning funding risks growth

Legal training providers call for government to protect solicitor apprenticeships amid funding cuts

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Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho

Cyril Lekgetho is a second-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

Feature

A guide to law apprenticeships

Legal apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route to becoming a lawyer that combine a paid job at a law firm with studying for formal qualifications, funded by the government and your employer. It’s an alternative to the traditional route of going to university and training to be a lawyer after graduating. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are also on the rise and new details have recently emerged regarding the introduction of barrister apprenticeships too. Find out more about the different legal apprenticeship options in this guide.

The Rookie Lawyer

What does a solicitor apprentice do?

In this article, we'll take a look at what solicitor apprenticeships entail, what they offer, and how they differ from other routes to qualifying.