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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Want to know more?

What are the different types of apprenticeships?

Intermediate, paralegal, solicitor apprenticeships: here are the career options

Legal apprenticeship skills checklist

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

Legal apprenticeship vacancies

Discover legal apprenticeship positions available at various law firms and organisations

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.

Feature

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

New Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC outlines her 2026 priorities

Newly appointed Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC delivered her inaugural address at Gray’s Inn, outlining her key priorities for the year ahead, with a strong emphasis on improving access to justice.

News

Law Society calls for clearer AI guidance

The Law Society of England and Wales has highlighted the need for clearer AI guidance, following the UK government’s call for evidence on the proposed AI Growth Lab.

News

Top City law firms see partner profits surge amid transatlantic mergers

London’s leading commercial law firms have reported sharp rises in partner earnings over the past financial year. Average profit per equity partner at major firms, including Linklaters LLP, A&O Shearman, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Macfarlanes LLP, ranged from more than £1.5 million to more than £3 million during 2024/25. The upward trend was echoed at Clifford Chance, where newly filed Companies House accounts revealed the highest-paid partner received more than £7 million.

News

Criminal barristers pushed to the brink as justice system crisis deepens

Criminal barristers have warned that the justice system in England and Wales is edging towards collapse. With a backlog of 79,000 criminal cases and deteriorating buildings, severe delays are sometimes leaving victims and defendants facing years of uncertainty. Meanwhile, unmanageable workloads are driving many barristers out of the profession, with one in three criminal barristers looking to quit, according to data from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA).

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

Ava Mathias

Ava Mathias is a solicitor apprentice at RPC.

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.