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Weekly Newsletter #25

25 October 2026 · 10 min read

Inside this issue

Career opportunities spotted this week

📍 Work experience, insight days, grants & placement opportunities

⭐ Inclusie's pick of the week ⭐️

🎙️ Nomio x Inclusie Club (Virtual)

I’ll actually be on the panel for this one (eek!) talking more about the Inclusie Club and in-house careers alongside Emma Lilley (aka In-House Potter/ Inhoco founder) and Oliver Storey, Head of Legal at Metro Bank.

If you’re curious about working in-house, this webinar on 12th November will cover entry routes alongside discussing why junior in-house talent is so important to the legal industry!

You can find out more and register for free here - add “Inclusie Club” under Where did you hear about us? to secure your ticket!

🤝 Penningtons Manches Cooper (Various)
PMC’s four-day EMpower Programme, for students from Black heritage or ethnic minority backgrounds, combines work shadowing and application support with a 12-month mentoring relationship. Strong performers can secure a place on the following year’s vacation scheme.

For a taster of PMC open to all, there’s a Birmingham Open Day on 17th November and a Guildford Open Evening on 1st December, both closing on 30th October.

🏛️ Serle Court (London & Virtual)
Serle Court’s Prospective Pupillage Evening runs in chambers on Tuesday 17th November and online on Wednesday 18th November. It covers the application process, life as a pupil and careers at the Commercial and Chancery Bar, with talks from members and the chance to meet barristers over refreshments. Chambers particularly encourages people from under-represented groups to come along.

⛰️ Cumbria Law Centre (Cumbria)
This volunteer role offers real insight into how a Law Centre operates: researching housing, welfare benefits and employment issues, learning from solicitors and caseworkers, and supporting triage admin, with full training given.

🎓 Cobden House Chambers (Manchester)
This multi-disciplinary Manchester set is holding its Pupillage Open Evening on Wednesday 25th November, where you can meet barristers and clerks and learn about its pupillage process. Spaces are limited, so register soon.

🥂 British-Nigeria Law Forum (London)
The SRA are sponsoring eight free places for aspiring solicitors and barristers to attend the BNLF Annual Gala Dinner & Awards on Friday 20th November, 6pm to 11.30pm, in the Great Hall at Lincoln’s Inn. It’s a rare chance to network with senior practitioners in a setting most people starting out never get access to. Check the post for how to apply. Deadline: 30th October.

🏆 PNBA (Nationwide)
The Professional Negligence Bar Association’s 2026 Essay Competition is aimed at law students who haven’t yet secured a pupillage or training contract, and it will be judged by Baroness Carr, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales. Winners receive cash prizes plus work experience at one of the chambers on the PNBA’s executive committee. Deadline: 27th November.

📣 Nine Chambers (Manchester)
Nine Chambers’ Open House on Thursday 26th November (5-9pm) covers pupillage applications, interview prep and life as a barrister, straight from current members and clerks, followed by networking drinks. It’s open to law and non-law undergraduates, conversion course students and anyone applying for pupillage. Just 70 places are available, allocated in registration order, so apply ASAP.

🐑 Yorkshire Legal Careers Fair (Leeds)
More than 30 Yorkshire law firms and employers will be under one roof at this free fair on Wednesday 4th November at the Leeds Marriott Hotel. Expect one-to-one CV advice and sessions on applications, LinkedIn and interviews, whether you’re after a training contract, graduate role, apprenticeship or vacation scheme. Register via the link.

👩⚖️ Merseyside Junior Lawyers Division (Merseyside)
MJLD’s Court Marshalling Scheme lets you shadow a judge in the county, criminal or family court and see first-hand how judges consider and manage cases. Deadline: 6th November.

🏥 Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (Wakefield/Dewsbury)
Final-year law students and conversion course students can shadow the Trust’s Specialist Advisor for Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, seeing the Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act in practice, with possible access to Ethics Committee meetings and mock inquests. The deadline is today, so be quick!

🧑🏫 Route to Robes (Nationwide)
Set up by two current pupils, Route to Robes is a new mentoring programme for people who have been called to the Bar and plan to apply for pupillage in the next few months.

💼 Trainee, Apprenticeship & Pupillage Roles

🏛️ Lawrence Stephens (London)
This Farringdon firm, whose clients range from founder-led businesses to challenger banks to the occasional Premier League footballer, is recruiting for its September 2027 trainee intake. It’s a smaller cohort than most, aiming for 100% retention of its trainees. Deadline: 30th November.

🌾 Roythornes Solicitors (Nottingham)
Roythornes is hiring an Apprentice Paralegal for its Tax & Trusts team, a two-year Level 3 apprenticeship starting in March 2027. The role suits recent A-level leavers or anyone looking for an entry-level route into law (you can’t already hold a degree for this one). Deadline: January 2027.

🔍 Department for Business and Trade (Birmingham/Teddington)
This one isn’t a legal role, but it’s a great alternative for anyone interested in how the law is enforced in practice. DBT’s two-year Regulatory Enforcement Trainee Programme has four places, and you’ll study for a Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship while learning to investigate non-compliance and take enforcement action. GCSE English and Maths are desirable, and no previous experience in regulation is required. Applications close on Thursday 29th October, so be quick!

🏠 VC LAW (Southport)
VC LAW is recruiting a Trainee Solicitor for a two-year training contract in its Southport office, focused on commercial property and secured lending. You’ll get exposure to live deals and work closely with the commercial team from day one. Worth noting that they are looking for someone who already has some property experience. Applications close on 16th November.

💷 Carter Burnett (Beverley)
Carter Burnett is hiring two Trainee Costs Lawyers, a great first step if you’re degree-qualified and happy to keep studying. You’ll prepare costs documents, budgets and court assessments while learning from experienced professionals.

🏛️ Trowers & Hamlins (London)
Trowers & Hamlins is expanding its Solicitor Apprenticeship across its four UK offices, including London. You’ll work four days a week and study one day towards your law degree, qualifying as a solicitor at the end of the programme. Year 13 students can get a feel for the firm first at its London insight day on Tuesday 24th November. Applications close on 19th February 2027.

🗒️ Paralegal & Entry Level Roles

🏛️ HM Courts & Tribunals Service (Port Talbot)
HMCTS is hiring two Operational Support Officers for its Enforcement Office, which works with the criminal courts to make sure fines, confiscation orders and fixed penalties are paid. You’ll progress cases through the court system, handle enquiries from the public and update digital records, with 12 weeks of office-based training to start. No legal background is needed; they’re looking for customer service, admin and communication skills which can come from work, education or volunteering. Deadline: 6th November.

💻 Warwickshire County Council (Warwick)
Warwickshire Legal Services is hiring a Legal Assistant for its Education Law Team, supporting local authorities and schools on SEND Tribunals, School Admission Appeals and Independent Review Panels. It’s a responsible role in a nationally recognised team of over 140 legal professionals, and a law degree or relevant experience will get you through the door. Deadline: early November.

⚖️ Bindmans (London)
Bindmans’ Criminal Law team is hiring a Paralegal to support fee earners with case preparation, from legal research and drafting witness statements to attending clients in prison, conferences and court. The role counts as QWE for anyone on the SQE route, and LPC candidates may be able to move into a training contract after 12 months. You’ll need some prior experience for this one (worth checking the website for requirements). Deadline: 2nd November, midday.

📣 Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers (Reading)
Two roles are now open at this growing boutique family law firm: a Legal Assistant role where they say there is a genuine pathway to Paralegal, Trainee Solicitor and NQ, and a flexible part-time Legal Administrator & Compliance Support role. Worth reading each job spec carefully on this one.

📋 Deighton Pierce Glynn (London)
DPG’s Administrative Assistant position offers a window into a firm specialising in civil liberties and social justice. You’ll handle office admin, IT support and website and social media updates and help with client files and court bundles. Deadline: 6th November.

🏛️ Stevenage Borough Council (Stevenage/Hybrid)
This part-time, 22-hour-a-week Legal Support Assistant role sits in the council’s small legal section. You’ll work on a caseload of property and litigation matters, from debt recovery through Money Claims Online to Right to Buy sales and small land transactions. Some experience in a legal environment is needed for this one. Deadline: 8th November, but it may close early if there’s high demand.

🏘️ GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates (London)
GT Stewart is hiring a Paralegal to work across homelessness, disrepair, possession proceedings, unlawful eviction, discrimination claims, judicial review and public law. It could be a great opportunity if you’re committed to access to justice and social justice or are interested in property law. Previous experience is desirable but not essential. Apply ASAP.

🗂️ North Yorkshire Council (Northallerton)
The council’s People Services (Childcare) legal team is hiring Paralegal Officers to prepare court bundles, draft care proceedings applications and orders, and liaise with counsel and social workers ahead of hearings (note: this role involves sensitive subject matter). You’ll need strong organisational skills, great attention to detail and a ‘can do’ attitude, and there’s scope for hybrid working. It’s a fixed-term contract until March 2027, with a deadline of 1st November.

Your questions answered

Q: I have my first interview coming up for a paid legal role. I’m so nervous, do you have any advice on what to expect?

Recent graduate

My response: Huge congratulations on getting yourself an interview! Remember that if they’re interviewing you, they’ve already read your CV, cover letter or application and think you could be a good fit. The hard part is done. Now it’s your chance to show them who you are.

🗓️ What to expect
Your interview will likely be with the hiring manager, with the HR team or both. You’ll usually get a mix of:

📝 Prepare stories, not a script
Pick four or five examples from your degree, hobbies, part-time jobs or volunteering that show skills like organisation, attention to detail, teamwork and working under pressure. Most competency questions can be answered with one of your examples. Retail and hospitality experience absolutely counts!

🙂 Be yourself
I know it’s challenging in an interview setting, but us lawyers are just people too. The main questions they’ll be asking themselves are ‘do I want to work with this person’ and ‘do I want them on my team’? Bringing some personality is key rather than sounding like you’re reading from a script (we shared more on what makes someone stand out in Q&A #14 if you’d like a few more tips).

❓ Have a couple of questions ready
Always ask a question at the end of the interview. It could be about what a typical week might look like in the role, what their favourite part of working for the firm is or something you’ve researched about the role ahead of time.

😮💨 Make the nerves easier
Plan your journey and aim to arrive at least ten minutes early. If it’s on video, test the link and your camera beforehand. Bring water. And if a question throws you, it’s completely fine to say ‘can I take a moment to think about that?’

🌱 It’s a learning experience
Even if it doesn’t go your way, you’ll learn so much from it. Jot down the questions you were asked while they’re fresh, and if you don’t get the role, ask for feedback. Every interview makes the next one easier.

Good luck this week, and let us know how it goes! 💛

5 minutes with… Jamie Hilder, Senior Business Manager and Degree Apprenticeships Lead at Queen Mary University of London Story page

This piece is kindly sponsored by Queen Mary University of London. Queen Mary is pleased to contribute to the work of Inclusie Club, helping to drive inclusion in the legal sector and open up varied career pathways, by keeping resources like this newsletter free for aspiring legal professionals and Early Talent teams.

Q: Thank you so much for chatting to us, Jamie. First, can you tell us a little about what paralegal and solicitor apprenticeships are, and why both employers and students might be interested in them?

For individuals from all backgrounds seeking an affordable route into a career in the legal sector, paralegal

and solicitor apprenticeships are a great option, giving you the chance to work at a top employer and study in parallel. You’ll typically work four days a week and study on the fifth, so you gain your LLB degree and a route to qualification with zero student debt, while building your workplace skills from day one!

For employers such as law firms and in-house teams, apprenticeships are also a great way to attract talent, as many market-leading businesses have found. Your Apprenticeship Levy contributions can fund your apprentices’ education in full, giving them an “earn while you learn” pathway and a debt-free degree, while you focus on supporting them in the role.  By offering such roles, employers have the chance to make a tangible difference, at a critical time when we have almost one million young people outside education, employment or training, and with the Government's Milburn review set to place even greater emphasis on youth opportunity.

In the legal sector, there are options: employers can offer the two-year Paralegal Apprenticeship, or a longer pathway that lets apprentices gain a degree and qualify as a solicitor.

Q: Why did Queen Mary want to develop this “degree apprenticeship” model?

We’re an unusual university in a way: a top Russell Group university, with a Law School ranked among the best in the world. We attract talented students, but we also have a core social mission to create opportunity for all, which is why we care about creating degree apprenticeship routes.

I’ve worked here for many years and led these programmes, and it’s been so rewarding to see them create opportunity for everyone. I love our incredibly diverse student base, and we’re proud to have been ranked a top university for social mobility for several years by the Sutton Trust, and again recently by the Social Mobility Commission.

Degree apprenticeships, which offer debt-free access to a Russell Group degree, are a key part of our strategy to open up the legal profession to all. Since 2015, we have pioneered apprenticeship programmes with employers such as PwC, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and Amazon, and we were the first Russell Group university to do so.

Q: Now you’re offering a Paralegal and Solicitor degree apprenticeship route. What’s different about the Queen Mary offer?

We’re really excited about the new Law School offering in our “Academy for Professional Legal Education”, which launches for apprentice roles starting from September 2027. For employers who partner with us, you can advertise paralegal or solicitor apprentice roles in your law firm or in-house team, with a real point of difference: if apprentices choose to come to you, they get the following (from Queen Mary):

We’re delighted to be partnering with leading legal apprenticeship body City Century, and a number of legal sector employers are already on board as we prepare for the September 2027 launch. We’d love to welcome apprentices from in-house legal teams into our cohort too!

You can read more about the offering here.

Thank you, Jamie, for putting together this piece. It’s brilliant to see more routes into law opening up and legal apprenticeships growing in popularity every year. If you’re a law firm or in-house team keen to find out more, Jamie would love to hear from you at [email protected].

This week’s career tip

Struggling to get work experience? Consider going to watch a hearing. Most hearings in magistrates’ and Crown Courts are open to the public and you can usually just turn up on the day (although it’s worth checking the court’s guidance before you go as some hearings, like family and youth cases, are held in private). It’s free and a great way to see advocacy in action. It also gives you something real to talk about in applications.

Try this: Check the court lists on GOV.UK to see what’s on at your nearest court, then pick a morning to go along.

That’s all for now. See you next week!

Emma

The careers advice shared in this newsletter is intended as general guidance and should not be treated as formal legal or recruitment advice. I do my best to keep all opportunities and deadlines accurate and up-to-date at the time of writing, but always double-check the employer’s website before applying.