Aspiring Solicitors
At Switalskis, we're committed to developing the next generation of solicitors through a range of qualification pathways. Whether you're completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), looking to gain Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), or following the traditional training contract route, we'd love to hear from you. We recruit talented individuals who share our values and are passionate about making a difference. We take a vacancy-led approach, so our opportunities are advertised throughout the year rather than through an annual intake.
We continue to offer training contracts and welcome applications from candidates following both the SQE and transitional Legal Practice Course (LPC) routes. Where possible we also offer Solicitor Apprenticeships and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships. Apprenticeship opportunities are also vacancy-led, which you can find on our Careers page or by following us on LinkedIn . Entry requirements vary depending on the programme. Learn more about solicitor apprenticeships and qualification routes on the Solicitors Regulation Authority website .
We encourage you to keep an eye on our website for current opportunities. If you'd like to find out more or have any questions, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@switalskis.com .
Looking for a training contract - or another way to qualify as a solicitor?
Our Training Principal, Amy Clowrey, answers some key questions:
"We've evolved our approach to reflect the changing landscape of solicitor qualification, adapting to the transition from the LPC to the SQE.
While we continue to support candidates pursuing either route, our growing focus is on helping aspiring solicitors qualify through paralegal roles. By combining real-world legal experience with structured career progression, our focus is to help aspiring and qualifying work experience (QWE) solicitors develop the skills, confidence and practical expertise needed to thrive in today's legal market."
Amy ClowreyTraining Principal
Yes, we do offer training contracts, but they are only one route to qualification. We are finding that more and more aspiring solicitors are looking at other routes. See here for more on training contract applications.
Training contracts are required for those seeking to qualify through the LPC . To do this you must meet the transitional requirements , as the LPC is being phased out. They are not required for those doing the SQE . If you are doing the SQE, we suggest you look at other routes, to make a decision as to what is right for you.
Training contracts are for a fixed period, usually of two years. If you are doing the SQE (see below), you may well find a shorter route to qualification is available.
Many of our aspiring solicitors are now using the SQE route (SQE1 and SQE2), coupled with two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) .
We're delighted to have a lot of paralegals across different practice areas, and for those who want to, we support them to progress and qualify as a solicitor. As the LPC is phased out, we believe the SQE/ QWE route is likely to become the main route to qualification, as it offers you the benefit of hands-on experience to support your learning.
Apprenticeships are a further route to qualification, but they rely on the availability of government funding, see here for more detail.
As with typical training contracts, QWE requires a total of two years of work experience, but the QWE requirements are more flexible. You can check the QWE requirements , but some examples include:
In theory, yes. In practice, that is not how we approach the qualification process.
We would ask about your aspirations at interview – whether you are looking to qualify as a solicitor, whether you have done the LPC or SQE, whether you have any QWE and when you hope/expect to qualify. We are keen that there is transparency at the outset and that we can guide and help you in the process. It doesn’t help you or us if you suddenly tell us that you qualify next week – and we had no idea that you were doing so! We always hope that our aspiring solicitors will qualify with the firm, but we need to plan recruitment of newly-qualified solicitors carefully, so we would look to work with you as your career progresses towards qualification.
That may be possible, but is not how things usually work out in practice.
You may join as a paralegal in our clinical negligence department, having already done 6 months’ QWE elsewhere. You would do so as we had a specific vacancy for a clinical negligence paralegal. We would not “force” you to stay in the clinical negligence department if it proved clearly to be the wrong area for you. We would help you explore other opportunities elsewhere in the firm in such a case, as we regularly recruit paralegals across different departments. If you were fixed on working in a different practice area, you may need to move firm.
At any given moment, our aspiring solicitors will be at different stages of their QWE. It would be difficult to set a programme of rotation that worked for all.
An advantage of the SQE/QWE route is that you can try different practice areas and different types of firm as part of your overall QWE. On the LPC/ training contract route, you may rotate around different departments, but all within the same firm.
The LPC/training contract route is being phased out. We think it likely that many firms will stop offering training contracts in the same way as they have done to date. Rotation through different departments may therefore cease to be as generally available as it has been.
We are all having to rethink the impact that this may have. Our approach is to supplement QWE with a series of training modules across a range of topics. Thay might include drafting, advocacy/public speaking, dealing with difficult clients and time recording tips, for example.
Once you are on a clear pathway to qualification (such as by enrolling on an SQE course), you can join our Qualifying Solicitors Programme (which is unique to Switalskis). In addition to the training modules mentioned above, this will give you:
At Switalskis, we're committed to being a progressive and inclusive workplace for our team. For aspiring solicitors, our development programmes are designed to provide a well-rounded training experience, deeply rooted in a culture that prioritises a healthy work-life balance.
Switalskis was established in 1993 by Stephen Switalski as a law firm focused on providing access to justice and protecting the vulnerable. Over 30 years later we’ve grown to advise individuals and businesses on a range of legal issues, still with a strong commitment to supporting our clients to achieve the best outcomes.
Developing your career with us means you're learning from the best in a firm with a legacy of excellence and integrity. Our efforts have been recognised by multiple industry awards, including being named as a 'Top Tier Firm' in the Legal500 and recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years.
We're proud of our collaborative and supportive culture. Our experienced solicitors are accessible and keen on sharing their knowledge, meaning you'll receive the best mentorship to thrive in your legal career. We also believe in investing into our communities, where you’ll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful initiatives, enhancing your understanding of the law’s impact on society.
Your growth is our priority. We'll make sure you have access to opportunities to progress your career. Our structured development plans are geared towards not only honing your legal expertise but also nurturing the leadership skills for future roles.
There isn't just one route to qualifying as a solicitor. If you're looking to gain practical experience while studying, a Solicitor Apprenticeship could be the right option for you.
At Switalskis, we're pleased to offer both the Solicitor Apprenticeship and the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship roles, giving the opportunity to work alongside experienced legal professionals while studying towards the SQE.
As an apprentice, you'll have one dedicated day each week set aside for study with an approved training provider, with the rest of the week working within the firm. For many, it's a great way to build practical experience while completing the qualifications needed to become a solicitor.
Apprenticeship opportunities are offered on an individual basis and are subject to eligibility and the government apprenticeship funding rules in place at the time. When apprenticeship opportunities become available, they'll be advertised on our vacancies page . You can find out more about whether an apprenticeship route could be right for you by contacting our talent manager, Jaron Shahidi, with a summary of your current qualifications and career stage.
Whether you're just starting a legal career or looking to qualify through the apprenticeship route, we're always interested to hear from talented people who share our values and are keen to build a career with us.
If you've chosen the LPC route to qualification, a training contract is still a route to becoming a solicitor.
Although most new entrants now qualify through the SQE, we continue to offer training contracts for candidates who have completed, or are completing, the LPC. Training Contract opportunities are considered on an individual basis throughout the year, and when opportunities become available, they'll be advertised on our vacancies page . Before applying, you'll need to make sure you meet the relevant entry requirements for a Training Contract.
If there isn't a suitable vacancy but you'd like to register your interest, we'd still be pleased to hear from you. Simply contact our talent manager, Jaron Shahidi, with a copy of your CV and a brief overview of where you are in your qualification journey.
If you have any questions about the training contracts available at Switalskis, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below. We're always happy to point you in the right direction.
If you have any questions about our routes to qualification opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us on 0800 138 0458 or send us a message and we’ll be happy to help.