Trainee Solicitor Development Programme
Length: 30-months starting August 2024
Salary: £39,000
Applications Open: 29th September 2023
Applications Close: 13th November 2023
Entry requirements
Entry requirements will be confirmed when applications open, but are likely to include:
- GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above (new grade 4 or above) or English and Maths Functional Skills at pass.
- Graduate with or predicted to obtain (from 2021 onwards*) a: A 2.1 UK law degree; or
- A 2.1 non-law degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL); or
- law degree from a non-UK jurisdiction plus a PGDL.
- Not completed LPC or SQE1. UK citizen or holding another residence status which meets the Education and Skills FundingAgency’s eligibility criteria for apprenticeship funding.
- Must comply with any Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements.
- Those holding qualifications from educational institutions outside of the UK may need a statement of comparability.
*If you have already achieved any of the above, it must have been achieved from 2021 onwards or you will be required to undertake the Law Essentials course at the start of the programme.
About the programme
Join our award-winning legal team at the Bank of England. Gain on-the-job experience working at the heart of the UK’s central bank as you work toward your SQE assessments. You will spend 20% of your working week studying with our partner, the University of Law (ULaw), and the rest of it working within the Bank’s Legal Directorate.
You will be exposed to a unique combination of public and private law issues. We work on legal matters related to areas such as financial services regulation, banking and payments, insolvency and restructuring, and litigation as well as the Bank’s activities as the UK’s central bank.
What you'll gain
- Earn as you learn.
- Qualify as a solicitor at the UK’s central bank.
- Paid-for course at the University of Law to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE1 and SQE2).
- Work/study on an 80/20 basis to attend ULaw modules and receive study leave around exam periods.
- Mix of six and twelve-month seats rotating across three or more divisions of the Legal Directorate: Central Banking, Financial Stability, Enforcement & Litigation, Insurance and Deposit-takers, and EU & International.
- Access to a wide range of induction and training opportunities and support from a highly experienced legal team.
- The Bank of England operates a hybrid working model – you will be based at our historic building at Threadneedle Street in the City of London and also be able to work from home some of the time.
- When you have passed the SQE and completed the period of qualifying work experience, you will be eligible to become a solicitor registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (subject to meeting relevant character and suitability requirements) and to apply for jobs in the Bank as a newly qualified lawyer.
- These positions are offered on a continuing contract basis, subject to successful completion of the SQE course.
We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce, so we welcome applications from candidates with all backgrounds.