Frequently Asked Questions
1. What seats can the firm offer?
The firm currently offers 4 x 6-month seats in one the following areas:
Corporate;
Employment;
Litigation;
Property.
The seats are subject to change and you will be notified of any changes as soon as is practical.
2. What work supervision will I receive as a Trainee with the firm?
In most instances, you will sit with a Partner or a senior fee earner. Usually this person supervises and provides feedback on your progress within a given seat. This ensures you have direct access to a senior lawyer who can guide and advise you during your seat.
Additionally, you will have a Mentor for the duration of your Training Contract. The Mentor’s role is to provide support in respect of any professional or personal concerns that you might have.
The firm encourages an open door policy, which applies to all members of staff, and this allows you to direct any questions you may have to any fee earner, whatever their position or level of qualification.
3. What type of work can I expect to become involved in?
Whilst the levels and type of work will vary with each seat, you are expected to manage your own caseload from an early stage. Although this is always under the supervision of a more senior lawyer.
Typical tasks passed to a trainee include:-
• Presenting solutions to complex legal issues;
• Drafting and negotiating documentation, for example for the sale and resale and purchase of land;
• Meeting with Counsel;
• Attending Court;
• Meeting with clients;
• Preparing bundles for court.
4. How many Trainees are recruited every intake?
We seek to recruit up to two Trainee Solicitors each year. Usually we recruit one trainee for September and a second for the March after that. Any decision to change the number of recruits is made subject to business needs.
5. How and when should I apply?
If you wish to apply please download our application form and complete this and return to trainingcontracts@seddons.co.uk along with a copy of your CV.
Please note: If your application is incomplete or received outside our recruitment period from 1 October 2011 and 31 December 2011, your application will be rejected.
6 . What type of people are we looking for?
We are looking for commercially minded people who have an aptitude for working with complex issues involving people, business and the law. The firm prides itself on providing excellent legal service to its clients. In order to maintain this high standard we use the selection process to identify students who demonstrate a strong academic background, including LPC electives that mirror our practice areas. We will also review your work experience and identify individuals who are motivated; personable and can bring additional qualities to Seddons.
Due to the large volume of applications that we receive annually we will only consider applicants who have obtained a minimum of a 2.1 at degree level.
You will also need to have successfully completed your LPC prior to commencement of your training contract.
The firm welcomes applicants with degrees in both legal and non-legal disciplines.
7. What type of additional training can I expect to receive?
The firm organises many in house seminars dealing with various updates/changes to the law materially affecting our practice. You are invited to all of these seminars irrespective of the seat you are completing at any given time.
8. What is the likelihood of being retained by the firm on qualification?
The policy of the firm is to retain Trainee Solicitors at the conclusion of the training contract where there is a vacancy available. Decisions to retain any Trainee Solicitor upon qualification is made with reference to your performance throughout your two year training programme.