DPP Law
Trainee Solicitor
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Are you an SQE-qualified professional looking for hands-on, high-impact Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)?
We are a progressive, specialist legal practice seeking a dedicated future Solicitor to join our team.
This is not a traditional corporate training contract. You will be on the front line of civil liberties and public-interest law, defending individuals and holding powerful institutions to account. This role offers comprehensive QWE across three highly interconnected, rewarding practice areas: Criminal Defence, Family Law, and Actions Against the Police.
As part of your professional development, we will fully fund and support your qualification as an Accredited Police Station Representative, giving you the direct advocacy and advisory skills vital for a top-tier criminal defence career.
This role is not a temporary training placement. We are investing in our future leaders. We have an established team of successful Solicitor-Advocates and are looking for a candidate who shares a passion for advocacy.
As you progress through your QWE, we will actively mentor, train, and support you to develop your advocacy skills. Upon qualifying, our goal is to retain you as a permanent member of our team and fully support you in obtaining your Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal/Civil), paving the way for a long-term career as a specialist Solicitor-Advocate.
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What We Are Looking For:
- SQE Qualified: You must have already sat and passed both SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.
- Passion for Social Justice: A genuine commitment to publicly funded law, criminal defence, family welfare, and civil liberties/human rights.
- Resilience & Flexibility: The nature of emergency criminal defence means working outside standard office hours. You must be adaptable, calm under pressure, and highly reliable.
- Strong Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with diverse and vulnerable clients.
- Driving Licence: A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for out-of-hours police station attendances.
Key responsibilities:
- Case Management & Support: Assist senior solicitors with high-stakes casework, including preparing briefs for counsel, taking witness statements, and conducting legal research across criminal, family, and civil liberties matter.
- Client Advice & Advocacy: Under supervision, provide clear, empathetic, and robust legal advice to vulnerable clients during highly stressful periods (such as police detention or care proceedings).
- Police Station Representation: Attend police stations to advise and represent clients.
- Emergency Rota Support: Actively participate in our out-of-hours 24/7 emergency police station rota on a shared team schedule (generous financial enhancements provided).
- Court Attendance: Attend the Magistrates’, Crown, and Family Courts alongside solicitors and counsel to support clients and assist with hearings.
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What We Offer:
- Guaranteed QWE Sign-Off: Full tracking and SRA sign-off of your Qualifying Work Experience by a qualified solicitor.
- Fully Funded Police Station Accreditation: We cover the cost of your portfolios and assessments.
- Clear Post-Qualification Career Path: We actively look to retain our trainees as newly qualified (NQ) Solicitors upon completion of their QWE.
- Competitive Rota Enhancements: Excellent additional compensation for out-of-hours callouts, offering the opportunity for significantly higher overall remuneration.
How to Apply:
Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your passion for these practice areas and confirming your SQE status to suechristopher@dpp-law.com
Closing Date: 23rd October 2026
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