Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship

Summary

Step into the rewarding world of Financial Services by joining our dynamic in-house legal team. We offer a fully funded programme where you can earn while you learn, gain valuable skills, and avoid student debt. The role offers a varied workload and insight into commercial banking in a supportive environment.

Wage

£25,500 a year

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Training course

Solicitor (level 7)

Hours

35 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Usual office hours are 9.00am - 5.00pm, with one hour for lunch. Flexible working - 50/50 hybrid working policy.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 July 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

This role is designed to provide a solid foundation in legal practice within a commercial banking environment, preparing apprentices for future legal careers.

Key tasks include:

Drafting, reviewing, and summarising legal documents
Exposure to different areas of law to include commercial lending, securitisation, contract law, corporate governance and regulatory compliance
Working with internal clients to gather information and clarify legal requirements Shadowing legal colleagues to gain insights into more complex legal matters and procedures
Conducting research on regulatory changes, case law, and legal precedents
Horizon scanning to ensure that the bank is aware of all relevant laws and regulations
Assisting with legal aspects of risk event reports
Participating in training sessions and workshops to develop legal skills and knowledge
Opportunities to develop practical legal skills

Where you'll work

Charnwood House
5B New Walk
Leicester
LE1 6TE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY

Your training course

Solicitor (level 7)

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What you'll learn

Course contents

Obtain relevant facts by effective questioning and active listening.
Find, analyse, and assess documents to extract relevant information including recognising when additional information is needed , interpreting and evaluating information obtained, recording and presenting information accurately and clearly.
Recognise when legal research is needed and use appropriate methods and resources including identifying, finding and assessing the relevance of sources of law, interpreting, evaluating and applying research results, recording and presenting findings of research accurately and clearly.
Develop strategies and solutions including an understanding of a client’s commercial and personal circumstances, their needs, objectives, priorities and constraints.
Provide advice which is informed by appropriate and factual legal analysis and identifying the consequences of different options.
Draft documents from scratch and use precedents which address all legal and factual issues, complying with all formalities and using clear, accurate and succinct language.
Undertake effective spoken and written advocacy in court and outside of formal court hearings including: effective preparation by identifying and mastering relevant facts and legal principles, organize facts to support an argument or position, present a reasoned argument in a clear, logical, succinct persuasive way, make appropriate references to legal authority, comply with formalities, deal with witnesses appropriately, respond effectively to questions or opposing arguments, identify strengths and weaknesses from different parties’ perspectives.
Negotiate solutions to clients’ issues including: identify all parties’ interests, objectives and limits, developing and formulating best options for meeting parties’ objectives, presenting options for compromises persuasively, responding to options presented by the other side, developing compromises between options or parties.
Plan and manage legal cases and transactions including applying relevant processes and procedures to progress matters effectively, assessing, communicating and managing risk, bringing a transaction or case to a conclusion.
Obtain relevant facts by effective questioning and active listening.
Find, analyse, and assess documents to extract relevant information including recognising when additional information is needed , interpreting and evaluating information obtained, recording and presenting information accurately and clearly.
Recognise when legal research is needed and use appropriate methods and resources including identifying, finding and assessing the relevance of sources of law, interpreting, evaluating and applying research results, recording and presenting findings of research accurately and clearly.
Develop strategies and solutions including an understanding of a client’s commercial and personal circumstances, their needs, objectives, priorities and constraints.
Provide advice which is informed by appropriate and factual legal analysis and identifying the consequences of different options.
Draft documents from scratch and use precedents which address all legal and factual issues, complying with all formalities and using clear, accurate and succinct language.
Undertake effective spoken and written advocacy in court and outside of formal court hearings including: effective preparation by identifying and mastering relevant facts and legal principles, organize facts to support an argument or position, present a reasoned argument in a clear, logical, succinct persuasive way, make appropriate references to legal authority, comply with formalities, deal with witnesses appropriately, respond effectively to questions or opposing arguments, identify strengths and weaknesses from different parties’ perspectives.
Negotiate solutions to clients’ issues including: identify all parties’ interests, objectives and limits, developing and formulating best options for meeting parties’ objectives, presenting options for compromises persuasively, responding to options presented by the other side, developing compromises between options or parties.
Plan and manage legal cases and transactions including applying relevant processes and procedures to progress matters effectively, assessing, communicating and managing risk, bringing a transaction or case to a conclusion.

Your training plan

Training in relation to the job role will be provided onsite and the training provider towards the professional qualification will be provided by Nottingham Trent University. This will include occasional study weekends.

Qualifications achieved:

Year 1 & 2: PGDip Applied Legal Knowledge (SQE 1 & 2) exam preparation

More training information

As a Solicitor Apprentice at Cambridge & Counties Bank, you will undertake comprehensive training that combines academic study with practical work experience. Here’s what you can expect:

Qualification: Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will have passed your Solicitors Qualifying Examinations.
Training Location: Your training will be conducted both on-site at Cambridge & Counties Bank in Leicester and through Nottingham Trent University. This ensures you gain hands-on experience while also benefiting from structured academic learning
Training Schedule: The training will follow a block release schedule, where you will spend several weeks at a time focused on academic study, interspersed with periods of practical work at the bank

This blend of training will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the legal profession, providing a solid foundation for your future career.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4)

Degree in:

Law (grade 2:2)

Other in:

See NTU entry requirements for full details (grade N/A)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Resilience and adaptability
Fast-paced environment

Other requirements

Occasional study weekends are required as set out in Nottingham Trent University’s requirements.

About this company

Cambridge & Counties Bank is a specialist bank based in Leicester, UK, offering tailored financial solutions in property finance, asset finance, and savings accounts for businesses and individuals. Known for its personalised service and traditional banking values, the bank supports clients with a range of innovative financial products.

Company benefits

10% pension, 10% profit bonus, 30+ days’ leave, holiday buy/sell, 50% WFH, private medical, life & income cover, cycle & EV schemes, interest-free loans, Perkbox, enhanced family pay, L&D, free hot drinks, social events & community initiatives.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Subject to performance and an appropriate business case, a permanent role as a newly qualified solicitor in the in-house legal team at Cambridge & Counties Bank.

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