Paralegal Apprenticeship (Manchester)
PINSENT MASONS LLP
Manchester (M2 5AE)
Closes on Thursday 29 January 2026
Posted on 24 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Pinsent Masons is seeking to recruit Apprentice Paralegals to join our Vario Paralegal Centre of Excellence based in Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity to join a prestigious corporate law firm, working towards a fully sponsored Paralegal qualification.
- Wage
-
£22,950 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Our apprenticeship salaries are subject to review on an annual basis. Up to date details can be found on our website.
- Training course
- Paralegal (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday between 9.30am to 5.30pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
Pinsent Masons Vario provides a range of professional services to our clients. These include managed legal services, flexible legal provision, legal project management, legal technology consultancy and company secretarial.
We have developed the Paralegal Centre of Excellence, which brings together a range of paralegal skills and capabilities and provides a variety of services to both our lawyers and our clients.
A paralegal is a highly valued member of a legal team that has extensive knowledge of the law and legal matters, but is not a qualified lawyer. Paralegals undertake a wide variety of administrative and legal work. The work our paralegals do is a key part of how we deliver legal services and they can choose to specialise in a specific area of law.
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be based in one or two teams (this may include Construction & Projects, Property, Finance & Restructuring, Disputes, Intellectual Property, Cyber Data & Privacy, Employment, Corporate), enabling you to develop a good understanding of the specific areas of law. You may also have an opportunity to assist other teams depending on business needs.
The type of tasks an Apprentice Paralegal can expect to assist with on a day-to-day basis can vary but may include:
- Helping to manage the documentation required in legal matters, including creating bundles of documents that will be used in court
- Helping to create and maintain template documents (precedents) that will be used in legal transactions
- Taking minutes and writing up notes for meetings or legal proceedings
- Conducting legal research and writing up advice notes
- Drafting legal documents such as settlement agreements, contracts, and legal pleadings
- Other ad-hoc duties and tasks as dictated by the business and client needs
As you progress in your role, you will be introduced to more advanced tasks to help you build a portfolio and work towards the paralegal qualification.
You will be supervised by an experienced MLS (managed legal services) delivery manager and supported by your team, your buddy, and a dedicated early talent team. You will receive full training which will combine on-the-job learning and formal structured sessions to ensure you are fully equipped to succeed in the role. You will also have access to a wide range of courses available through our Pinsent Masons Learning and Development team, enabling you to develop your skills and build a successful career.
Some travel within the UK and Ireland might be required during your apprenticeship. We will help you book your travel and reimburse any travel-related business expenses in line with our policy to enable you to meet the business needs and access relevant training opportunities.
Where you'll work
1 St Michaels
36 Jacksons Row
Manchester
M2 5AE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW LIMITED
Training course
Paralegal (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- assist in administering procedures using most effective channels to progress caseloads.
- conduct legal research using selected sources such as legal databases.
- solve legal technical problems within their remit and escalating as needed.
- present findings from legal research in line with organisational expectations.
- assist in applying the principles of Law to stakeholder cases.
- assist with legal matters and transactions within the organisation.
- communicate using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of the legal process and standard legal terms.
- organise and administer workflow such as legal files, case management and accounting systems to progress work within service level expectations.
- carry out file management activities such as prepare and collate bundles, take and file accurate notes, close and review files, maintain databases and version control.
- use a range of digital tools and technologies, for example to draft legal documents, conduct legal research, carry out data analysis and collaborate with others.
- apply fraud protection measures and cyber security procedures in relation to transactions, keeping up to date with approaches.
- undertake activities to ensure a clear picture of a stakeholder’s needs and risks throughout legal transactions.
- assess risks and benefits to the stakeholder of different options and making recommendations to senior team members to ensure that they work in the stakeholders’ best interests.
- assist in administering procedures using most effective channels to progress caseloads.
- conduct legal research using selected sources such as legal databases.
- solve legal technical problems within their remit and escalating as needed.
- present findings from legal research in line with organisational expectations.
- assist in applying the principles of Law to stakeholder cases.
- assist with legal matters and transactions within the organisation.
- communicate using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of the legal process and standard legal terms.
- organise and administer workflow such as legal files, case management and accounting systems to progress work within service level expectations.
- carry out file management activities such as prepare and collate bundles, take and file accurate notes, close and review files, maintain databases and version control.
- use a range of digital tools and technologies, for example to draft legal documents, conduct legal research, carry out data analysis and collaborate with others.
- apply fraud protection measures and cyber security procedures in relation to transactions, keeping up to date with approaches.
- undertake activities to ensure a clear picture of a stakeholder’s needs and risks throughout legal transactions.
- assess risks and benefits to the stakeholder of different options and making recommendations to senior team members to ensure that they work in the stakeholders’ best interests.
Training schedule
Paralegal Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:
- Apprentice Paralegals have a dedicated weekly study day during which they study legal foundation subjects and skills modules as well as prepare for a range of assessments. Apprentice Paralegals spend the remaining four days per week working with colleagues in the office
- Throughout your studies you will complete regular tasks and receive feedback from your subject tutor, as well as meet with the Skills Coach to support your progress
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Interest in business
- Intellectual capability
- Social adaptability
- Drive
- Personal responsibility
- Positive impact
Other requirements
Graduates or students who have completed more than one year of any degree (including law) are not eligible for this programme as their skills and knowledge exceed the level of this apprenticeship. Candidates who have already completed a legal apprenticeship are not eligible for this programme.
About this employer
Pinsent Masons is a global law firm with over 3,800 employees operating in over 29 offices across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. We have a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality legal advice rooted in a deep understanding of the sectors and geographies in which our clients operate. Our core values are Approachable, Bold and Connected and as a firm we hold these in high regard. Personally and collectively, we live them every day and our firm is a better place for it. We pride ourselves on being an innovative law firm who put people at the heart of the business. Pinsent Masons won the Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe award for the third time at the 2023 Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Awards Europe. The firm has been awarded Gold Employer status in this year’s 2025 Global Workplace Equality Index by Stonewall, recognising our continued commitment to fostering an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace. We are proud to be a Top 75 Employer in the Social Mobility Index 2025. This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We’re proud to have been placed amongst RateMyApprenticeship Best 100 Employers 2024-2025.
https://www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/early-talent/england/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Our benefits include private healthcare policy, pension scheme, interest-free season ticket loan, interest-free gym membership loan, and cycle to work scheme.
After this apprenticeship
- Upon successful completion of your paralegal apprenticeship, you could have the opportunity to apply for paralegal roles at Pinsent Masons and explore a range of future progression opportunities available within our Paralegal Centre of Excellence. Alternatively, depending on role availability and individual preference, you could also apply for our solicitor apprenticeship programme
- If you are successful in securing a Pinsent Masons solicitor apprenticeship role following completion of our paralegal apprenticeship, the duration of the solicitor apprenticeship may be shortened
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001861.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 29 January 2026
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