Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice

Graduate, Full Time

Up to £27,448 per annum (pay award pending)

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 26th February 2023

Are you a graduate who is aspiring to be a Solicitor? Are you looking to get your first taste of the legal profession but unsure how? If so, then our Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship vacancy may be just the right thing for you!

The Role

Essex Legal Services provide high quality, professional, legal advice across the Council and to external clients, enabling them to make well informed decisions which positively impact on service delivery whilst meeting statutory requirements.

They work closely with senior leaders to make a real difference to the delivery of the business of the Council and the business of their clients.

The Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice is a brand-new role within ECC offering the opportunity to undertake a two-year, 3-month programme of placements throughout Essex Legal Services in addition to day release to the University of Law for successful completion of the SQE 1 & 2 and the study of other key skills.

For this position you will be studying towards a Solicitor Apprentice Standard Level 7 via the University of Law. Solicitor / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Achievement of the standard and the associated apprenticeship assessment plan will satisfy the SRA's regulatory framework for qualification as a solicitor, subject to the SRA's usual tests of character and suitability.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join Essex Legal Services team as a Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice.

As a Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice, you will undertake a comprehensive programme of training and development through planned placements throughout Essex Legal Services to gain a broad base of qualifying legal experience. You will also spend one day per week studying online towards the SQE 1 and 2 examinations within the agreed, contracted timeframe.

This is a developmental role, offering the opportunity to undertake a wide range of projects, duties and responsibilities to achieve high standards within each placement and demonstrate the deliverable outcomes as agreed at the start of the programme. On a regular basis you will support the legal service in various aspects, including carrying out legal research, drafting legal documents and correspondence, taking instructions and identifying clients' requirements and goals under the supervision of a qualified Solicitor.

This position provides the work-based experience to compliment the learning-based elements of the Apprenticeship Framework and will offer you a supportive environment in which to gain a wealth of experience and transferable skills.

If you are looking to become a crucial part of a friendly, welcoming and high achieving team, this could be the opportunity you are looking for.

Accountabilities

As a Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice, you will complete the SQE 1 and 2 examinations within the agreed, contracted timeframe (both in the final year of study).

As a Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice, you will be undertaking trainee-level tasks. You will assist with the delivery of routine tasks, dealing with day-to-day work including (but not limited to):

• Meet all required criteria at the end of each placement for progression.
• Prepare a work-based portfolio of evidence.
• Undertake a wide range of projects, duties and responsibilities to achieve high standards within each placement and demonstrate the deliverable outcomes as agreed at the start of the programme.
• Conduct proceedings and transactions under the supervision and training of a qualified solicitor including attending courts and tribunals; drafting legal documents and correspondence; taking instructions and identifying clients' requirements and goals; evaluating and assessing information, evidence and legal issues including carrying out research.
• Build strong professional relationships within the council to improve cross function understanding and partnership working.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• Completion of LLB Degree, GDL or PGDL in the last 3 years or
• If one of the above qualifications have been completed more than 3 years ago, willingness to complete a 5-month foundation course before the apprenticeship starts.
• Ability to successfully study and manage competing pressures.
• Ability to review own performance and progression to learn from successes and setbacks.
• Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge.
• Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft office and reasonable keyboard skills.
• Good communication skills with the ability to work with others to achieve tasks and deliver results.
• Ability to contribute to proposals, decisions and developing solutions to tackle problems and achieve outcomes.
• Reviews own performance and progression, seeking feedback to learn and uses it positively.

To read more about us please visit:

Corporate Services: https://www.workingforessex.com/role/corporate-services

Entry to Work: https://www.workingforessex.com/working-here/entry-to-work

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website, ensuring you upload an up-to-date CV and provide a supporting statement when prompted.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here .

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