We prefer our trainees to spend six months with us prior to commencing a training contract in order to give them time to settle in, get to know people and understand how the Firm operates but this is dependent on experience.
Training Contracts
Careers
We view our trainees as our next generation of professionals. Our retention rate is high and many of our trainees have become successful and highly respected experts in the Firm.
What we offer
It is not all about the money - although we do offer you a competitive salary and some great benefits– but about job satisfaction and enjoying where you work. We believe that the following five values are central to the success of our training programme and the reason why we attract and retain high calibre trainees:
Inclusivity
New trainees and staff often comment that they felt an immediate sense of belonging and acceptance. We’re a friendly and approachable lot (including the partners!) and making people feel welcome and at home is the cornerstone of our culture. We celebrate what makes us different and also the positive values that bring us together such as mutual respect, fairness and a sense of caring for the people we work with and for.
Responsibility
Our trainees are energetic team players with a passion for the law who thrive on accountability and who are hungry to learn. From the very start of your training contract, we offer exposure to high quality work on live files and encourage you to have client contact.
Self-improvement
As a firm we are committed to being the best that we can be and we want to support you to become the best you can be too. You will be mentored by legal experts and as a member firm of Law South there will be plenty of high quality training opportunities and the chance to meet other high flying trainees like yourself. All you have to do is bring enthusiasm, determination and commitment.
Variety
You will have the opportunity to try different legal seats and explore areas of law that you might not have initially considered, experiencing different personalities and working practices along the way. It is surprising how many of our trainees actually qualify into a different area of law that they had originally imagined!
Fun
Ask our staff what they missed most in lockdown and they will say the office banter and social interaction. We work hard but know how to have fun both in and outside the office. We enjoy our working day and the camaraderie of an interesting bunch of people from all walks of life with lots of different interests. You will get involved with the Firm's networking, marketing events and social activities. As a regional Firm you won't have a long commute or be expected to work unreasonable hours which means you can still enjoy a great social life while developing your career
Our training programme
As you would expect from a Lexcel accredited Firm, our training programme is well structured and designed to ensure that you gain a wide range of experience and develop your professional skills. During the programme, managed by our Training Partner and HR Manager, you will be supervised by our expert solicitors who are all specialists in their particular field of law. You will also attend high quality training courses run in collaboration with Law South, an association of 12 major law Firms including ourselves, based in London and across the South of England.
Seats
You may spend time in any or all of our offices in Ashford, Canterbury and Herne Bay. You will have access to some great resources like Practical Law, LexisNexis and Lawtel. Typically you will complete four seats of six months each, arranged where possible to your preferences.
These may include:
Personal Law
- Family Law
- Wills, Tax and Estate Administration
- Residential Property
- Medical Negligence https://girlingspersonalinjury.co.uk/
- Personal Injury https://girlingspersonalinjury...
Business Law
Law South
Formed in 1988, Law South is an association of 12 major law Firms in London and across the South of England. The Firms have worked together on a wide variety of business and managerial development initiatives that have substantially improved business practices and development as well as achieving considerable cost saving.
Law South's role is also to provide professional development for our trainees and staff. When you train with Girlings you will connect with trainees from all member firms, building a support network and often long term friendships.
Application process
Please download the training contract application form below and send it together with a CV and covering letter to the HR Manager at hrapplications@girlings.com.
TRAINING CONTRACT APPLICATION FORM
Remember to include details of hobbies, unusual skills or pastimes, voluntary work or fund raising initiatives you've been involved in.
If you are shortlisted for interview you will be invited to meet the Training Partner and HR Manager for an initial interview. If you are selected for second stage you will be invited back for a further discussion which will also involve giving a short presentation to one or two of the senior partners and completion of a practical exercise.
If your application is successful you will be required to complete a period of approximately 12 months as a paralegal before commencing a training contract the following September.
How to apply
We have an open-ended application process. Once we have filled our allocation for one year, we will consider applicants for the next. In this way we are able to consider candidates at various stages of the academic process together with career changers and mature students.
Application Criteria
Strong A level results and a 2:1 degree are essential together with some relevant work experience. You will also need to successfully complete the LPC or SQE1. However, academic ability is not the be-all and end-all; the Firm also looks for commercial awareness, enthusiasm, initiative with common sense and personality. We welcome applications from graduates of all ages; cultural and ethnic diversities.
We aim to retain so applications from those with a strong affinity to Kent or wishing to lay down roots in Kent are particularly welcome.
SQE
We welcome applications from all candidates whether you are seeking to qualify via the traditional LPC and training contract route or via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination route. We also participate in the MLaw program which enables students to work alongside our well-respected solicitors whilst studying at university to build up formal Qualifying Legal Work Experience.
Please apply using our Training Contract Application Form
Your privacy
We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information supplied to us by candidates, employees, workers or consultants to the Firm. Our HR Privacy Notice explains how we will collect and use personal information about you.
If you have what it takes and are looking for high quality training in a Kent leading law firm apply now or contact us for further details at hrapplications@girlings.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Related Pages
Meet Katie Collis
Assistant Solicitor
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