A guide to law apprenticeships

Legal apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route to becoming a lawyer that combine a paid job at a law firm with studying for formal qualifications, funded by the government and your employer. It’s an alternative to the traditional route of going to university and training to be a lawyer after graduating. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are also on the rise and new details have recently emerged regarding the introduction of barrister apprenticeships too. Find out more about the different legal apprenticeship options in this guide.

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For more information about the different types of legal apprenticeships and your career possibilities as an apprentice, you should read The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2025.

Law apprenticeships allow aspiring lawyers to qualify while working. They offer an alternative route to a career as a lawyer and are a great option for those who want a university degree but are put off by the tuition and maintenance costs. A range of legal apprenticeships are available across England and Wales, providing qualifications for various positions, such as paralegal and legal assistant roles, and a six-year programme ending in qualification as a solicitor. As mentioned, law firms have also been introducing graduate apprenticeships, which work in a similar way to the traditional training contract.

Plus, there have been conversations around barrister apprenticeships for several years now but in December 2024 the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) revealed the barrister apprenticeship standard, which sets out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to become a successful practising barrister in England and Wales.

The prospect of learning while getting involved in practical work is appealing to many. However, knowing where to start can be confusing, especially given the various apprenticeships that are now on offer. Read on to find out more about what different apprenticeship paths involve and whether you’re eligible.

Am I eligible for a law apprenticeship?

There are different entry points for legal apprenticeships. Some are aimed at graduates and others at school leavers, or people working in paralegal and legal support roles.

CILEX Law School has created a useful legal apprenticeship eligibility checker that shows you which apprenticeship pathways are open to you.

Below, we’ve set out each type of legal apprenticeship and what they involve, as well as the eligibility criteria and the options available once that apprenticeship has been completed.

You can use the government’s ‘find an apprenticeship’ tool to browse available opportunities.

Intermediate apprenticeship

While the number of intermediate/legal administration/business administration apprenticeships seem to have dwindled over the years, they’re aimed at school leavers who’ve not completed A levels. It’s a 15 to 21-month course that involves helping lawyers to progress cases by performing key administrative tasks such as research, receiving calls, proofreading, audio typing and dealing with confidential information. It develops key legal workplace skills and knowledge.

Eligibility requirements

Entry requirements vary between employers, but it’s often five GCSEs or equivalent qualifications graded 4/C, including maths and English. For other employers you might not need formal qualifications but you’re likely to be asked to take maths and English as part of the apprenticeship.

What does it involve?

The intermediate apprenticeship develops a range of essential skills, knowledge and behaviours. Skills include IT, communication, time management, organisation and providing general administrative support. The knowledge element covers topics including business processes, policies and stakeholder management, while the behaviours aspect of the apprenticeship focuses on developing professionalism.

What qualification do I gain?

The intermediate apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3, is a professional qualification equivalent to A level. It forms a foundation from which to gain further in-work qualifications.

What’s the next step?

People who complete the intermediate apprenticeship may progress into a full-time position at the company or onto the paralegal apprenticeship (detailed below). This can be followed by the next apprenticeship stage or the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ).

Paralegal apprenticeship

The paralegal apprenticeship trains apprentices in the skills needed to practise in a particular legal practice area. Paralegals work alongside solicitors on legal matters, often performing many of the same tasks and responsibilities. The practice area that the apprentice moves into will be determined by their law firm (ie, what the law firm does and what its business needs are). The paralegal apprenticeship lasts 24 months.

Am I eligible?

The entry requirements are three A levels (grade C or above) and five GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) graded 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English. This means that you can start the paralegal apprenticeship immediately after leaving school or following an intermediate apprenticeship.

What does it involve?

Paralegal apprentices gain legal knowledge relevant to their specific role and practice area, while also developing a core set of knowledge and skills that make up the compulsory aspects of the apprenticeship, regardless of which firm the apprentice joins or the area of law they work in. The knowledge aspect of the apprenticeship varies between education providers but will cover modules such as:  

• law and legal practice;
• legal research; and
• client care.

In addition, apprentices gain knowledge of the law and practice appropriate to their role and the pathway selected.

The skills component of the apprenticeship covers areas, such as:

• business structures, regulatory requirements and ethics;
• communication and confidentiality;
• drafting legal documents;
• managing legal files;
• planning and managing the apprentice’s own workload;
• legal research;
• processing clients’ instructions;
• costs and billing;
• contributing effectively to teamwork; and
• maintaining and developing knowledge and skills.

In terms of how this translates into tangible legal work, paralegal apprentices can expect to work with solicitors and clients on various aspects of transactions, prepare written correspondence or bundles for court, taking minutes in meetings, conduct legal research and draft legal documents (eg, contracts and legal pleadings).

Assessment format will likely vary between providers. Paralegal apprentices will be assessed throughout the 24-month course via written assessments and exams. Apprentices must also build a portfolio – this is a collection of evidence detailing all the things the apprentice has experienced to meet the competency requirements. 

What qualification do I gain?

Paralegal apprentices will gain a level 3 qualification.

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) is the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship Standard.

NALP’s Chief Executive Officer Jane Robson said: “Being an EPAO for the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship Standard means that we can be fully involved in ensuring that tomorrow’s paralegals have the best foundation of knowledge and skills possible, which is good for all of our members and the profession itself.”

What’s the next step?

Completing the paralegal apprenticeship grants eligibility to progress onto the next stage of apprenticeship: solicitor apprenticeship, CILEX’s CPQ or its chartered legal executive apprenticeships.

Further training is likely to take the form of a chartered legal executive apprenticeship. Some paralegals may also progress onto the solicitor apprenticeship and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) to qualify as a solicitor. Others, however, may choose to remain a qualified paralegal.

Find out more about the CPQ via the CILEX website.

Chartered legal executive or or chartered legal executive litigator and advocate apprenticeships

The CILEX Lawyer apprenticeship (chartered legal executive, and chartered legal executive litigator and advocate) is designed for those looking to qualified with lawyer status, while developing one area of specialism. This apprenticeship will support you in developing the skills your business needs. As a CILEX Lawyer, you’ll have full practice rights in your chosen specialism and complete equivalent work to that of a solicitor. Candidates usually complete previous qualifications, such as the paralegal apprenticeship, before starting this apprenticeship.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must be working in a role that meets CILEX Regulation’s requirements for qualifying experience during the final years of your apprenticeship.

What does it involve?

The duration of this apprenticeship will depend on your entry point and route (ie, contentious or non-contentious). There are a range of practice areas available, including civil litigation and family. Apprentices will be expected, among other things, to:

• take instructions from clients and gather an understanding of client needs;
• conduct legal research;
• review and analyse documents; and
• apply findings from research to inform casework and decision-making strategies. 

CILEX offers flexible online learning with a mix of interactive webinars and workshops as part of this apprenticeship. You’ll complete CILEX’s CPQ, achieving CILEX Lawyer status. The end-point assessment will involve a work-based learning portfolio and, for contentious routes, an advocacy skills assessment.

What qualification do I gain?

After the chartered legal executive apprenticeship, candidates will become Chartered CILEX Lawyers and will be granted full practice rights in both non-contentious and contentious areas of law.

What’s the next step?

None, in terms of further academic study or training – you’re now a practising lawyer! However, if you do want to qualify as a solicitor, you’ll need to pass both stages of the SQE and the SRA’s character and suitability assessment. There are exemptions available for chartered legal executive candidates, so it’s worth checking the SRA website for further details.

For more information on the SQE, head to LCN’s SQE hub, sponsored by The University of Law.

Solicitor apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is a six-year programme that integrates studying for a law degree with paid, on-the-job training at a law firm. It ends in qualification as a solicitor – a role that was previously reserved only for those who took the traditional university route.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP was one of the first US-headquartered firms to introduce a solicitor apprenticeship, with many others following suit, including magic circle law firms.

Eligibility requirements

You need three A levels (minimum grade requirements vary among employers from CCC to AAB), as well as five GCSEs or equivalent qualifications graded 9 to 4 (A* to C), which must include maths and English.

What does it involve?

Solicitor apprentices are trained on the job at a law firm, while the academic side of training is delivered by law schools such as CILEX Law School, BPP University Law School and The University of Law.

For the first few years, apprentices will work towards their law degrees, while the final couple of years are likely to be spent working towards taking and passing the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. The SQE is the centralised assessment that all candidates must pass to qualify as a solicitor, whether they’ve taken the apprenticeship route or another path.

A solicitor apprentice can expect to undertake a range of tasks that use the full breadth of essential legal skills while working at their law firm day to day. Tasks will likely include:

• working to help progress transactions and/or cases;
• using legal knowledge and commercial judgement to find solutions for clients’ needs;
• interacting with clients and other solicitors; and processing, reviewing and sending important documents.

What qualification do I gain?

Solicitor apprentices gain a law degree and ultimately qualify as solicitors, with potentially very interesting, fulfilling and well-paid careers ahead.

What’s the next step?

In terms of education and training, once you’ve completed the apprenticeship, including the SQE, there’s no next step – you’re now a fully qualified solicitor! Newly qualified solicitors should have an exciting career path ahead of them, with the option to pursue the popular long-term ambition of becoming partner in a law firm, and plenty of opportunities for further professional development and training.

Graduate solicitor apprenticeship

Graduate apprenticeships are a new and evolving route for aspiring solicitors who already have an undergraduate degree or equivalent. As this route is fairly new, it’s still being developed and may be subject to changes. Graduate apprentices join a firm directly and complete a training programme (much like the two-year training contract). Trainees start gaining on the job experience and earning a salary.

You can find out more about the differences between solicitor and graduate solicitor apprenticeships via this LCN Says article.

Am I eligible?

The entry requirements are a 2:2 degree or above (or equivalent) and GCSE English and maths at level C or 4 or above (or equivalent). Some employers set their own entry requirements and may require a 2:1 or higher, so make sure to check their specific criteria before you apply.

What does it involve?

This route can take between two to three years and often involves a firm working with a preferred provider to deliver the educational aspect of the apprenticeship (eg, an SQE preparation course). As with solicitor apprenticeships, around 20% of a trainee’s time must be spent doing off-the-job training. For example, you may have a block release for study, or have one day a week dedicated to off-the-job study, with the four remaining days dedicated to the required work-based element of the apprenticeship.

Naturally, these vary but The University of Law specifies that its graduate apprenticeship has a particular focus on the skills of:

• interviewing;
• advocacy;
• case and matter analysis;
• legal research;
• legal writing; and
• drafting.

This is alongside the many other different skills and competencies that are required of a solicitor. At the end of the apprenticeship, trainees qualify by completing the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.

What qualification do I gain?

Just as you would if you completed the traditional training contract route, once you’ve passed the SQE exams, have passed the SRA’s character and suitability assessment and successfully applied for admission to the roll of solicitors, you become a qualified solicitor.

Barrister apprenticeship

Following “months of hard work”, the BSB and IFATE announced the barrister apprenticeship standard at the end of 2024. The standard provides the framework for an apprenticeship route to qualification and will sit alongside the three other routes to qualifying as a barrister, which are:

• the three-step route (ie, complete a degree, Bar course and pupillage);
• the four-step route (ie, as above but the Bar course is split into two parts); and
• the combination of the academic (ie, degree) and vocational components (ie, Bar course) to enable aspiring barristers to complete them at the same time before moving onto the work-based component, pupillage.

The BSB will continue to set and oversee the requirements that barrister apprentices and training providers must meet to ensure consistency of standards across all four pathways.

Barrister apprenticeships are expected to improve access to the legal profession as the existing route comes at a significant cost, with fees for university sitting at £9,250 and up to £19,000 for the required Bar courses.

The next step is for the barrister apprenticeship trailblazer group to determine what course of action is required for the barrister apprenticeship to be implemented.  

An alternative to full-time study

Legal apprenticeships offer a vital option for people who are interested in a career in law, but don’t want to go through the traditional university route for reasons such as financial circumstances, or not feeling like they’d enjoy a purely academic environment. 

However, embarking on a legal apprenticeship is a big commitment in terms of time and effort.  An apprenticeship can also limit your options more than the traditional university route (eg, where a degree can be a platform from which to launch a range of different possible careers after graduating), so it’s important to give real thought to what you want from your future career before applying for an apprenticeship place.

Olivia Partridge (she/her) is the content manager at LawCareers.Net.