Deloitte has today (10 September) opened applications for new graduate-level legal qualifications within its UK Deloitte Legal practice. In addition, the firm has also announced the inclusion of new legal apprenticeships as part of Deloitte’s BrightStart Apprenticeship programme.
Deloitte Legal training contract: a new era of legal education
Applications are now open for the Deloitte Legal Training Contract to find the next generation of solicitors. Deloitte’s programme will see successful applicants commence their legal training from September 2020, qualifying as solicitors in 2023.
Deloitte Legal has worked closely with the University of Law (ULaw) to develop an innovative training programme to prepare students for the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the incoming reformed solicitor qualification confirmed last year by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
The new SQE Training Contracts enable law students to take up their place straight out of university, allowing them to start earning immediately while gaining qualifying legal work experience before sitting their SQE 1 and 2. This differs from the current arrangements where trainees do not take up their place until after they have completed an additional year studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC).
Successful applicants will be client facing during periods of their training and will gain valuable experience across a number of Deloitte Legal’s areas of practice including tax litigation, employment and corporate and commercial law.
In addition, trainees will also be able to use first-hand some of the firm’s proprietary legal technology, including dTrax, an AI-enabled contract management tool, and MyInsight, a secure client portal that enables clients to track and monitor their legal compliance services. This innovative approach will help foster a new generation of high quality, forward-thinking solicitors.
Michael Castle, UK managing partner for Deloitte Legal, said: “The legal training environment is undergoing significant change to contend with a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Deloitte Legal is in the fortunate position of being able to immediately adopt the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam, allowing us to be at the forefront of what is undoubtedly an exciting new era in legal education and training.
“We want to broaden access to the profession and make it as inclusive as possible. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring solicitors to earn while they learn, while also encountering the wealth of expertise beyond legal work that Deloitte Legal can offer as a multidisciplinary firm.
“Deloitte Legal is a fast-growing and ambitious team that provides clients with new solutions to legal problems. Our trainees will be able to experience the future of law, today.”
Professor Andrea Nollent, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of ULaw, said: “It has always been hugely important for us to nurture the next generation of legal talent. With the new SQE Training Contracts allowing students to experience the real legal world earlier in their career and education, we are now able to team with leading organisations such as Deloitte to continue our aim of providing a more practical and hands-on legal education.”