Ison Harrison is keen to ensure that their trainee solicitors receive high quality, structured training in a supportive environment. 

Ison Harrison Solicitors is now inviting trainee solicitor applications to commence in August 2023 and 2024.

Applications will be accepted for both the LPC / Period of Recognised Training and the SQE routes to qualification.

As a general rule, there are two intakes of trainee solicitors each year depending on business need.  These may, however, only be advertised to our current employees as an internal vacancy.  Successful applicants will need to have a 2:1 degree (as a minimum) and 12+ months fee-earner, paralegal or similar experience.

Periods of Recognised Training

Periods of Recognised Training are offered are on a 2 year, full-time, fixed term contract (extended for part-time hours in accordance with SRA regulations).  Time to Count, to reduce the duration by taking into account previous relevant experience, is not usually awarded.

Trainee Solicitors can expect to experience three different areas of law.  This may be 3 seats of 6 months plus a return to a seat for 6 months pre-qualification, or longer and shorter seats to accommodate the business need and /or the trainee solicitor’s preference.  Experience in different areas of law might also be gained concurrently, particularly in a branch office.  We aim to always provide a seat in the trainee’s preferred area of law with the other seats being led by business need and the trainee’s development needs and existing skills.

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

SQE training is offered as an apprenticeship, which usually takes 27 months to complete.   Start dates will be linked to the training provider’s courses.

Trainee Solicitors will gain relevant work experience.  The area(s) of law offered will take into account business need and /or the trainee solicitor’s preference and previous experience.

Competences and Practice Skills

Our trainee solicitors work under supervision but are expected to develop their knowledge and skills so that, with training, they can take on more responsibilities and are able to deal with a variety of legal matters.

At qualification, solicitors must meet the required standard of competency for Ethics, Professionalism and Judgement, Technical Legal Practice, Working with Other People and Managing Themselves and Their Own Work.  These skills will be developed during the training contract but as well as a minimum 2:1 degree, successful applicants will need:

  • Honesty and Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Excellent client care skills
  • Good IT skills and experience of case management systems
  • Excellent communication skills
  • To be able to explain complex legal issues in plain English, both verbally and in writing.
  • To be able to work with a high level of accuracy
  • To be able to work within deadlines while managing a busy caseload (under supervision)
  • To be a quick learner, able to recognise different legal aspects and apply the correct procedure
  • To be able to work towards financial targets.

Other required skills are shown on the Job Description and Person Specification.

Training Seats

Regardless of the qualification route, we endeavour to tailor the training to the individual rather than have a ‘one size fits all approach’.  A significant number of our trainee solicitors gain experience in property, family and/or wills and probate which are our core branch offerings.  Other training contracts at Ison Harrison Solicitors may have a commercial, legal aid or civil litigation focus.  Some are more varied, particularly if the trainee does not have a clear idea of where they wish to qualify.  As well as the trainee’s preferences, consideration is also given to business need.  If the business need changes, this may result in changes to seat plans, sometimes at short notice.

Trainee Solicitors will be given the opportunity to work in at least three areas of law.  It is anticipated that these will include Family, Property and/or Wills & Probate however training seats are available in the following areas:

  • Clinical Negligence
  • Commercial Debt Recovery
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Company & Commercial
  • Commercial Property
  • Criminal Law
  • Employment
  • Family
  • Immigration
  • New Build Property
  • Personal Injury
  • Public Law
  • Residential Property
  • Regulatory Law
  • Wills & Probate

Trainee Solicitors will be asked on commencement of their training contract for their seat preferences and these will be taken into consideration (subject to business need and suitability).

Ison Harrison’s preference is for 3 seats of 6 months, followed by a return to the seat the trainee solicitor is wishing to qualify into for the final 6 months. The duration of the seats may however be shorter or longer than six months as each period of recognised training is individual to the trainee.

Regardless of the qualification route, we endeavour to tailor the training to the individual rather than have a ‘one size fits all approach’.  A significant number of our trainee solicitors gain experience in property, family and/or wills and probate which are our core branch offerings.  Other training contracts at Ison Harrison Solicitors may have a commercial, legal aid or civil litigation focus.  Some are more varied, particularly if the trainee does not have a clear idea of where they wish to qualify.  As well as the trainee’s preferences, consideration is also given to business need.  If the business need changes, this may result in changes to seat plans, sometimes at short notice.

Ison Harrison is proud of our reputation as a friendly, supportive employer with a strong history of developing and promoting staff.  We aim to offer positions on qualification and candidates from or with a strong connection to Yorkshire are therefore preferred.

Employment Terms

The training contract for LPC graduates is a 2 year (or part-time equivalent) fixed-term contract of employment.  The SQE apprenticeship is offered as a 27 month fixed-term contract.  Ison Harrison Limited has an excellent record of retaining trainee solicitors and endeavours to offer a new contract of employment on qualification as a solicitor.

The contracted hours of work for a full-time training contract are generally Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm with an hour for lunch (37.5 hours per week).  It is anticipated that trainee solicitors will be flexible when required and will work additional hours as necessary. However we appreciate the need for a life outside work – our offices are usually locked by 8pm!

How to Apply

Our careers page will be updated when positions for training contracts become available.