Trainee Solicitor Apprentice Review
at BCLP
Degree Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My day-to-day role includes running my own matters such as leasing matters, wayleaves, rent review memorandums, various licences and much more. I also assist associates on more complex leasing matters, along with disposals, acquisitions and any post completion tasks such as SDLT and lease registrations. I am currently in the disputes team which involves drafting notices and reviewing notices.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have thoroughly enjoyed this programme and continue to do so. It has been a great alternative to the usually university route as the experience aspect has been invaluable and has prepared me for my career in law. I have also enjoyed the networking aspect both internally with other apprentices and with external apprentices.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Since starting my apprenticeship, I have developed my communication skills with colleagues and external people such as clients, the court and colleagues in other offices. I have also learnt the skill of time management as we have to balance our time between work and studying, alongside our social life outside of work.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme at BCLP is very well organised. From the first year of beginning the apprenticeship, we are included in rotations into different seats for the duration of our apprenticeship, in order to gain experience in each area in the Manchester office. There are also many opportunities to visit the London office during your apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive maximum support from my employer. I have monthly catch ups with my apprenticeship manager, and also catch ups with my supervisor in each team that I am in. We are constantly gaining feedback from colleagues on our performance, which is both positive and constructive. This is essential during an apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
I receive ample support from my training provider throughout my apprenticeship. I had regular catch ups with my apprenticeship manager at university quite regularly when I first joined, however they have dwindled down. We receive update emails from the apprenticeship lead, however they can often be quite late/out of date.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel as though the qualification through my training provider helps me perform better in my role as we quite often have skills days, whereby the skills learnt can be applied to my every day role. The topics we study also help as they are part of the Law and Practice degree, which feels very relevant to our day to day work.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in at BCLP. We have a football team that the males are currently running in the office. We have, in the past, had a netball team and cricket team. We also have many after work socials, such as a drinks trolley, summer and Christmas parties and lots of quiz days/nights.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BCLP to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to a friend as the company has been a huge support whilst I have been studying to become a solicitor. Their training programme is well organised and colleagues have been extremely supportive of the apprenticeship scheme. We have a good group of apprentices who all support one another and are great friends.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BCLP?
The tips and/or advice I would give when applying to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is to research the firm extensively, and come with knowledge of our clients and our work. I would reach out to apprentices/paralegals already working at BCLP for any help and advice on applying to the firm.
