Trainee Solicitor

Job Description

The Environment Agency operates at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives. We work closely with a wide range of partners to make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife, reduce the risk of flooding, protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply environmental standards within which industry can operate.

This is an exciting opportunity to fulfil your potential and develop the legal skills, knowledge and professional experience required to qualify as a solicitor. As a Trainee Solicitor, you will work in a stimulating and rewarding environment, gaining experience across a range of legal disciplines while contributing to the Environment Agency’s mission to protect and enhance the environment.

• assist with the delivery of legal advice, litigation and prosecution work within each training seat, ensuring work is completed accurately, professionally and in a timely manner;
• manage a varied and challenging caseload appropriate to your level of experience, taking responsibility for progressing matters under supervision and seeking guidance where required;
• develop and apply your legal knowledge and professional judgement through practical experience, training and continuous learning; and
• build and maintain effective working relationships with legal colleagues, internal clients and external stakeholders, helping to identify issues, understand business needs and provide responsive and effective legal support.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Our lawyers work hybridly from one of seven legal hubs at Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Leeds, Peterborough, Reading or Warrington. You will be based at your closest legal hub but will need to travel to other offices according to the location of each training contract seat, as part of gaining the best training and experience.

You can expect to be working in the office (or on-site, in court, etc) two or three days per week.

This role is open to applicants who have passed both stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1 and
2) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC), or who expect to pass their LPC or SQE 1 and 2 by November 2026.

No Previous Legal Employment Or Work Experience Is Required.

This role is open to applicants who have passed both stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1 and
2) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC), or who expect to pass their LPC or SQE 1 and 2 by November 2026.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment.

If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

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