Early Careers
Training Contract

Your training contract is the start of your career in law.
The two-year training period gives you hands on experience and a highly personal feel via six-month seats in four of the following practice areas:

- Commercial Disputes & Class Actions
- Corporate
- Employment Law
- Intellectual Property
- Restructuring & Insolvency
- Insurance Disputes
- Private Client
- Property and Property & Trusts Disputes.

Whilst there is inevitably high demand to be seated in some areas, we seek to give you as much scope as possible to shape the direction of your training. In addition to SRA requirements we endeavour to enable all trainees to complete a seat in both our non-contentious practice areas and our Litigation departments.
Training confident solicitors
Edwin Coe is committed to helping trainees develop into competent and confident solicitors. You will be given the opportunity for ‘hands on’ involvement including managing your own files. Throughout your training period, there will be a continuous process of two-way feedback. The firm operates mid-seat and end-seat reviews, with the aim of monitoring your progress and supporting your development over the course of the two years.

If you receive an offer of a training contract, you probably won’t start here for around two years. To ensure you start to feel part of the team and in order for you to get to know your peers, we will be in regular contact with you and invite you to various social events.
Entry Requirements

What we look for in you

Whether you are applying for a Summer Vacation Scheme place or a Training Contract, we are looking for well-rounded individuals with a passion for law, supported by a strong academic record:

 

– Minimum 2:1 degree or grades to date

– Plus ABB at ‘A’Level or equivalent qualifications

 

Candidates that have not achieved the above academic qualifications will still be considered where exceptional circumstances apply.

 

In order to be considered, your application will need to demonstrate your ability to establish professional credibility, build strong working relationships and to work both autonomously and as part of a team. Strong IT, communication and listening skills are a prerequisite for the role of a Trainee Solicitor. Ideally we are looking for candidates who participate in extra-curricular activities and who have already attained some legal work experience.

Application Deadlines

Applications for September 2027 open: TBC

Applications for September 2027 deadline: TBC

CALL TO ACTION

We recruit our trainee solicitors two years in advance of the start of a training contract. If you would like to apply for a training contract at Edwin Coe, please complete and submit the online application form.

Yes, all applications will be reviewed once the deadline has closed.

We recruit 4/5 trainee solicitors each year. The trainee intake is generally in the month of September.

The training contract is made up of four seats, each lasting six months.

We require all trainee solicitors to undertake a seat in both contentious and non-contentious practice areas.

Yes, trainees are given both formal and informal feedback during their training contract. All trainee solicitors have mid-seat and end-seat reviews where we will look at any development needs, and let you know where you have excelled, all with the goal of ensuring that you are progressing well.

Each trainee solicitor shares an office with a partner and/or an associate who will be their supervisor(s).

If you applied for a place on our vacation scheme and you weren’t successful, you can still apply for a training contract. If you applied for a training contract last year and we turned you down (either before or after an interview), we encourage you to think carefully before reapplying.

Of course, we don’t stop second applications as we appreciate that candidates can improve over the course of a year. However, please consider what has changed in the time since your first application that you will be able to demonstrate to us in your application.

For the sake of clarity, we would not expect a third application to be successful since you will have already given it your best shot.

Contact our
Early Careers Team.

Phone: 020 7691 4000
or email: recruitment@edwincoe.com

“
As you’re training, all of the partners and fee earners have an open door policy, welcome questions and are more than happy to take the time to talk you through something. Which, as a learning experience, is fantastic.
Ninad Bhagwat
“
At Edwin Coe you will be part of a smaller trainee intake than other firms. This means that you can get to know your fellow trainees much better and rely on each other for support. I was delighted to be offered a qualification position with Edwin Coe.
Jessica Brittain
“
At Edwin Coe you can be sure to get access to exceptional quality work, together with a high level of responsibility from an early stage. This prepares you well for qualification and ensures you acquire the skills required to be an associate.
Eva Moynihan
“
The firm has established a strong culture of professionalism, mutual respect amongst colleagues and plenty of opportunity for social interaction. For me as a trainee, working in this environment provides a balanced and well-rounded learning experience.
Sophia Bompas
Mary Kenny-Moth
recruitment manager
Nicola Maher
partner
insurance disputes
Nick Phillips
partner
intellectual property
commercial services
Key contacts