Training in England & Wales

As part of our commitment to creating a more inclusive and representative firm, we’ve used national data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey, GOV.UK Ethnicity Facts and Figures and Refugee Integration Outcomes Research, alongside insights from the legal sector and our own employees, to understand where barriers to progression continue to exist.

These insights help us focus our support where it can make the greatest difference.

As a result, Achieve is open to students who identify as one of the following groups:

• Pakistani
• Bangladeshi
• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black British / Black Welsh / Black Scottish / Black Irish/ Black NI
• Roma, Gypsy or Irish Traveller
• Individuals with refugee status

If Achieve isn’t the right programme for you, we offer a range of other early careers opportunities that are open to all students. We’d encourage you to explore our programmes and find the pathway that’s right for you. And if you have any questions, our Early Careers team would be delighted to help.

• Achieve Vacation Scheme, applications open early October and close on Friday 18 December 2026.
• Aspire Vacation Scheme, applications open early October and close on Friday 18 December 2026.
• Direct Training Contract Application, applications open on Monday 2 November 2026 and close on Monday 1 March 2027.

Take the time to submit the best application you can. Be authentically you and use your application to help us understand what makes you unique. Read our application guidance here.

We welcome you to make one application (either a vacation scheme OR training contract) per each application window.

Our vacation scheme is a great way to experience Foot Anstey and find out more about the work you could be doing here. At the end of each vacation scheme, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an assessment day for a training contract. If you already have plenty of work experience and would prefer to apply directly for a training contract, feel free to do so.

No. While a vacation scheme can be a great way to gain insight into a firm, it’s not a requirement. We know not everyone can complete one, so we assess all candidates fairly based on their potential, motivation and strengths.

Our application process is designed to identify individuals who have the key qualities to succeed and thrive. For further information and the different application stages, find out more here. 

Vacation schemes are typically run in our Bristol office.

If you are successful in obtaining a training contract, during your onboarding process we will ask you to select a base office between Bristol, Exeter or Southampton. Our trainees work across all three locations (and occasionally others) depending on the location of their seat. We don’t require individuals to relocate for each of their seats but provide support for trainees to spend a reasonable amount of time in the relevant office with their supervisor.

Our retention rate fluctuates on a yearly basis, however we consistently have had high levels of retention and would love everyone who starts with us to enjoy a career with Foot Anstey.

Yes. We understand that circumstances outside your control can sometimes affect your academic performance or wider achievements. There is a section on the application form where you can tell us about any mitigating circumstances and the impact they have had. This helps us put your achievements into context and ensure we take a fair and balanced approach when reviewing your application.

Yes. As a firm we recruit contextually considering factors such as the school or college a candidate has attended, and the average grades achieved in that year. Every application is personally reviewed by a member of the team; in the spirit of being refreshingly human, your academics would not be the sole factor in our decision.

For all future intakes, we will be supporting all our trainees through the SQE route.

If you’ve already completed the LPC, we’ll consider your individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis and let you know whether SQE2 is required. We’ll be happy to discuss this with you during the recruitment process and answer any questions that you may have.

This fluctuates from year to year, however typically we recruit 12-15 per year.

We have a few routes to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, there is our training contract, the Legal Apprenticeship and our Advance programme which supports existing paralegals through the SQE. To find out more about paralegal opportunities, please take a look on our legal careers page.

Our intention is that trainees will stay with us on qualification; however, this isn’t always possible based on the individual teams that trainees want to qualify into and the available qualified positions in those teams. In this instance, trainees will be encouraged to explore other opportunities available within the firm.

Yes. We use a system which asks trainees to rank each seat in order of their personal preference. The system allocates seats based on those preferences and the number of seats available within each team. This  ensures a fair and consistent result is achieved.

Yes. The firm will provide a maintenance grant of XXX, in addition to funding the PGDL (as required) and SQE, for those who haven’t already completed the course/exams.

Yes. The firm covers the cost of the exams in addition to the cost of the preparation course.

Yes. The Early Careers team will be able to discuss the options for study, including studying on a part time basis or online, pending your individual circumstances.

We value the responsible use of AI in business and in everyday life. We also embrace innovation and value authenticity. Your application form provides you with the opportunity to shine. Whilst we recognise that you may wish to refer to AI tools to help with idea generation, we’d recommend that you do not simply copy and paste AI-generated responses.

Internal applicants are encouraged to apply for our vacation schemes or the direct training contract. We are committed to a fair and consistent recruitment process, which is why internal and external applicants are assessed through the same process and criteria.

For our vacation schemes, you’ll need to have the appropriate right to work in the UK for the duration of the one-week programme.

For training contracts, we may be able to sponsor a visa, subject to eligibility. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the relevant visa requirements, including being eligible for the new entrant salary rate after your SQE studies, from your training contract start date until the completion of the two-year programme.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we would encourage you to contact our Early Careers team, who will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.