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Bristol training contract

We have three training contract opportunities per intake in our growing Bristol office. If you’re a creative thinker who wants a career that values personality as much as professionalism, we want to hear from you.

As a trainee, we believe you’ll deliver your best if you’re free to be you. And that means being able to ask questions openly, being supported to develop your strengths, and having the right opportunities to grow.

Our physical offices are non-hierarchical and open plan. This means from day one you’ll be sitting close to a partner.  In our virtual office, we use video call technology to ensure support is available and to maintain our non-hierarchical culture. Whether you’re handling complex insurance claims, resolving large-scale global disputes, or providing commercial advice and transactional support, your opinions will be listened to and respected.

We believe personal growth comes from being challenged. You’ll be given real responsibility throughout your time with us, but you’ll never be left to fend for yourself. You’ll have award-winning training and a supportive network of people around to help you.

We also believe you’ll grow if you’re free to explore. At least six months will be spent in four different areas of our Insurance practice, so you can discover where you fit in the best. You may have an opportunity to be seconded to one of our clients as an in-house lawyer. In addition, you may get an opportunity to spend six months of your contract seconded to our Singapore office.

We know you might have lots of questions for us, so we asked our partners to answer some of the toughest...

The application process

We run a blind recruitment process at RPC. 

Recruitment for Bristol training contracts usually takes place in April. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited to one of our assessment days during which we’ll get to know each other.

There are a variety of exercises designed to help us see if you’re the right fit for RPC and, while they might be hard work, they’re also a lot of fun. You’ll meet some of our partners, lawyers and trainees and get a real feel for our unique culture. Our assessment days can be run virtually.

If you're successful following the assessment day, your training contract will start two years later.

 

Selection process RPC graduate recruitment 2019

Who can apply?

The recruitment process is very important to us. We only recruit trainees who share our values in order to help grow our unique firm.

Although proven academic ability is important (we require a 2.1 degree or above, not necessarily in law) we value personality, energy, creative thinking, business sense, loyalty and diversity just as highly.

* Please note that we will consider the impact of COVID-19 when reviewing all exams and assessments completed in 2020 and 2021.  Please provide us with any relevant details in the mitigating circumstances box on the application form.

When should I apply?

  • Our 2023 Bristol training contract deadline is 14 March 2021
  • Law students should apply in their penultimate year. Non-law students should apply in their final year
  • Graduates can apply at any time

Apply now

Still got questions?

If we haven't covered it below then please get in contact with the recruitment team on 020 3060 6000 or by emailing us at strikinglyreal@rpc.co.uk.

FAQs

Where will I study the LPC?

We ask all of our trainees to study at The University of Law. A core part of our business is focused on corporate, commercial and insurance matters so it's essential that in-depth, practical and relevant learning is included in the LPC curriculum for our trainees. Future trainees are asked to study commercial and insurance focused electives. Please speak to the trainee recruitment team if you want further details.

What is the benefits package?

Our competitive annual salary starts at £35,000 and rises to £36,000 in your second year. Your salary post-qualification will be £48,000. Along with this, you’ll be offered a creative full package of benefits.
 
We’re all unique. And that’s why RPC’s benefits package is too. We respect we’re all real people with passions, families and lives away from our desks. So we offer you the chance to tailor your benefits, offering choice and flexibility to everyone who works here. 
 
Our benefits package covers almost everything, from wellness festivals and social events, to extra annual leave, and family and wealth-related rewards.

What will happen when I arrive?

The first few weeks will be taken up with our Trainee New Starter Programme which has been designed to introduce you to RPC. You’ll meet the partners, the current trainees and our trainee development team. You'll also complete the core modules of the Professional Skills Course.

How much responsibility will I have?

This will be very much up to you! You won’t be left to make cups of tea but, depending on your ability, you’ll be given real responsibility from day one. We like to give our trainees a challenge, but you’ll never be asked to take on more than you’re confident with. Your supervisors (and yes, you'll have two for each seat) will decide exactly how much you should take on at each stage of your training.

How will I know how I’m progressing?

We’re proud of our open and honest culture. So you’ll have regular, informal feedback from your supervisors. We'll also give you formal reviews every three months which will provide you, and us, with an opportunity to assess how you’re getting on and areas where we can help you progress further.

Will I have to work long hours?

We don’t expect anyone to work long hours for the sake of it. But, when there’s a lot of work to be done and deadlines are looming, we’ll naturally want everybody to put in the hours and pull together.

Do you do any international work?

Yes, 30% of our work is international in nature. We have offices in London, Bristol, Hong Kong and Singapore and are founding members of the TerraLex network of law firms which gives us ready access to lawyers in over 100 jurisdictions. We also have international secondment opportunities to Hong Kong and Singapore.

What is the firm's dress code?

You’ll need to wear professional business attire, but of course you'll be welcome to add your own personal touch.

Information about the SRA Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The SRA are introducing a new, independent centralised assessment for all would-be solicitors in Autumn 2021; the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).  

RPC will continue to keep candidates and our future trainees updated with any developments from the SRA on the SQE and what it might be mean for our early talent offering.  We remain committed to providing first-rate training and support from the moment you receive a training contract offer from us.  

If you would like to find out more about the SQE please visit the SRA's website.

Please speak to a member of the early talent team strikinglyreal@rpc.co.uk if you have any questions.