FAQs | RPC

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Apprentice

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

Information about how to apply for our September 2025 paralegal apprenticeship programme will be provided in September 2024.

We partner with Multiverse, Just IT and BPP to recruit our business services and claims handling apprentices. Please visit their websites to find out about current apprenticeship opportunities available at RPC.

What happens at an apprenticeship assessment day?

You will be expected to demonstrate your motivations, skills and attributes notably through:

an interview
a group exercise
a written/role play task

You will also be taken on a tour of the firm and have the opportunity to meet some of our team members in an informal setting.
This is a two-way process: the idea is to give you an opportunity to see us and vice versa in order to ascertain whether this is the right position and firm for you.

Where will I be located for the apprenticeship?

Bristol for our paralegal and claims handling apprenticeships. Either Bristol or London for our business services apprenticeships.

What is the benefits package whilst completing the apprenticeship?

Along with an annual salary of £22,000 (London) or £20,000 (Bristol) you'll be offered a competitive and 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. Find out more here.

What support will I receive during the apprenticeship?

Each of our apprentices will be allocated a supervisor who will be their main point of contact for all work-related matters.

To assist with pastoral elements, you will also be assigned a buddy who will help you settle into your role and the firm.

What will happen when I arrive?

The first few weeks will be taken up with our Apprentice New Starter Programme which has been designed to introduce you to RPC. You’ll meet your team, the current apprentices and our Early Talent team.

How much responsibility will I have?

This will be very much up to you! We like to give our apprentices a challenge, but you’ll never be asked to take on more than you are confident with. Your supervisor 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 supervisor. We'll also give you formal reviews on a regular basis 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?

Our apprentices rarely have to work long hours, but from time to time, you may need to stay late and lend a hand if there's a deadline looming.

What's the firm's dress code?

At RPC we dress for our day, using professional judgement to dress appropriately. We embrace hair worn in all styles as well as religious and cultural dress. This may mean dressing in more traditional business wear for a particular event whilst being free to dress more casually for a day which involves internal meetings or meetings with clients who you know are comfortable with a more casual dress code.

For an interview, we expect people to choose more traditional business wear although a suit is not required. If you have any questions about dress and/or hair styles at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Early Talent team.

What does the paralegal apprenticeship (level 4) programme involve?

Through your apprenticeship, you will gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills you need for your immediate job and future career. You will gain this through a wide mix of learning in the workplace, formal off-the-job training and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment.

To satisfy the requirements of the apprenticeship standard, you will need to spend 20% of your time on off-the-job learning which equates to one day each week to study. Working with our chosen provider The University of Law (ULaw) we will incorporate any bespoke aspects of learning that we feel appropriate for training and future success at RPC.

What work will I do in the paralegal apprenticeship (level 4) programme?

You will work on legal administrative tasks in supervised paralegal teams as well as gain experience in business support teams.

Tasks will be varied and include:

File opening, closing and all associated processes
Attending meetings and note taking
Conflict checking
Updating case management systems, managing data and associated records
Producing claims prints and extracting relevant data reports
Carrying out research

How long is the paralegal apprenticeship level 4 programme

The paralegal apprenticeship takes 2 years to complete with the opportunity on successful completion to be considered for the solicitor apprenticeship (level 7 apprenticeship). The solicitor apprenticeship requires approximately 5.5 - 6 more years of study (taking into account exemptions from paralegal apprenticeship), also incorporating a law degree.

What qualification will I receive at the end of the paralegal apprenticeship (level 4) programme?

You will receive a Level 4 paralegal apprenticeship.

How many paralegal apprenticeships (level 4) do you offer?

We offer three apprenticeships every two years. Our next cohort will start in September 2025. Applications for this programme will open in September 2024.

Who is eligible to apply for our paralegal apprenticeship (level 4)?

What are the basic requirements?

Being in year 13 or beyond
The University of Law requires candidates to have 5 GCSEs including Maths & English at grade 4 or above. You will also need A Levels at grade CCC (predicted or obtained) or equivalent qualifications.

* Please note that we will consider the impact of COVID-19 when reviewing all exams and assessments completed in 2020-2022. Please provide us with any relevant details in the mitigating circumstances box on the application form or via Multiverse for our business administration apprenticeships.

More broadly we are looking for individuals with the following qualities:

Hardworking, enthusiastic and motivated
Ready and willing to learn
Confident, with strong written and verbal communication skills
Committed and willing to turn a hand to whatever tasks are needed to meet the team's aims
Keen attention to detail
Organised and efficient
Interested in process and technology
Knowledge and use of Microsoft office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook)