Trainee Solicitor - 36351

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

The Team

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.

Experience / Skills 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.

No Previous Legal Employment Or Work Experience Is Required.

Role Specific License Requirements

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.

Length of contract

Up to 2 years

Competence 1 – Achieves Results

Tell us about a recent situation where the result you achieved, or the way you that you achieved the result, was better than on a previous occasion.

Competence 2 – Focuses on Customers and Partners

A customer wants to do something that you disagree with, but which isn’t illegal.

• What experience do you have of a similar situation?
• How you would respond, based on that experience?

Competence 3 – Legislative Knowledge

• Tell us about a time when you had to follow a policy, procedure, or piece of legislation as part of your work, studies, or extracurricular activities.
• How did you ensure that you understood what you needed to do to apply it correctly?

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

For further information, please contact Henry Sackville Hamilton ( ).

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