Working for a high street or general commercial firm

The main client base of firms of this type will be small to medium sized businesses and private individuals, usually from the local area. Reflecting this client base, the work undertaken will tend to be very diverse, covering all areas of commercial law, property, private client and, occasionally, publicly funded work.

Working environment

This describes the environment in which high street/commercial firms practise, the nature of these firms, and the kind of work they handle.

  • These firms can vary from the long-established 15 partner firm in prestigious town centre offices, to the sole practitioner working above a retail unit. They can be found throughout England and Wales.
  • Clients may be individuals who are using legal aid or funding themselves, or local businesses. Work could typically include residential and commercial conveyancing, individual and business taxation, small ticket share and business sales/purchases, matrimonial, landlord and tenant, personal injury, employment, family, wills and probate, and criminal.
  • Commercial work is an increasing element of many of these firms’ activities. They are recognising the profitability of the fee income it can generate over that from individual clients.
  • Recruitment can take place between two years in advance and six weeks in advance of the start of a training contract. Trainee intake can be between one and three trainees each year.
  • Face to face client contact and court work can be expected from an early stage during training.

Qualifications required

It is very difficult to generalise as this group of firms is so diverse, but you may find:

  • The more long established firms often require 2:1 degrees, A to C at A level
  • Firms doing a lot of commercial work will possibly require a 2:1 plus A to C at A level
  • There are firms who will accept applications from candidates with 2:2s or lower grades (D to E) at A level

Note: A combination of both a lower degree class and lower A level results will considerably reduce your chances of applying successfully

These firms are also looking for a 'personal match' - personal qualities and experience that they believe will enable you to succeed in their kind of practice. Our careers consultants work closely with these firms, and, if you accept a place on our LPC, will be able to advise you in more detail about this. They can also provide advice on CVs, application forms and interview techniques.

Hard facts

  • Many of these firms will expect applicants to have undertaken at least a short period of work experience in a comparable law firm.
  • You may not find advertised vacancies for these training contracts. Many firms select interviewees from among the speculative applications they receive throughout the year.

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