Graduate trainee programme

We recruit around 10–15 trainees each year, with intakes in March and September. During your two-year training contract, you’ll complete four seats across different practice areas. These may include:

• Corporate & commercial
• Dispute resolution
• Real estate
• Employment
• Family
• Private wealth
• Personal injury & medical negligence

This rotation gives you the chance to explore different areas before choosing your specialism on qualification.

From day one you’ll be immersed in real client work, taking on responsibility early and learning alongside experienced lawyers who are committed to mentoring and supporting you.

Vacation Schemes and Assessment days

We offer two routes to securing a Training Contract with us – the vacation scheme and assessment days.  Our Vacation Scheme takes place in June/July each year across several of our offices.

Candidates will spend 4 days working in one of our teams before attending an assessment day in the Southampton office on their final day. If you’re not looking for a vacation scheme, you can apply for a place on one of our separate assessment days.  These will take place in early July at our Guildford and Southampton offices. The assessment day is designed to help us get to know you and for you to understand what we’re about. It typically includes a group exercise, a written task, interviews and a short presentation.

We want you to be at your best on the day, so we’ll give you full guidance in advance.  If you need reasonable adjustments for any element of the day our Emerging Talent team will be able to discuss these with you.

We welcome applications from:

• 2^nd year law undergraduates
• Final-year students, graduates and postgraduates (law or non-law)
• Career-changers with transferable skills
• Candidates from any degree discipline – there are no minimum grade requirements

Legal work experience is not essential. What matters is that you demonstrate commitment to a legal career, commercial awareness and the qualities we value: resilience, empathy and a positive, can-do approach.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from individuals who will require Visa sponsorship either for the Training Contract or for a position post qualification.

SQE and funding

Successful candidates will need to complete SQE1 and 2 before starting their training contract.  If you have already completed the LPC you will complete the PSC during your training contract). We will fully fund the SQE preparation courses and exams with our preferred provider.  Whilst studying you’ll have regular catch ups with our Emerging Talent team to make sure you have all the support you need.

You’ll be given meaningful responsibility, from drafting documents to attending client meetings and negotiations. Our people value collaboration and mentoring, so you’ll always have guidance while building your confidence and skills.

We also support you through:

• Formal training: access to our Learn to Thrive programme, a dedicated training programme focussing on non-legal skills development and continuous feedback
• Mentoring: from colleagues who’ve been through the process
• Career development frameworks: to help you progress beyond qualification

Our culture and benefits

At Moore Barlow we care about your career and your wellbeing in equal measure. We offer:

• A 35-hour working week and hybrid working
• 28 days’ holiday (rising to 30 after five years)
• Private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
• Study sponsorship, mentoring and development programmes
• An active social calendar and wellbeing initiatives

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our committees, including Diversity & Inclusion, CSR, Green and Wellbeing.