Trainee Solicitor/Solicitor Apprentice

Job Description

Salary: £33,531 - £38,052 per annum Grade D Fixed Term Contract 37 Hours per Week

This Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship is available depending on the qualifications held by the successful candidate:

• Short form apprenticeship – 18 months – appropriate for those who have 6 months work experience in Legal Services (either in-house or in private practice) and hold a law degree/ GDL/ or other relevant legal qualification such as CILEX L16 or as a Licensed Conveyancer.
• Longer form apprenticeship – 35 months – appropriate for those who have a non-law degree or who have successfully completed a paralegal apprenticeship or similar qualification, or have relevant work experience.

To provide legal support and carry out legal casework within the Legal Services team across the following teams:

- Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding and Education
- Commercial Law (including, Property, Planning and Contracts)
- Criminal and Civil Litigation
- Major projects and Governance

Key service accountabilities:

• To support the Head of Legal Services, Principal Lawyers, and Lawyers in advising and assisting the client departments of Thurrock Council.
• To conduct casework, subject to supervision.
• To take instructions from clients and prepare case plans.
• To undertake advocacy on behalf of Thurrock Council in accordance with appropriate rights of audience.
• To draft legal documentation including Court applications, Witness Statements, Briefs to Counsel and Statements of Case.
• To liaise with the courts, counsel, and parties to proceedings via telephone, correspondence, and in person where relevant.
• To represent Thurrock Council at meetings, conferences with Counsel and to attend court with Counsel in appropriate circumstances
• Office attendance is required two days per week. Additional day/s will be expected if the opportunity arises for advocacy/relevant experience (court attendance, etc) which will benefit your placement
• Through research, to maintain and disseminate a constant awareness of good practice and new legislation /case law in the relevant areas of specialism within the Legal and Governance Directorate, for the benefit of colleagues and clients.
• To develop and maintain experience and expertise of the law and local government law and practice.
• To undertake the attendance and study required under the solicitor apprenticeship scheme.
• Plan and prioritise allocated work efficiently.
• To develop strong influencing and negotiating skills with the ability to maintain effective, credible relationships.
• To work flexibly and collaboratively across the wider Directorate, as required.
• Ensure effective operational use of all Directorate resources by regularly reviewing working methods, systems, and equipment.
• To act in accordance with and promote the Nolan Principles in the council.
• To be flexible with regards to working hours to ensure that Directorate needs, and client requirements are met.

This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive, it is issued as a framework to outline the main areas of responsibility at the time of writing. The job holder will carry out such other tasks as may reasonably be required.

Advert Closing Date

Redeployment Only: 11th September 2025

Applications: Sunday 21st September 2025

Interview Date: Tuesday 30th September 2025

For an informal discussion about these positions please contact Lyra-Mai Mayari, Head of Legal Services, on lyramai.mayari@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

“If you encounter an error message when opening the Job Profile link please refresh the error page”

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council