Join as a trainee and become a solicitor with our SQE Training Contract route to full qualification
Our 2024/25 SQE Training Contract gives you a straightforward route to full qualification and the chance to become a solicitor at White & Black. Our route to full qualification as a solicitor starts here.
The White & Black SQE training contract enables candidates from any undergraduate discipline to work and earn immediately after university. You can gain qualifying legal work experience with us while sitting the SQE1 and SQE2 exams to qualify as a solicitor.
We are, of course, still accepting applications from LPC students, please complete the same application form as for the SQE training contract.
We are now accepting applications for 2024 and 2025 training contracts. If you have any questions regarding training at White & Black, please do get in touch with us at applications@wablegal.com
Applications formally open – Tuesday 3rd October 2023
Applications close – Sunday 7th January 2024
Assessment Days will be held in early February
What you get
- Starting salary of £23k rising to £26k after SQE1 and £30k after SQE2*
- Immediate training positions for exceptional candidates = qualify quicker
- Fast track your legal career at a Chambers top tier ranked firm*
- Flexible application/start dates with entry from any degree (not just law)
- City quality work in Oxford alongside specialist leading lawyers**
- Financial support for your SQE exams***up to £4k and paid study leave
- Fantastic international client base – Kodak, MATCHESFASHION.COM & Virgin Active
- Direct mentoring with senior partners and client contact from the start
What we need from you
- Demonstrate a strong intellect & have excellent written and communication skills
- Working towards 2:1 + in any degree discipline (unless mitigating circumstances apply)
- Show an ability to act innovatively, think independently and work collaboratively
- Have commercial savvy – to be ambitious and self-motivated
- Want to become part of a team that is centred on excellence & collaboration
- Desire to become a complete specialist not a ‘jack-of-all-trades’
- An appetite to become a leading expert in Corporate, technology or IP
- Have a broad range of life experience or interests
Our approach to the SQE
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) offers us a unique opportunity to craft a training contract experience that is fast, thorough and fair.
We encourage applications from both law and non-law students. We offer two years of qualifying work experience (QWE) which start once you pass your SQE 1. You can take the fast-track route to studying SQE1/2, work part-time or study full-time as suits you.
We believe that the best way to learn is through involvement in the business from the start – you can complete the SQE 1 while working at W&B as a paralegal and begin your QWE after your SQE 1.
Our training is designed to rapidly accelerate your legal career, putting you on the path to becoming a specialist from day one. That’s why in most cases, we require Trainees to carry out two years of Qualifying Work Experience at White & Black.
Our Routes to Qualification
Track 1
Complete your SQE 1 & 2 while working with us and begin your period of QWE after passing your SQE 1.
Track 2
Join us after completing your SQE 1 and begin your period of QWE while studying for your SQE 2.
Track 3
Complete your SQE 1 & 2 before you start your two-year full-time period of QWE with us.
Meet our past trainees
Hear more about life as a Trainee at WAB from Ella Paskett.
Check out our Top Training Contract Tips for Applicants
Be sure to follow us across social media to keep up to date with the Firm and training contract information.
Our Associates and current Trainees are always willing to answer your questions. We actively encourage you to reach out and find out more. See our Key People.
Benefits in the heart of Oxford
White & Black is far from your traditional law firm. We extend our unique approach to our future lawyers which is why we are early adopters of the new SQE path to qualification. Our HQ is in Oxford (voted the No. 1 city in the UK for success and wellbeing) established 15 years ago, we have worked hard to create a new way of working within the law & to establish an excellent client following and strong team of specialists.
Located meters away from fantastic restaurants, historic pubs and chic bars with a flourishing arts scene and a huge variety of theatres, gig venues and museums, Oxford is a great place to be. Benefits include:
- Corporate Gym Membership (gym of your choosing up to value of £50)
- Health insurance package and accompanying ‘rewards’ scheme
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Monthly team socials including film premiers, pizza Friday’s and cocktail evenings
- 28 days paid leave per year, 2 paid cultural leave days per year and a Pension scheme
Green Working
At White & Black, not only do we care deeply about ensuring ethical working practices and diversity in our workplace, but we are committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible working. Our beautiful Grade II listed office building contains heat pump technology, EV charging stations and an office garden along with locally sourced produce provided in the office kitchen, all helping ensure our ongoing commitment to green working. We are just a 10-minute walk from Oxford train station.
Diversity Commitment & Equal Opportunities
White & Black is a signatory to The Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter. Background, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age are all irrelevant to our application process.
White & Black is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins) religion, caste or belief, age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnerships, surrogacy, adoption and parental rights. This includes any incidents of perceptive or associate discrimination and harassment.
Candidate Privacy Notice
White & Black Limited is a “data controller”. This means we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information when you apply to work with us. Our Candidate Privacy Notice tells you how and why we use your personal data as well as your data protection rights.
* Salary will be pro-rata if you are working part-time.
** We are top ranked as a leading firm with leading individuals in both the Chambers Guide & Legal 500 directories and have been ranked within The Times Top 200 law firms.
*** White and Black will agree to cover the costs of the SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams. We do not currently cover the costs of the SQE 1 or SQE 2 exam preparation courses.