Graduate Recruitment - FAQs

At Forbes our employees are our most important asset. The success, continued development and growth of the firm can be attributed to our employees.

Together we are Forbes

What do we look for in a trainee?

Forbes wants high calibre recruits who can demonstrate a strong academic track record together with legal work experience. We want individuals who have strong local connections, who are keen team players, friendly and approachable and client and quality focused.

What qualifications will I need?

Academic achievement is only one of the criteria we assess potential trainees on. Therefore, we have no minimum academic requirements.

When should I apply for a Vacation Insight and/or Training Contract?

Generally two years before you wish your training contract to commence.

If you are studying law you should, ideally, consider applying in the penultimate year of your degree (excluding those applying for a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship who should apply in their final year of study), assuming you are not planning to take a gap year at any time after graduating. If you are studying a non-law subject, you should be applying during your final year, again, assuming you are not planning to take a gap year.

What are the closing dates for applications?

30 June - For Vacation Insights Programme (Autumn)
15 June - For Training Contracts and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships

What seats might I experience?

As a trainee solicitor, we can offer you the best of both worlds, with seats in both our city and non-city branches. The firm has dealings with both commercial and private client work and can, therefore, provide a varied and exciting training contract.

Once a training contract commences, each trainee spends six months in four departments from the following:

  1. Criminal Litigation
  2. Family / Divorce
  3. Claimant Litigation
  4. Insurance Litigation
  5. Non-contentious, essentially comprising Commercial Property, Domestic Property, Wills, Trust & Probate, Corporate and Commercial
  6. Employment

The seats indicated are our main ones, however, other areas may be available, including the possibility of client secondment.

Do you offer paralegal opportunities?

Yes, all opportunities are listed on the vacancies section of our website, as well as with various universities and colleges. See our current opportunities here.