Job description

The Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) route is designed to open the legal profession to a wider pool of talent. At [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], our mission is to help historically under-represented aspiring solicitors make the most of the SQE and QWE opportunity. Our aim is to place our trainees in high-calibre legal teams where they can gain valuable Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), while offering the opportunity to access SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses and exams.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] works with innovative and exciting legal teams to make sure trainees are exposed to a wide range of work. Our trainees are placed in renowned companies, including international banks and other financial services organisations, leading manufacturers and retailers, technology and telecoms companies, as well as charities. Trainees are employed by [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] on a fixed-term contract and seconded to an in-house legal team, typically for a minimum period of 12 months or for up to 24 months, to gain QWE.

Our SQE route supports trainees with QWE by offering secondments to our in-house clients. While the goal is for trainees to gain two years of QWE, the specific placement length and experience are subject to client demand and the trainee’s prior qualifications.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] operates two annual cohorts:

• Spring: Includes a Readiness Programme in March, with client secondments beginning in April.
• Autumn: Includes a Readiness Programme in October, with client secondments beginning in November.

For our Autumn 2026 cohort, the Readiness Programme runs from 12th–30th October, with client secondments starting on 2nd November 2026.

What you will receive

As a Flex Trainee you will receive:

• A salary of £32,000 in London or £28,000 elsewhere.
• A Qualifying Work Experience secondment with a top in-house legal team (past clients include: ASOS, Trustpilot, Natwest, The Crown Estate, and Mondelez).
• Access to SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses and your first sitting of each SQE exam.
• A bespoke Readiness Programme.
• Regular 1:1 support and coaching from the Flex Team.
• Introductions to mentors.
• Exclusive access to industry networking events.
• Other benefits include private health care, a cycle-to-work scheme and nursery benefits.

Application process

Please review the full details at https://flex.legal/apply/flex-trainee.

1. Apply via our careers page or partner websites.
2. Complete online assessments.
3. Attend a 1-1 zoom interview.
4. Attend an assessment centre.
5. If successful, become a “Trainee in Waiting”.
6. If offered a secondment, receive a [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] employment contract and start in October 2026.

Applications close at 9am on Tuesday 26th May.

Job requirements

• Location: Must be able to work in Cambridge up to 4 days a week.
• Social Mobility: Must meet social mobility criteria.
• Academic Requirements: UK Qualifying Law Degree with 2.1 or above.
• SQE exam status: Open to candidates at all stages of SQE.
• Right to Work: Must demonstrate right to work in the UK.