We believe the best lawyers are those who are genuinely passionate about the sectors they work in. That's why our unique training contract allows you to tailor your experience and develop your expertise within the areas that interest you most.
Over the course of your two-year training contract, you'll complete four six-month seats, gaining hands on experience across at least three different teams while developing the skills and confidence needed to succeed as a solicitor.
From the outset, your seats will be aligned to one of our three specialist business groups:
This approach gives you the opportunity to build sector-specific knowledge, work with market-leading experts and gain meaningful, real-world experience throughout your training.
Training contracts are available across our offices in Liverpool, Manchester, London, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham, providing opportunities to develop your career in a location that suits you.
Applications will reopen in October 2026 for insight day opportunities commencing in summer 2027 and and training contracts commencing in September 2029.
As part of your application, you'll be asked to express an interest in a particular seat in one of our three business groups: business services, health or marine.
This will determine the business group you're allocated to and shape the teams and practice areas available to you during your training contract, so we encourage you to think about the sectors, clients and type of work that interests you most.
We aren't looking for candidates who have their entire career mapped out. Instead, we're looking for people who have taken the time to understand our business and can explain why a particular area aligns with their interests, skills and career aspirations.
To help you decide, we would recommend exploring the work each business group undertakes, the clients they support and the opportunities available within them. Attending one of our open evenings is also a great way to hear directly from different areas to ask questions to help inform your decision.
The most important thing is to select the business group that genuinely interest you and best reflects the career you want to build. The strongest applications are those that demonstrate real curiosity and enthusiasm for the clients, sectors and work within that group.
Business services | Health | Marine |
|---|---|---|
| Work with a diverse range of commercial clients, from start-ups to multinational organisations | Support organisations operating across the healthcare sector, including NHS bodies, private and independent healthcare providers and medical professionals | Advise clients involved in the international maritime, transport, trade and logistics sectors |
| Typical practice areas may include Corporate, Commercial, Employment, Banking and Dispute Resolution | Typical practice areas may include Clinical Negligence, Healthcare Advisory, Employment, Real Estate and Commercial Health work | Typical practice areas may include Shipping, Marine Casualty, Cargo, Trade, Yachts, and Commercial Disputes |
| Ideal for those interested in business, commerce and helping organisations achieve their strategic objectives | Ideal for those interested in healthcare, public services and making a positive impact within a vital sector | Ideal for those interested in international business, global trade and the maritime industry |
| Broad sector exposure across a variety of industries and legal disciplines | Exposure to one of the UK’s most important and evolving sectors | Opportunity to work on complex cross-border matters and international client relationships |
Business services | Health | Marine |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Manchester London Leeds Birmingham Newcastle* | London Leeds Newcastle* | London Newcastle* |
*Please note that our Newcastle training contract currently offers the opportunity to experience all three business groups.
Banking
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Commercial, TMT and IP
Construction and Engineering
Corporate
Education & Ecclesiastical
Employment
Family
Pensions
Private Client
Real Estate
Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Litigation
Regulatory
Restructuring
Tax and Financial Services
Employment NHS
Health Litigation
Health Real Estate
Healthcare and Public Law
Healthcare Commercial
Cargo & Logistics
Commodities
Personal Injury and Regulatory
Shipping
Yachts
Throughout your training contract, you will be supported to develop every step of the way. During each six-month seat, you’ll meet twice with our dedicated trainee committee, made up of partners, legal directors and senior associates from across our business groups.
The committee plays an active role in your development, helping you reflect on your progress, identify opportunities for growth and make the most of your training contract. Whether you need guidance, feedback or general advice, you'll have a network of experienced colleagues invested in your growth.
Your development also extends beyond the work you do in your seats. Alongside your practical legal training, you'll take part in our bespoke Trainee Development Programme, designed to support your professional, personal and commercial growth. Delivered every two months, these interactive sessions will help you:
Just as importantly, you'll become part of a supportive a collaborative trainee community. Reflected by our A* rankings in peer support and partner approachability from Legal Cheek, our trainees benefit from a culture where colleagues are approachable, invested in their development and always willing to share advice and guidance.
At Hill Dickinson, you'll play an active role in shaping not only your own career, but also the wider life of the firm. Alongside your day-to-day work, you'll have opportunities to get invited in initiatives that matter to you, whether that's supporting our corporate responsibility programmes, joining one of our diversity and inclusion networking groups, or representing the firm at careers fairs.
We know that performing at your best starts with feeling supported both inside and outside of work. That's why we offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security and work-life balance. From a well-deserved day off on your birthday to a range of other competitive perks, we regularly review our benefits to ensure they meet the needs of our people.
We also offer a competitive trainee salary:
As you approach qualification, we'll support you through the transition from trainee to solicitor. You can benefit from dedicated qualification leave, giving you time to recharge, reflect on your achievements and prepare for the exciting next chapter of your career.
As part of our training contract recruitment process, we’ll invite shortlisted candidates to attend an insight day in the UK office they have applied to. While attendance is optional, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity.
The insight day is designed to go beyond the application process and is a valuable opportunity for us to understand your interests, motivations and career aspirations, and for you to experience what it’s really like to build your career at Hill Dickinson. Throughout the day, you’ll gain valuable insight into your chosen business group, meet the people you could potentially work alongside and develop a deeper understanding of our clients, sector and culture.
During the insight day, you’ll:
Most importantly, you'll have the chance to experience our culture for yourself. We pride ourselves on being a collaborative, supportive and approachable firm and our insight days are designed to help you decide whether Hill Dickinson is the right place for you to start your legal career.
Candidates who are shortlisted for a training contract will be invited to attend an insight day before progressing to the final stage of the recruitment process.
By the end of the day, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of who we are, what we do and what life as a Hill Dickinson trainee is really like.
We're proud to partner with BARBRI to support out future trainees through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Our SQE programme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in your assessment and prepare for life as a trainee solicitor at Hill Dickinson.
The programme
Before starting your training contract, you’ll complete both SQE 1 and SQE 2 through BARBRI’s market-leading preparation programme.
The course is primarily delivered online, providing flexibility and convenience, while also including face-to-face learning sessions with your fellow future trainees at Hill Dickinson offices. This gives you the opportunity to begin developing your professional network before joining the firm.
Once you've successfully completed SQE1 and SQE2, you'll undertake BARBRI's Prep for Practice programme, helping you develop the practical skills and professional confidence needed before starting your training contract.
Support
We know that studying for the SQE is a significant commitment, that’s why we’ll cover:
Your route to qualification
Your qualification pathway will depend on your previous studies and experience.
If you haven't yet started the SQE
If you've already completed part of the SQE
If you've completed, or are currently studying, the LPC
July 2027
Offered training contract
July 2028
Complete 'Foundations in Law', if didn't study law at undergraduate
August - December 2028
Complete SQE 1 20-week preparation course
January 2029
Sit SQE 1
February - March 2029
Complete SQE 2 10-week preparation course
April 2029
Sit SQE 2
May - August 2029
Complete 'Preparation for Practice' course
September 2029
Start training contract
