Qualify as a Lawyer at Barcan+Kirby

At Barcan+Kirby, we understand that choosing where to undertake your training as a solicitor or lawyer is a huge decision. That’s why it’s so important that you consider your options and think carefully about the type of firm you want to train with, alongside the areas of law that interest you the most.

We continue to navigate the new routes to qualification in line with our continued commitment to ‘grow our own’ talent. For now, we are pausing our traditional Trainee Solicitor Programme whilst we expand our Staff Development Programme as we endeavour to provide greater flexibility and more options for budding lawyers.

We encourage anyone interested in starting their career in law and/or qualifying with Barcan+Kirby to apply for our vacancies. No matter where you are in your studies, you will have access to our staff development initiatives in line with your personal development goals.

Once you join us, you will work towards Paralegal level (if you aren’t joining as one) where you will gain invaluable hands-on experience in a supportive and happy environment and get involved with marketing and business development activities. To further qualify, you will be encouraged to develop your skills through our Staff Development Programme in order to progress on your route to qualification.

We also periodically advertise Solicitor and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship opportunities, so keep an eye on our vacancies page.

Routes to qualification at Barcan+Kirby

If you have just completed your A Levels (or equivalent), graduated with a Law degree or you have finished your studies and want to start a career in law, we have plenty to offer via our Staff Development Programme.

Our routes to qualification as a solicitor or lawyer include:

Paralegal Apprenticeship

Our 18-month programme is for staff moving into a Paralegal role. This is available to anyone who doesn’t hold a university qualification but is working or about to work as a Paralegal. The apprenticeship requires five GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or equivalent) including English and Maths or a level 2.

Bridging qualification between Paralegal Apprenticeships and the CPQ Foundation stage

This is a six to 12-month programme for staff who have completed the Paralegal Apprenticeship and wish to forward their studies towards qualification as a CILEx lawyer.

CPQ Apprenticeship

The CPQ Apprenticeship is a comprehensive programme that facilitates qualifying as a CILEx lawyer as follows:

CPQ Foundation (approximately 12-24 months): suitable for school leavers and those new to law. This incorporates five compulsory modules plus ethics and professional responsibility, six assessments, a Professional Experience Portfolio and professional experience.
CPQ Advanced (approximately 12-24 months): suitable for a Law graduate or CILEx Paralegal (applicants must have passed the CILEx Apprenticeship and the ‘Bridging Package’ which consists of one to two additional study units). This incorporates four compulsory modules and one elected option plus Ethics and Professional Responsibility, six assessments, a Professional Experience Portfolio and professional experience.
CPQ Professional (approximately 12-18 months): suitable for a Paralegal or Senior Paralegal with Trainee CILEx Lawyer status (having passed CPQ Advanced), a Law degree plus LPC, or non-law degree with GDL and LPC or BPC or equivalent.

Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship

This is a 27-month programme for Law graduates within the last three years or otherwise a 33-month programme for graduates (without the LPC or SQE).

Find out more about our Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship here.

Solicitor Apprenticeships

Our six-and-a-half-year programme is for staff with the required qualifications: three A-Levels at grade C or above (or the equivalent) and five GCSEs (including Maths and English at grade 4+, or the equivalent).

SQE qualifying work experience

To be eligible for the SQE work experience, you will have or be working towards passing SQE 1 and 2.

Barcan+Kirby will sign off qualifying work experience carried out with us in accordance with the SRA’s requirements following a successful application to join the Staff Development Programme.

Blog | Barcan+Kirby celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

Why choose Barcan+Kirby?

In line with our aim to nurture and ‘grow our own’ talent, we are looking for who will fit with the culture and values of our firm, and who will strive to develop via one of our routes to qualification and remain with us long term.

You’ll be actively encouraged to participate in marketing and business development activities, and we provide structured training and development opportunities, such as our development workshops, Training Academy, Associates Academy, Mentoring Programme and Staff Development Programme. You’ll also have the chance to get involved in activities outside of your day job, such as fundraising for our designated charity or joining one of our committees.

Achieving a healthy work-life balance is important. At Barcan+Kirby, we can offer you a variety of routes to qualification plus exposure to all elements of the business within standard firm hours.

We’re committed to making Barcan+Kirby a positive and inclusive place to work.

What can Barcan+Kirby offer me?

When you join us, we can offer you hands-on legal experience, as well as an inclusive and supportive environment where you can really thrive.

We also offer a range of benefits, including:

A minimum of 25 days’ holiday per year
Holiday purchase scheme
Employer pension contribution of 4.5%
Discretionary bonuses
Access to a 24/7 GP, counselling, second medical opinions and treatment sourcing through our Employee Assistance Programme
Discounted legal services
Flexible/agile working
Health cash plan
Summer and Christmas socials
Access to the firm’s bespoke Training Programmes

Hear from those who have qualified or who are working towards qualification with us

Want to know a bit more about what it’s like to qualify with us? Read some of our staff stories for an insight into life on the Staff Development Programme at Barcan+Kirby.

What are we looking for in our future lawyers?

At Barcan+Kirby, those working towards qualification are an important part of our future. We look for qualities of intelligence, lateral and objective thinking, resilience, and the ability to get things done and to get on with people.

Work and life experience are also important. Generally, we will look for people who will get involved, fit with our values, have a strong work ethic and have excellent teamwork abilities.

Many of our qualified lawyers have also had some months or years of paralegal experience behind them so they can hit the ground running, but this is not essential.

To join our Staff Development Programme and qualify as a lawyer, we do not require you to have a rigid set of qualifications. We are flexible and can support your career in law at any stage.

If you are interested in the Solicitor or Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships, or if you are working towards CPQ Professional, it’s worth checking out our Summer Vacation Programme.

How can I apply to the Staff Development Programme?

Each year, the firm offers a number of Paralegals and Senior Paralegals the opportunity to qualify as a lawyer via our Staff Development Programme.

We recommend that you apply for one of our Paralegal positions, get to know us and find out more about how you can qualify at Barcan+Kirby.

What can I expect during my law training?

Paralegals are supported and supervised by experienced lawyers throughout their contracts, many of whom are leading practitioners in their field.

Paralegals are given an advanced level of responsibility, undertaking real work for clients from the outset. We consider our Paralegals to be integral members of our teams.

The timing of the Staff Development Programme will vary depending on the qualifications you have and your preferred route, but you will have immediate, direct exposure to a range of live cases throughout your contract. It will allow budding lawyers to gain invaluable experience.

In addition, Paralegals are provided with the opportunity to join the firm-wide mentoring programme to assist with the development of more defined skills such as networking or presentation skills.

Paralegals due to qualify within two years will have an opportunity to attend development workshops every quarter.

These provide opportunities to:

Build relationships with the management team, the partnership and your training colleagues
Gain firm-wide exposure beyond the programme
Learn business skills
Receive internal training from our central teams, including Marketing and Business Development, Finance and Compliance

The workshop timetable will incorporate the following:

Year one

The importance of time recording with hints and tips
Research, presenting research and drafting skills
Financial management
Compliance
Time management

Year two

Business development, networking and LinkedIn
What to expect when you qualify
Challenging clients
Key skills

Will there be a qualified role available at the end of the training?

We aim to offer all those qualifying via the Staff Development Programme a qualified role.

Further information

Not found the answer to your question? Call us on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.

To find out more about what life at Barcan+Kirby is really like, watch our short video.