The Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) route to qualify as a solicitor is designed to open the legal profession to a wider pool of talent. It represents a significant opportunity for organisations to support the next generation of lawyers, and improve social mobility and diversity in the profession. Our Flex Trainee programme helps socially mobile and diverse aspiring solicitors to make the most of this opportunity. We place our trainees in legal teams over the two years of their SQE, where they gather valuable qualifying work experience while completing the academic component of their qualification.What is Flex TraineeFlex works with the UK’s most forward-looking legal teams to make sure trainees are exposed to a wide range of work. Our trainees have been 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 Flex Legal for two years and seconded to a client's in-house legal team where they will be exposed to a wide range of legal experiences. Trainees either complete their placement with one organisation for the two years or will be placed across two organisations for a year each. At the end of the two years, and subject to passing the SQE assessments and gaining the necessary QWE, candidates will be able to apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to become a fully qualified solicitor.Progression from Year One to Year Two of the Programme is subject to performance and client demand.What our current Trainees say“This opportunity is making my dreams of qualifying come true and provided me two opportunities: to train in-house which is very rare for junior lawyers, and to build my legal and commercial network. In am so excited that such an opportunity is available to socially mobile students because at times it can feel like your chance will never come”“It feels amazing to have finally achieved my goal of qualifying. It feels surreal and I’m truly thankful! I’m super happy to have achieved such a milestone, it’s made my family proud, and I’m excited to try and help other do the same”The Flex Trainee & Flex Apprentice routes explainedAs part of the Flex Trainee programme, we offer two distinct pathways to qualification: Flex Apprentice and Flex Trainee. Your route will depend on your current qualifications and where you are in your legal journey. You will be asked questions during your application that will help us determine which route is more suitable for you.What you will receiveWith Flex, you will get exposure to a range of experiences in in-house legal teams across a variety of industries. Wherever you go during the programme, your 'home-base' will always be Flex, who will make sure that you're well taken care of. As a Flex Apprentice you will receive: - A salary of £30,000 in London or £25,000 in the regions. - SQE prep courses and exams, fully funded via Barbri. - Flex Apprentice: The SQE1 & 2 preparation course plus your SQE exams. You will also complete a Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship via Damar. - Flex Trainee: The SQE 2 preparation course plus your SQE exams. - A three week Readiness Programme before you start your first placement to allow you to hit the ground running. - An in-house supervisor, who will meet with Flex every month to review your progress. - Regular 1:1s with a Flex development mentor in Y1 and a legal industry mentor in Y2. - Professional development opportunities with Flex through professional and industry networking events. - Access to the Flex Legal SQE Journal, which is Flex’s proprietary tool to easily record Qualifying Work Experience. - Time off during term time to study for the SQE. - A range of personal benefits, including a cycle to work scheme, nursery benefits and private health care (upon successful passing of probation). To apply for the Autumn 2025 Flex Trainee programme, you must meet all of the following criteria: - Social Mobility Eligibility: The Flex Trainee programme is designed to support socially mobile and diverse aspiring solicitors. We assess social mobility in line with the Social Mobility Commission criteria. As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details about your background, particularly your education and social circumstances. - Law-Related Qualifications: You must have completed a UK Qualifying Law Degree from any university. You should have achieved a 2.1 or above (or an equivalent grade) in at least one degree or postgraduate qualification. If mitigating circumstances prevented you from meeting this requirement, you should still apply and explain your situation in your application, as we will take this into account.Meet criteria for either the Flex Trainee or Flex Apprentice route: - Flex Apprentice: You must not be enrolled in or have completed the SQE1 or the LPC - Flex Trainee: You must have passed either the SQE or LPC but must not be enrolled in the SQE2 - If you are currently studying for or awaiting results from these qualifications, contact us to discuss your eligibility (trainee@f-lex.co.uk)Right to Work in the UK: You must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, Flex is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route was designed to open the legal profession up to a much wider and more diverse range of people. It represents a significant opportunity for historically under-represented aspiring solicitors to complete Qualifying Work Experience within in-house legal teams.Our Flex Trainee programme was designed to help aspiring solicitors make the most of this opportunity. We hire individuals from diverse, socioeconomic backgrounds, put them through an intensive 'Readiness Programme', and place them with our fantastic clients for on-the-job Qualifying Work Experience. On top of that, we fund prep courses for their qualifying exams through our partners at Barbri, and for the exams themselves.It's a challenging, but incredible opportunity.
