2019 applications will open on Monday 12 August

18 trainee solicitor posts are being offered at leading social justice organisations across the UK.

Deadline for applicants is 16 September; trainees will take up their posts in January 2020 (April 2020 for Northern Ireland Training Contracts).

The Legal Education Foundation’s ground-breaking Justice First Fellowship is entering its sixth year, with its biggest-ever solicitor recruitment round.

Trainee solicitor posts are being offered at 18 social justice organisations, across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Host organisations this year include nine law centres, two law firms, and specialist charities and legal advice agencies (see full list, below).

Applicants must have passed the Legal Practice Course (separate requirements for Northern Ireland and Scotland) and have a proven commitment to social justice. Alongside their solicitor training, fellows are expected to set up and run a project aimed at increasing access to justice, which gives invaluable hands-on experience at an early stage in their career. TLEF also provides fellows with additional training in skills such as fundraising, business planning, and communications.

‘The Justice First Fellowship is playing a vital role in creating the next generation of committed and expert social justice lawyers. As we enter the sixth year of the scheme, we are delighted that this is our biggest solicitor recruitment round yet. The calibre of candidates has been consistently high in previous years, and we are looking forward to an equally outstanding intake this year.’

The fellowship scheme was set up in 2014 by TLEF, a grant-giving charity, to create future leaders in social welfare law.

The 2019 application period runs from 12 August to 16 September; candidates must apply via TLEF’s website, and to a single host organisation, only.

2019 host organisations are: Brighton Housing Trust; Castlemilk Law and Money Advice Centre; Clan Childlaw; Community Law Partnership; Greater Manchester Law Centre; Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre; Harrow Law Centre; Howard League for Penal Reform; Just for Kids Law; Law Centre (Northern Ireland); Legal Advice Centre (University House); Matthew Gold & Co; Norfolk Community Law Service; North East Law Centre; Shelter; Southwark Law Centre; Speakeasy Law Centre; Tower Hamlets Law Centre.

The full press release can be found here.