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- Tasks: Experience four areas of law with hands-on training and client involvement.
- Company: Join Ashfords, a full-service law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Early responsibility, regular feedback, and social activities to enhance your experience.
- Why this job: Develop your skills alongside experienced lawyers and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Curious, ambitious individuals with excellent communication skills are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: 100% trainee retention rate shows our commitment to your career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
What you’ll be doing – you will experience four areas of law during your training contract, spending six months in each seat. You can choose to apply for a Bristol or a South West-based training contract. Our South West trainees will have the opportunity to work across our Exeter and Plymouth offices. We also offer flexibility for trainees to complete a seat in another office if the opportunity arises, including London.
As an Ashfords Trainee, you will be immersed in the life of a full-service law firm. We offer hands-on experience, early responsibility and client involvement. You can expect to be working alongside experienced lawyers and partners, who are leaders in their field, on a daily basis, to develop your technical skills and broaden your commercial awareness. To make sure that everything is on track, you will have regular review meetings with your supervisor to monitor your development.
Our trainees also play an integral role in wider firm initiatives, such as assisting with business development and marketing events, which provide exposure to our diverse client base. There is far more to life at Ashfords than just the day job – you will have the chance to get involved in various social activities ranging from the annual ball, to sports clubs and fundraising events. Our trainees know that if there is not already a club or activity available, all they need to do is take the initiative to create one! Ashfords’ trainees continue to run the XYBC (Exeter Young Business Club) to encourage inter-profession social and networking activities across the local young professional community.
Who you are
There is no magic recipe for the perfect Trainee. However, at Ashfords, there are characteristics that we value. We are looking for individuals who are curious, ambitious and willing to put forward innovative ideas. We need excellent communicators who are adaptable and ready to accept the variety of challenges that a career in law can throw at you. We expect our trainees to get stuck in and integrate with each team they are a member of, so an open mind and personable, can-do attitude is essential! We want our Trainees to be our Partners of the future, which is why we’re recruiting to retain. Our commitment to this is demonstrated by our consistently high retention rates (100% in 2023). We’re really proud of this achievement, and our Trainees choosing to remain at Ashfords to grow their careers is testament to our collaborative and supportive culture, combined with the high quality work that we offer.
Exeter Assessment Centre Day
If you are selected for an assessment centre, you can expect to participate in scenario based activities and written exercises along with a partner interview as part of the process. Our South West assessment centre will take place at our Exeter Office on Thursday 2 July 2026.
Eligibility and Timeline
To be eligible to apply, you must be in your penultimate year of a qualifying law degree or final year of a non-law degree. We also look forward to receiving applications from graduates and those pursuing a new avenue in their career. Please note that applications will close on 31 March 2025, and all applications are reviewed after this date. Unfortunately we will be unable to consider any applications made after this date, or applications received outside of our recruitment portal. Please ensure you only make one application to either an assessment centre or summer scheme in your preferred location. Duplicate applications will not be considered.
At Ashfords, we value hearing directly from individuals, not AI. While we appreciate that AI tools can be useful for idea generation, we kindly ask that your application is written by you and not produced using ChatGPT or similar tools.
Application deadline: 31 March 2026
Exeter Assessment Day 2026 employer: AllAboutLaw
Contact Detail:
AllAboutLaw Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Exeter Assessment Day 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the firm! Before your assessment day, do a bit of research on Ashfords. Understand their values, recent cases, and what makes them tick. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! During the assessment centre, you'll need to demonstrate how well you can articulate your thoughts. Try role-playing with friends or family to get comfortable expressing your ideas clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive during group activities! Show your curiosity and ambition by taking the lead in discussions or suggesting innovative ideas. Remember, they’re looking for future partners, so don’t be afraid to showcase your can-do attitude!
✨Tip Number 4
Network like a pro! Use the social activities at the assessment centre to connect with other candidates and staff. Building relationships can give you insights into the firm and might just help you land that coveted spot!
We think you need these skills to ace Exeter Assessment Day 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your curiosity and ambition. Remember, we’re looking for individuals who are ready to embrace challenges with a can-do attitude.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for Ashfords. Highlight your relevant experiences and skills that align with our values and the role. Show us why you’re excited about the opportunity to work in a full-service law firm and how you can contribute to our team.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough read. Typos and grammatical errors can distract from your message. We want to see your attention to detail, so take the time to ensure everything is polished and professional.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our recruitment portal! It’s the only way we’ll consider your application, so make sure you follow the guidelines. We’re excited to hear from you directly, so let’s keep it personal and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at AllAboutLaw
✨Know Your Law
Make sure you brush up on the four areas of law you'll be experiencing during your training contract. Familiarise yourself with recent cases and trends in those fields, as this will show your genuine interest and readiness to engage with the work.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your curiosity by preparing thoughtful questions about the firm and its culture. Ask about the types of projects trainees typically get involved in or how they contribute to business development initiatives. This shows you're not just interested in a job, but in being part of their community.
✨Be Personable and Adaptable
During the assessment centre, focus on showcasing your communication skills and adaptability. Engage with others in scenario-based activities, and don’t hesitate to share your ideas. A can-do attitude will resonate well with the interviewers, who are looking for future partners.
✨Get Involved
Highlight any extracurricular activities or initiatives you've been part of, especially those that demonstrate leadership or teamwork. If you've created or participated in clubs or events, mention these experiences to illustrate your proactive nature and ability to integrate into their social fabric.
