Trainee Solicitor Development Programme (London)

About this programme

This programme is designed for students looking to gain on-the-job experience at the heart of the UK's central bank, while working toward qualifying through a graduate solicitor apprenticeship.

• Length of programme: 30 months, fixed-term contract
• Start date: early August 2026
• Location: London offices (hybrid)
• Salary: £40,000, as well as our comprehensive benefits package

This Could Be Right For You If You Are:

• keen to launch your legal career
• eager to qualify as a solicitor at the UK's central bank
• looking to build your network and be considered for future roles within the Bank of England

We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

To Apply, You Must:

• be predicted to or have achieved one of the following no more than three years before the programme start date (August 2026): 2.1 UK law degree; or 2.1 non-law degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL); or a law degree from a non-UK jurisdiction plus a PGDL from a UK university.
• have not already completed Legal Practice Course or Solicitor Qualifying Examinations 1 or 2.
• comply with any Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements.

What To Expect:

You will receive a bespoke induction and training programme for the Bank's trainee solicitors, as well as access to a wide range of training opportunities within the Legal Directorate. You will regularly receive training from experts from across the Bank, as well as external speakers from the Government, other regulators (such as the Financial Conduct Authority), overseas authorities and the private sector.

We Will Introduce You To a Unique Combination Of Public And Private Law Issues. We Work On Legal Matters Related To:

• financial services regulation
• banking and payments
• insolvency and restructuring
• litigation
• the UK's central bank

How You Could Develop:

On the programme you will:

• enrol on a paid-for course at the University of Law (ULaw) to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE1 and SQE2)
• spend 20% of your working week studying with ULaw and 80% of your week working in our Legal Directorate
• have the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor at the UK’s central bank and you can earn as you learn
• receive study leave around exam periods
• complete a mix of six and twelve-month rotations across three or more divisions of the directorate – giving you experience in central banking, financial stability, enforcement and litigation and insurance and deposit takers.
• have access to a wide range of induction and training opportunities, and support from a highly experienced legal team

After passing your SQE and completing work experience, you will be eligible to become a solicitor registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (subject to meeting relevant character and suitability requirements). At this point, we would welcome you to apply for jobs in the Bank as a newly qualified lawyer.

Right to work in the UK:

For our graduate programmes, the Bank may be able to offer visa sponsorship in specific circumstances. We will assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis, taking individual circumstances into consideration. All applicants must comply with Home Office regulations.

Please note, should sponsorship be offered, the cost of the Skilled Worker visa application and the immigration health surcharge (IHS) will be payable by the applicant themselves and this will not be reimbursed by the Bank.

Our Approach to Inclusion:

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.

At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.

For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.

We are proud to be a member of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). We are committed to creating an equitable interview process for disabled candidates through our membership of the DCS and this means we guarantee progression to video interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. If you wish to apply under this scheme, please select "Yes" to the DCS question at the end of the application form. We understand, however, that not all applicants with a disability may wish to apply through this scheme, and we fully respect that choice; you will still be fully supported with any support or adjustments you may require.

As we are an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to providing adjustments and support to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. Should you require support with completing your application and require any adjustments for this (even if you do not wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme), please contact the recruitment team at BOEadditionalsupport@penna.com who will work with you to provide the support you require. Please be aware that we may need to ask for more information about your disability so that we can provide the necessary support.

National Security Vetting Process:

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided at offer stage for successful candidates. Information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Application Process:

Important: Please ensure that you complete all details in the application form including education, work history and all job specific questions. Your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed. Please also ensure you have uploaded a copy of your CV for eligibility checks.

The assessment process will comprise of 4 stages: online application, situational judgement test, video interview and a virtual assessment centre.

About Us:

We are the UK's central bank - and we are a bank like no other; known by our peers for our world-leading thinking on policy and strategy.

Our mission is to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary and financial stability. We seek to keep prices stable and people's money safe. We know our work matters to people, to families, up and down the UK. We are driven by curiosity and the desire to do important, challenging work.

It takes a great team to run the Bank of England. We rely on each other to play our part. We benefit from a collaborative culture and long-established flexible ways of working, supporting our colleagues balance their work and personal lives. We strive to be a place where people feel they belong and have equal access to opportunities, because different perspectives helps us make the best decisions for the public.

There's much to gain from working with us - from career defining work at the heart of the UK economy, being part of a fantastic team, and a rewarding compensation package. Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.