Solicitor Apprentice ( Non - Graduate) - Bristol

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you’re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC. At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you. Applicants who do, or wish to, work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available. You should discuss this with the vacancy holder before you submit your application. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

About HMRC Legal Group: Legal Group provide legal services to the whole of HMRC. This includes:

• The conduct of tribunal and civil litigation.
• Work on primary legislation.
• Drafting statutory instruments and other legal documents.
• Legal advice to HMRC's Executive Committee and HMRC.

We also provide technical and forensic accountancy services to HMRC, are head of the Compliance Accountants' and Insolvency Professions, as well as handling Ministerial Correspondence and Freedom of Information requests for HMRC and conducting independent reviews of decisions made by HMRC. Successful applicants will rotate seat placements during their apprenticeship, additional information on this can be found in the campaign pack. We expect the majority of interviews to be in August. Successful applicants are expected to start their employment and workplace learning on 1st December 2025 with their apprenticeship programme starting in January 2026. These posts are not affected by the recent Government announcement regarding the withdrawal of funding for the Level 7 apprentice schemes.

This is an exciting opportunity to work for HMRC Legal Group while training to be a solicitor. You can expect to be fully involved in a range of interesting legal work and receive high quality training in a supportive and inclusive working environment, culminating in a solicitor role upon successful qualification and performance in role. The apprenticeship comprises of an off-the-job training programme through our provider that is funded by the Apprenticeship Levy alongside on-the-job learning in Legal Group. The training programme will be provided via a digital learning platform and study leave will be in line with Education and Skills Funding Authority (ESFA) requirements. As an apprentice, you can expect to spend 20% of your working time studying and the rest of it working. Applicants should be aware of the rigour of the qualifications and be prepared to also study in their own time.

Successful candidates will have:

• Strong written and oral communication skills, an ability to work well with colleagues, including support staff, and other professionals in a collaborative environment.
• An understanding of the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and why they matter in the legal profession.
• Skills in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting information from various sources.
• The ability to identify problems and find solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, an ability to adapt and be resilient.
• IT skills and be comfortable using technology.
• An ability to manage their time effectively.

This role will require you to work a minimum of 30 hours per week as per training provider requirements. You will find further details on apprenticeship eligibility, including details on residency requirements, in the campaign pack. Successful candidates will receive appointment letters that hold a training clause advising completion of the apprenticeship is a condition of employment. HMRC welcomes applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, taking into account our operational and customer service needs.

There may be a need to travel across the UK with occasional overnight stays being required and there may be a need for occasional travel for business purposes. This vacancy is only available at the specified locations, alternative locations are not available. Your office location is contractual so if you are successful, there is an expectation that you will attend that office location as required by the business. You need to consider how you will meet this requirement before you apply and discuss any concerns with the vacancy holder before accepting any role.

If you are a Civil Servant and currently a higher grade than Band O and you are offered and accept this role, you will be opting to voluntarily downgrade. This would be a permanent change to your terms and conditions and Band O would become your substantive grade.

Essential Criteria: Five (5) GCSEs or equivalent between A* - C (9-4) including English and Maths; and, ABB at A level (128 UCAS points); or, A qualification equivalent to ABB at A level such BTEC Level 3; or, A relevant level 3 apprenticeship programme; or A CILEx Level 3 qualification. Please note, if you are already on an apprenticeship programme, you will not be able to take a second apprenticeship, nor transfer your apprenticeship to the role. To be accepted on an apprenticeship you will need to demonstrate that, based on your current experience and qualification level, it will provide you with significant new learning, skills and behaviours. You must ensure that you meet the residency requirements of the apprenticeship.

Desirable Criteria: Please set out any office based or legal work experience that you have undertaken, this can be paid or voluntary or in education.

Qualifications: As under essential criteria above: Five (5) GCSEs or equivalent between A* - C (9-4) including English and Maths; and, ABB at A level (128 UCAS points); or, A qualification equivalent to ABB at A level such BTEC Level 3; or, A relevant level 3 apprenticeship programme; or A CILEx Level 3 qualification.

Behaviours: We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing.

Technical skills: We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Presentation skills.

Benefits: Alongside your salary of £29,475, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £8,538 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days. Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.

Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply: Applications for the programme close on 12/06/2025. You will be asked to complete a basic application form, setting out your personal details and confirming whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Stage 2: Online tests. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Online Test. Please complete this test online as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours of being invited to complete it is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 12/06/2025 23:55. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn.

Stage 3: 2nd Stage of Online Tests. If you are successful in Stage 2, you will be invited to complete 2 more online tests: the Civil Service Judgement Test and the Civil Service Work Strengths test.

Stage 4: Full application. If you are successful at the previous stages, you will be asked to provide a 1000-word personal statement addressing your motivation and passion for a career in the law, why you want to be a Government lawyer, and specifically, a solicitor apprentice within HMRC.

Stage 5: Sift. A preliminary sift on the Essential Criteria will be conducted and only candidates meeting the criteria will progress.

Stage 6: Interview. If you have been successful in previous stages, you will be invited to an interview, where you will be assessed on behaviour-based questions and a presentation.

Stage 7: Provider Checks. If you have been successful in previous stages, to confirm your eligibility for the apprenticeship, the learning provider will conduct some initial checks before HMRC can make an offer of an apprenticeship.

Eligibility: To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be 16 or over, living in England, and not in full-time education. You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers: Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Additional Information: We are looking into ways to enhance the applicant experience. As part of our legitimate interests, we are testing the use of new technologies such as automation and/or Artificial Intelligence in the assessment for CV, personal statement and behaviour statement.

Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Diversity and Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.