Trainee Solicitor

Wirral Council is an inspiring place to build your career—where your work genuinely matters and where you’re supported to thrive. Our employees are empowered to “#BeTheDifference,” contributing to meaningful change and improving life for residents across a borough known as one of the happiest places to live in the UK. With its stunning coastline, strong sense of community, and ambitious plans for the future, Wirral offers an exceptional environment for both personal and professional growth. By joining us, you’ll become part of a forward‑thinking, values‑driven organisation that truly invests in its people—helping you develop your skills, pursue new opportunities, and make a real impact. If you’re looking for a role where you’ll be valued, supported, and inspired every day, Wirral Council is the place to be.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of local government law across all disciplines under the supervision of experienced professionals. This is a fixed term appointment for two years. A key focus of the role will be to provide advice to Members and officers of the council, including constitutional, procedural and administrative advice, ensuring the Councils objectives are at the heart of the service. Day to day duties will involve legal research and drafting appropriate legal documents, notices, forms and advice notes as required, which protect the interests, income and reputation of Wirral Council. You will also undertake advocacy, attend upon Counsel and attend court as directed.

Above all we are looking for individuals who can provide pragmatic and customer-focused advice on current legislation in relation to contracts and commercial matters, including statutory interpretation, for internal and external stakeholders as required. Successful candidates with LPC will need to work towards the Professional Skills Course (PSC) final professional qualification during their training contract. The successful candidate will work on their own initiative, be solution focused, pragmatic and escalate matters where appropriate. They will further show tact, diplomacy, empathy and political awareness with resilience, especially in dealing with competing and demanding pressures and potentially emotionally difficult situations and information. Ultimately, you will demonstrate a commitment and enthusiasm to making a difference for residents, you will role model our values and will be an ambassador for the Council.

As a Trainee Solicitor, you will have completed the Legal Practice Course and be available to undertake formal training and qualify as a solicitor in accordance with the Law Society training standards.

Please note, we will only be able to consider candidates who: (1) have or will have completed their LPC by 1 September 2026; (2) have completed their SQE1 and 2; or (3) have SQE1 (or will achieve it by 1 September 2026) and be working towards completing their SQE2 by 1 September 2027.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Matthew Neal, Lead Principal Lawyer on 0151 691 3057 or email matthewneal@wirral.gov.uk.

We believe in giving you the flexibility to work where you’re most productive. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, combining the benefits of remote work with the collaboration and connection of in-office days, twice a week. Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

Working at Wirral You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here so, as a start: Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave. We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We’re serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people. We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, enrolment into the local government pension scheme (an excellent defined benefit scheme), immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays. We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities. Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.

If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.

Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies. It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page.