Trainee Solicitor Scheme
Trainee Solicitor Programme: Your Path to Legal Excellence in Northern Ireland
Are you ready to join a firm where intelligence, creativity, and bold thinking are celebrated—and where you’ll be empowered to produce top-tier client work while thriving in a collaborative culture?
As one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial law firms, Tughans offers a two-year training contract featuring at least four diverse rotations, expert supervision, and deep integration into firm life.
Why Join Tughans?
High-Impact Exposure: Work on high-profile transactions from Day 1, across a breadth of sectors.
Professional Growth: Structured training combined with mentoring ensures continual development and support. All training fees are fully covered.
Inclusive Environment: Awarded Diversity Mark bronze for our commitment to equality and inclusion.
Team Culture: Engage in vibrant social and charitable initiatives – you’re part of the fabric here, not just a trainee.
Industry Recognition: Consistently ranked as one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial law firms, with multiple awards recognising our excellence, innovation, and client service.
Landmark Location: Based in the Ewart Building, one of Belfast’s most iconic office developments, offering a modern, collaborative, and inspiring workplace in the heart of the city.
Qualification Routes & Programme Structure
Choose your pathway:
IPLS‑approved (Law Society of Northern Ireland)
LPC‑approved (Solicitors Regulation Authority, England & Wales)
SQE-Approved Route (Solicitors Qualifying Examination, England & Wales)
Training Structure:
Duration: Two years
Rotations: Minimum of four seats, covering both contentious and non-contentious practice areas – Sample Rotations include:
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate
- Real Estate & Property Development
- Insurance Litigation
- Contracts & Technology
- Employment
- Banking
- Healthcare
Compensation & Benefits
With our Employee Benefits Programme, trainees can enjoy:
- Competitive starting salary
- Life assurance and income protection
- Private medical insurance (after probation), including 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, and well‑being hub
- Additional perks: birthday leave, volunteering leave, flexible/agile working, interest-free season-ticket loans, discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work scheme
Application Timeline & Process
Applications Open: 28th August 2025
Tughans Open Night: 8th October 2025
Applications Close: 17th October 2025
Assessment Centre: 7th November 2025
Start Date: September 2026
Application Steps:
- Submit your Trainee Application Form and Monitoring Form to traineeapplicant@tughans.com by 17th Oct 2025
- If shortlisted, participate in an assessment centre with exercises and interviews.
- If successful, receive an offer and onboarding guidance.
- Commence your trainee Programme in September 2026.
Monitoring Form
Tughans is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are delighted to hold the Diversity Mark bronze award in recognition of our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
