It's a formal, government-approved training programme that combines a real, paid job at your firm with structured, work-based learning.

Your apprentice learns the practical skills from your team while studying for a recognised legal qualification with a dedicated training provider.

They "earn while they learn," offering a direct and practical route into the legal profession without the traditional university-first approach.

The talent pool is incredibly diverse.

An apprentice can be a school leaver (A-Level or equivalent), a career changer looking to enter the legal field, or even an existing member of your administrative staff ready for progression.

This flexibility allows you to either bring in fresh perspectives or develop the loyal talent you already have.

The levels correspond to different stages of qualification:

• Level 4 (Technician/Paralegal):
  
  Equivalent to the first year of a degree.
  
  This creates highly competent paralegals and legal technicians who can manage their own caseloads under supervision.
• Level 6 (Licensed Practitioner):
  
  Equivalent to a full bachelor's degree.
  
  This programme trains an individual to become a fully qualified and regulated Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner, capable of working independently.

The cost of the formal training is heavily subsidised by the government.

• If your annual payroll is over £3 million: You pay for the training through your Apprenticeship Levy funds.
• If your annual payroll is under £3 million (SMEs): The government will pay for 95% of the training costs.
  
  Your firm simply co-invests the remaining 5%, making it an exceptionally cost-effective way to train new talent.

Your primary cost is the apprentice's salary, which must be at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices.

As they are contributing to your firm's output from day one, this salary is an investment in a productive team member.

This is the main figure our ROI calculator helps you analyse.

Absolutely.

Upskilling your current staff via an apprenticeship is a popular and effective use of the funding.

It’s an excellent way to boost morale, improve retention, and fill skills gaps from within your own loyal team.

The same funding rules apply.

Your role is crucial, but manageable. Your main responsibilities are to:

• Provide a genuine job with a contract of employment.
• Appoint a line manager or mentor to provide support and day-to-day guidance.
• Give the apprentice opportunities to learn the practical skills outlined in their training plan.
• Allow them to complete their "20% off-the-job training" during their normal working hours.

This is simply protected time for the apprentice to learn.

It is equivalent to one day per working week but can be delivered flexibly (e.g., one day a week, half a day twice a week, or in blocks of time).

This time is used for activities like online classes which we will provide, assessments, or other training activities which we will provide.

We work with you to plan this effectively around your business needs.

Initially, they will require more intensive supervision as they learn your processes and the fundamentals of the role.

However, the programme is designed for them to become progressively more independent.

The time you invest early on pays dividends later, as they will quickly become a competent fee-earner, freeing up senior staff to focus on more complex matters.

They learn the core competencies required to be effective in their role.

• For Conveyancing: This includes client care, conducting property searches, drafting contracts, managing financial transactions, and handling completions.
• For Probate: This includes applying for Grants of Probate, calculating Inheritance Tax, collecting and distributing estate assets, and preparing estate accounts. 

Progress is monitored through a tripartite relationship between you (the employer), the apprentice, and us (the training provider).

Regular reviews ensure they are on track.

Assessment is robust and includes a portfolio of their work, formal examinations, and a final professional discussion or interview to confirm their competence.

Upon successful completion, they receive a nationally recognised qualification from CLC (Council for Licensed Conveyancers).

A Legal Technician will receive a Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing / Probate Law & Practice. 

A Legal Practitioner will receive a Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing / Probate Law & Practice.