Work with us to fight injustice through strategic legal action.

Justice First Fellowship: Trainee Solicitor

PILC is proud to be one of the host organisations for this round of Justice First Fellowships. The full job description for our Trainee Solicitor position, as well as the application portal, can be found here. Please note: applications close on December 14 2026.

Job Description:

As a Trainee Solicitor, you will undertake a two-year programme of supervised legal training, developing the knowledge, skills and experience required to qualify as a solicitor and pursue a career in social justice law.

During the fellowship, you will rotate across PILC's different areas of legal practice, gaining experience of a range of issues affecting communities and individuals who experience disadvantage and barriers to justice. This is expected to include housing, state accountability and public authorities (CAPA), racial justice and migrants' rights, and Gypsy and Traveller rights.

Working under the supervision of experienced solicitors, you will progressively develop your ability to provide legal advice and assistance, undertake casework and litigation, conduct legal research, draft legal documents and develop advocacy skills. The precise nature of your work will vary depending on the practice area and your stage of training.

Main Responsibilities:

You will:
• Develop your legal knowledge and practical skills through supervised advice, casework, advocacy and litigation.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to residents and communities affected by estate redevelopment, loss of housing security and the removal of community assets, with increasing responsibility as your skills and experience develop.
• Assist with, and progressively take some responsibility for, casework challenging unlawful decisions.
• Undertake legal research and begin to contribute to strategic litigation.
• Develop practical skills in client interviewing, drafting, negotiation, advocacy, litigation and case management.
• Work collaboratively with residents, community organisations, grassroots groups, legal colleagues and external partners.
• Develop an understanding of the social, political and structural context in which clients' legal problems arise and contribute to PILC's wider work to challenge systemic injustice.
• Complete a social justice project as part of the Justice First Fellowship, working with PILC to develop and deliver a project that supports our strategic objectives and improves access to justice.
• Take responsibility for developing your professional skills and knowledge, with support from your supervisors, colleagues and the wider Justice First Fellowship programme.

Person Specification:

a) Meets the eligibility requirements for the Justice First Fellowship, including the relevant qualification requirements for England and Wales: complete and pass the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by 14 March 2027, or have an undergraduate degree and complete and pass SQE Part 1 by 14 March 2027.

b) Able and willing to commit to the full two-year Justice First Fellowship from April 2027.

c) Right to work in the UK.

• Demonstrable commitment to social justice and access to justice
• Genuine interest in developing a career in social justice law
• Strong legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify relevant legal issues
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to produce clear, well-structured and accurate written work
• Good attention to detail and ability to work accurately
• Ability to prioritise workload, organise tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to take responsibility for allocated work while recognising when to seek guidance and supervision
• Ability to undertake the administrative and organisational aspects of legal casework, including accurate record keeping and time recording
• Willingness and ability to learn from supervision, feedback and reflection
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with people from a range of backgrounds and circumstances

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working or volunteering with people or communities experiencing disadvantage or barriers to justice
• Experience of legal research, drafting, casework or working in a legal or advice setting
• Experience of community organising, campaigning, trade union activity, volunteering or other relevant social justice activity
• Knowledge or experience of one or more of PILC's areas of legal practice, including housing, state accountability, racial justice and migrants' rights, or Gypsy and Traveller rights‍

‍Organisational Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave, plus additional time off over Christmas when our office closes;
• Hybrid and flexible working;
• Work phone and laptop;
• Enhanced leave policies including enhanced sick pay;
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme;
• Access to our 24-hour employee assistance programme;
• Cycle2Work scheme.‍

Starting Salary: £33,903

Contact Email: jobs@pilc.org.uk

‍Interview Dates: 18 January 2027; 25 January 2027

Please apply through the application portal. ‍