{"id":211,"date":"2024-05-30T11:23:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T11:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jovial-goldwasser.51-11-181-233.plesk.page\/?page_id=211"},"modified":"2025-07-18T15:53:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T15:53:15","slug":"the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&#038;A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-65e523f9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"427\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3505 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy-1024x427.webp\" style=\"object-position:54% 55%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"54% 55%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy-1024x427.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy-300x125.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy-768x320.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy-1536x640.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/polly-richard-hero-copy.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c246375ce98f98fd695e91d55d538463 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-large-font-size\">Polly Richard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Partner, Dispute Resolution<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"427\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3503 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy-1024x427.webp\" style=\"object-position:56% 48%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"56% 48%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy-1024x427.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy-300x125.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy-768x320.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy-1536x640.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/peter-hughes-hero-2-copy.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50abb6ad4c29ae52cdcf27ccb8d0a7e6 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-large-font-size\">Peter Hughes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Partner, Finance Group<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-433a8d44110d315331e6971295ec1c3b is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53c5bd27d7521ea65fc589050a48b720\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">1. What is the apprenticeship scheme?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-8e77d72233d099a12e5725d3140feb37 is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>We are excited to welcome our inaugural cohort of Solicitor Apprentices, who will join the firm in September 2025. Initially, the four apprentices will spend their first year in one of our sponsoring departments, which include Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Corporate, and Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Solicitor Apprenticeship program launched in 2015 and is aimed at school leavers, post-A Level, as an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor. The apprenticeship program takes six years to complete. During these six years, apprentices will reach law degree level by the end of the fourth year and take the SQE (and join our trainee cohort) in their final two years. One of the requirements of the apprenticeship is that apprentices spend 20% of their working week studying towards their qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the final few months of 2024, we attended over 15 events across the UK to raise awareness of the apprenticeship opportunity at Travers Smith, our culture, our people, and the benefits our program offers. This effort resulted in nearly 600 applications, with recruitment expected to conclude in May 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-1 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"991\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-1024x991.webp\" alt=\"Icon of three people\" class=\"wp-image-3961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-1024x991.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-1536x1487.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Members-2048x1982.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:100%\"><div class=\"calloutFigure is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\">\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutData animated fadeInUp\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Prussian-Blue)\">600<\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutDivider animated fadeInUp delay-200ms slower\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Prussian-Blue)\"><\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutCaption animated fadeInUp\" style=\"color: var(--TS-White)\">Applications<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\t\t<style>.calloutData, .calloutCaption, .calloutDivider {\n    --TS-Gold: #A38000;\n    --TS-Turquoise: #82C7B3;\n    --TS-Fossil: #F4F0D4;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue: #444541;\n    --TS-Black: #000000;\n    --TS-White: #FFFFFF;\n    --TS-Apple: #A3C961;\n    --TS-Racing-Green: #0F3F32;\n    --TS-Terracotta: #ee7442;\n}\n\n.calloutData {\n    font-size: 4rem;\n    line-height: 6rem;\n    font-weight: bold;\n}\n\n.calloutDivider {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 4px;\n    margin: 0 0 0.75rem;\n}<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-b516cd4ed58d88829b4ab7a23dcddc49 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34fadf14f1336f24158e9d16f3b0ce01\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">2. Why are law firms taking apprentices?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"985\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-1024x985.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of legal scales\" class=\"wp-image-2014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-1024x985.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-300x289.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-768x739.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-1536x1477.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_Legal-advice_Legal-Advice-2048x1970.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-881ac3a4a7001b2f56d8f29840d6a751 is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>Though there were a small number of early adopters within the City, throughout 2023 and 2024, law firms increasingly launched apprenticeships to address the growing need for diversity within the legal sector. Solicitor apprenticeships provide an alternative route into the profession, removing several financial and educational barriers that traditionally limit access. By opting for apprenticeships, law firms are able to draw from a broader pool of candidates, including those who may not have the means to pursue a university degree due to tuition costs or socio-economic constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apprenticeships ensure that law firms can hire individuals from various backgrounds, who bring with them a wealth of different perspectives and experiences. This diversity can enhance problem-solving and innovation within the firm. Moreover, by training apprentices on the job, firms cultivate a workforce that is well-versed in practical, first hand legal experience right from the start. This method promotes inclusivity and opens up career opportunities for those who might not fit the conventional mould of a university graduate. Consequently, law firms benefit from skilled and diverse legal professionals who enrich the firm and better represent the communities they serve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-de4ece1fa4bd891de054fe3416a1428c is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79e225fd3b55b6d6739dc36b2aee9d7d\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">3. How does the scheme work in practice?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-59aa780878db0c478258b4cd29ae080a is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>The solicitor apprenticeship scheme at Travers Smith will offer a comprehensive blend of legal education and practical experience, strategically structured over six years. The initial four years focus on developing a deep understanding of various practice areas, with apprentices rotating annually through different legal departments. This rotation process ensures broad exposure across multiple areas such as Real Estate, Dispute Resolution, Corporate, and Finance, with potential placements in other teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The educational aspect is delivered by BPP through the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship course, equivalent to a law degree, culminating in the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Apprentices engage in academic studies one day a week at BPP, exploring key legal modules, and receive dedicated study leave to prepare for exams, especially during the final two years for SQE assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the final two years, apprentices transition to trainee rotations, experiencing different legal practices every six months. This phase allows apprentices to further refine their skills and gain essential exposure to various legal environments, enhancing their readiness for qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the apprenticeship, apprentices encounter at least eight legal practices through rotations, including possible placements in Business Services such as Legal Tech, Legal Operations, and Business Development. They may also have opportunities for client secondments, providing additional practical insights and real-world experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-3 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"990\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-1024x990.webp\" alt=\"Icon of a graduation cap\" class=\"wp-image-3460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-1024x990.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Apprentice-Scheme-2048x1981.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:100%\"><div class=\"calloutFigure is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\">\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutData animated fadeInUp\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Prussian-Blue)\">6 years<\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutDivider animated fadeInUp delay-200ms slower\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Prussian-Blue)\"><\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"calloutCaption animated fadeInUp\" style=\"color: var(--TS-White)\">The strategically structured solicitor apprenticeship scheme at Travers Smith<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-5818de83226d6f1a2ae10c0d854c2023 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128d9c1d39727d459857d18121b4be02\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">4. Why is Dispute Resolution a prime first seat?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-4 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"991\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-1024x991.webp\" alt=\"Icon of a desk chair\" class=\"wp-image-3486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-1024x991.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Seat-2048x1982.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-b8621e9e31358760a82a21357c04e31a is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>A seat in Dispute Resolution provides apprentices with an opportunity to gain experience in a core practice area of the firm, and will expose them to the &#8220;coal face&#8221; of the English legal system, namely the judicial system which underpins the practice of all other areas of law. An understanding of how the legal system works, and how to assess and mitigate risk is essential for all lawyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wide range of matters the department deals with means that apprentices will gain early exposure to a range of practice areas, industries and clients.&nbsp;Apprentices may become involved in commercial disputes, competition claims, investigations, arbitration and more. This diversity gives them a chance to gain a broad understanding of different areas of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time spent in Dispute Resolution will also help apprentices to develop critical practical skills such as legal research, case management, drafting, negotiation, and advocacy. These skills are fundamental for any legal career, and will provide the apprentices with foundations on which they will be able to build as they move through their remaining seats within the firm. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-400656b6ee9e36bd721be05ba778bc69 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5d9df1781e7e17abfca53cba9b4eb4cf\" style=\"padding-top:25px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">5. How does Dispute Resolution provide valuable learning opportunities for solicitor apprentices?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d6a74c139924b94c85a60bbb24e56613 is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>Litigation almost invariably requires working collaboratively, whether that be with other solicitors, counsel, experts, clients or support staff. Our Solicitor Apprentices can therefore expect at an early stage to become key members of teams involving both internal and external stakeholders, making a valuable contribution and learning on the job from day one. We find that is the best way to develop the skills necessary to become an effective litigator \u2013 whether &#8220;hard&#8221; skills like drafting, research and critical reasoning, or the &#8220;softer&#8221; skills of effective communication and professional collaboration.&nbsp;Dispute resolution can be a fast-moving and high-pressure area of law, but that is also what makes it such a rich and rewarding learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the course of their one-year seat, we would expect Solicitor Apprentices to develop a range of practical skills that will provide a useful foundation for their subsequent careers. That would include skills such as legal research, drafting of correspondence and formal legal documents (such as witness statements and court applications), and an ability to think critically and strategically about legal disputes. Perhaps most importantly, we would expect Solicitor Apprentices to develop an ability to identify and analyse legal and commercial risk, a key skill that will provide them with an excellent foundation for their subsequent legal career.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-5 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"986\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--1024x986.webp\" alt=\"Icon of two people talking, above them is a speech bubble with three circles inside of it. \" class=\"wp-image-2012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--1024x986.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--300x289.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--768x739.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--1536x1478.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_LAP--2048x1971.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:12px;padding-bottom:12px;flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c31a8cb021a655c99fb0427c95cf600e is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c2a4794ea0e00d324efa74213926542d\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">6. Can you provide a practical example of a matter on which apprentices might be able to assist?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-6 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"990\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-1024x990.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of a court document with a gavel in front of it. \" class=\"wp-image-3494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-1024x990.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Matter-2048x1981.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ee5070a1a0a0c825565cddc4939dbc9e is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>We are regularly involved in high-value and complex contentious proceedings and investigations, which typically require us to work in large teams composed of solicitors of various levels of seniority, as well as more junior fee earners such as trainees and paralegals.&nbsp;There are plenty of areas in which a Solicitor Apprentice can usefully assist on such a matter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the earlier stages, that might involve legal research, taking attendance notes of client and witness interviews, drafting correspondence, document review and preparing factual chronologies. As the matter progresses, the Solicitor Apprentice would be closely involved in hearing preparation, including by preparing bundles, assisting with logistics and attending the hearing itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our hope is that by the end of their one-year seat, the Apprentice will have gained direct exposure to as many phases of the litigation lifecycle as possible, all while making a valuable contribution to the team and developing important skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-04ee565eee432344907ed55db9581508 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2c1be20d0ea75a2f8b2ecd65698d4f08\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">7. Why is being a sponsoring department in year one a brilliant opportunity?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-41cce7926193390decfe919417d16680 is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>I may be biased as a litigator, but I genuinely believe that starting in the Dispute Resolution department will set our Apprentices up for a successful career within the firm. It will give them a fantastic grounding in the core skills that they will require in all future seats, with a particular emphasis on the strategic and risk evaluation skills that are so central to this area of practice. Ultimately, all lawyers should understand what happens (and the associated pressure) when things become contentious (i.e. go wrong).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our hope is that they will then be a great ambassador for the department as they move through their other seats, able to rely on the strong contacts that they will have established during their time with us (given many of our matters involve other specialist practices in the firm).&nbsp;We should then also have the opportunity to host them a second time once they join the trainee cohort (in the fifth\/sixth year of the programme), at which point they will bring with them the knowledge and skills that they have learned in their time with other departments. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-7 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"991\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-1024x991.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of two hands showing support, inside the hands are three people icons.\" class=\"wp-image-3500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-1024x991.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Support-2048x1982.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-accent-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"167\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp\" alt=\"Quotation marks\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" style=\"width:128px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks.webp 167w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Quote-White_Prussian-blue-quote-marks-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-7930355bd0086bdfb33d7f2583ae394f is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c799177f2cb1f3945b47d57f23995b48\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">8. How can apprentices bring new skills to the department?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-contrast-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-8 is-position-sticky\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"991\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-1024x991.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of three speech bubbles, each with different abstract lines inside.\" class=\"wp-image-3498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-1024x991.webp 1024w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DR-Yearbook_Skills-convo-2048x1982.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-2-color has-contrast-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f60b02e6dcf3341af01657b8a41ab98b is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1eab57e2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:70%\">\n<p>The practice of law is evolving rapidly, and litigation is no exception to that trend.&nbsp;As a firm, we invest heavily in our technology offering, to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of our field and so that our clients continue to benefit from recent technological developments.&nbsp;For example, we use the Artificial Intelligence tool <em>Jylo <\/em>to bring about efficiencies in a range of our work.&nbsp;<em>Jylo <\/em>is an AI software company, and many of our solicitors work with our in-house Legal Tech team to develop effective use cases and &#8220;playbooks&#8221;.&nbsp;We would expect our Solicitor Apprentices to be a core part of those and similar efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More broadly, we are excited about the fresh perspectives that the Solicitor Apprentices will bring to the firm, and the opportunity for us to learn from their new viewpoints and willingness to challenge our established methods of working.&nbsp;We are really hoping that the Solicitor Apprentices can teach us as much as we will be teaching them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d777b32e95b4174e434dd9ee95257048\">Key Contacts and authors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"bioCard is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.traverssmith.com\/people\/peter-hughes\/?utm_source=Publication&amp;utm_medium=Bio_Card&amp;utm_campaign=Dispute_Resolution_Yearbook\" target=\"_blank\">\n    <div class=\"bioCardWrapper\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bioHeadshot animated fadeIn delay-200ms\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Peter-Hughes.webp\" alt=\"Peter Hughes\">\n        <div class=\"bioTextWrapper\">\n            <p class=\"bioName\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Terracotta)\">Peter Hughes<\/p>\n            <p class=\"bioRole\" style=\"color: var(--TS-White)\">Partner, Finance<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a>\t\t<style>.bioCard, .bioCard * {\n    text-decoration: none !important;\n}\n\n\n.bioCardWrapper {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: 120px 1fr;\n    grid-gap: 1rem;\n    padding: 1rem;\n    border-radius: 120px;\n    margin-block-start: 2rem !important;\n    background-color: transparent;\n    box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px #00000000;\n    \n    --TS-Gold: #A38000;\n    --TS-Copper: #C35500;\n    --TS-Turquoise: #82C7B3;\n    --TS-Fossil: #F4F0D4;\n    --TS-Oxford-Blue: #001F49;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue: #444541;\n    --TS-Black: #000000;\n    --TS-White: #FFFFFF;\n}\n\n.bioCardWrapper:hover {\n    background-color: #00000022;\n    box-shadow: 0px 4px 8px #00000022;\n}\n\n.bioCard:hover {\n    text-decoration: none !important;\n}\n\n.bioHeadshot {\n    width: 120px;\n    height: 120px;\n    border-radius: 60px;\n}\n\n.bioTextWrapper {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    justify-content: center;\n}\n\n.bioName {\n    --TS-Gold: #A38000;\n    --TS-Copper: #C35500;\n    --TS-Turquoise: #82C7B3;\n    --TS-Fossil: #F4F0D4;\n    --TS-Oxford-Blue: #001F49;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue: #444541;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    font-size: 1.25rem;\n    margin: 0;\n}\n\n.bioRole {\n    --TS-Black: #000000;\n    --TS-White: #FFFFFF;\n    font-weight: 200;\n    font-size: 0.75rem;\n    margin: 0;\n}\n\n.bioCardWrapper:hover .bioRole {\n    color: var(--wp--preset--color--base);\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 480px) {\n    \n    .bioCardWrapper {\n        grid-template-columns: 80px 1fr;\n        border-radius: 1rem;\n    }\n    \n    .bioHeadshot {\n        width: 80px;\n        height: 80px;\n        border-radius: 40px;\n    }\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 340px) {\n    \n    .bioCardWrapper {\n        grid-template-columns: 1fr;\n    }\n    \n    .bioHeadshot {\n        width: 80px;\n        height: 80px;\n        border-radius: 40px;\n    }\n}<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"bioCard is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.traverssmith.com\/people\/polly-richard\/?utm_source=Publication&amp;utm_medium=Bio_Card&amp;utm_campaign=Dispute_Resolution_Yearbook\" target=\"_blank\">\n    <div class=\"bioCardWrapper\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bioHeadshot animated fadeIn delay-200ms\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Richard_Polly_PLH_Square-copy.webp\" alt=\"Polly Richard\">\n        <div class=\"bioTextWrapper\">\n            <p class=\"bioName\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Terracotta)\">Polly Richard<\/p>\n            <p class=\"bioRole\" style=\"color: var(--TS-White)\">Partner, Dispute Resolution<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-cb40aab8 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/uk-santions-litigation-trends\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"NBlinkBoxWrapper\">\n    \n    <div class=\"NBlinkBox is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Terracotta)\">\n        \n        <div class=\"NBlinkAnimFill\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Terracotta-tint)\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"NBlinkText\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Black)\">UK sanctions litigation trends for the financial sector<\/div>\n        <div class=\"NBdescText\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Black)\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"NBiconContainer\" style=\"left: 1rem\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"NBicon\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/left-icon-Black.svg\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n<\/a>\t\t<style>.NBlinkBox, .NBlinkText, .NBlinkAnimFill, .NBiconContainer {\n    --TS-Gold: #A38000;\n    --TS-Gold-tint: #DACC99;\n    --TS-Gold-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Copper: #C35500;\n    --TS-Copper-tint: #E7BB99;\n    --TS-Copper-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Terracotta: #EE7442;\n    --TS-Terracotta-tint: #F8C7B3;\n    --TS-Terracotta-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Turquoise: #82C7B3;\n    --TS-Turquoise-tint: #CDE9E1;\n    --TS-Turquoise-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Apple: #A3C961;\n    --TS-Apple-tint: #DAE9C0;\n    --TS-Apple-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Fossil: #F4F0D4;\n    --TS-Fossil-tint: #FBF9EE;\n    --TS-Fossil-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Aubergine: #4E1649;\n    --TS-Auberigne-tint: #B8A2B6;\n    --TS-Aubergine-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Racing-Green: #0F3F32;\n    --TS-Racing-Green-tint: #9FB2AD;\n    --TS-Racing-Green-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Oxford-Blue: #001F49;\n    --TS-Oxford-Blue-tint: #99A5B6;\n    --TS-Oxford-Blue-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue: #444541;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue-tint: #B4B5B3;\n    --TS-Prussian-Blue-text: #000000;\n    --TS-Black: #000000;\n    --TS-Black-tint: #999999;\n    --TS-Black-text: #ffffff;\n    --TS-White: #FFFFFF;\n    --TS-White-tint: #999999;\n    --TS-White-text: #000000;\n}\n\n.NBlinkBoxWrapper {\n    text-decoration: none !important;\n    margin-bottom: 1rem;\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n}\n\n.NBlinkBox {\n    padding: 4rem 1rem 1rem;\n    width: calc(100% - 2rem);\n    height: calc(100% - 5rem);\n    position: relative;\n    overflow: hidden;\n}\n\n.NBlinkAnimFill {\n    height: calc(100% + 2rem);\n    width: calc(100% + 2rem);\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 100%;\n    left: 0;\n    z-index: 1;\n    transition-duration: 0.3s;\n}\n\n.NBlinkBox:hover .NBlinkAnimFill {\n    top: 0;\n}\n\n.NBlinkText {\n    z-index: 2;\n    position: relative;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    font-size: 1.5rem;\n    line-height: 1.6rem;\n}\n\n.NBdescText {\n    z-index: 2;\n    position: relative;\n    font-weight: normal;\n    font-size: 1rem;\n    margin-top: 1rem;\n}\n\n\n.NBiconContainer {\n    width: 2rem;\n    height: 2rem;\n    overflow: hidden;\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 1rem;\n    z-index: 2;\n}<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/privilege-in-fact-finding-investigations\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"NBlinkBoxWrapper\">\n    \n    <div class=\"NBlinkBox is-layout-constrained animated fadeInUp\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Terracotta)\">\n        \n        <div class=\"NBlinkAnimFill\" style=\"background-color: var(--TS-Terracotta-tint)\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"NBlinkText\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Black)\">Internal investigations: time for Three Rivers to run dry?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"NBdescText\" style=\"color: var(--TS-Black)\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"NBiconContainer\" style=\"right: 1rem\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"NBicon\" src=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/right-icon-Black.svg\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. What is the apprenticeship scheme? We are excited to welcome our inaugural cohort of Solicitor Apprentices, who will join the firm in September 2025. Initially, the four apprentices will spend their first year in one of our sponsoring departments, which include Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Corporate, and Finance. The Solicitor Apprenticeship program launched in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3163,"parent":0,"menu_order":13,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-dr-yearbook-24-content-gold-banner","meta":{"footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-211","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&amp;A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard - Dispute Resolution Yearbook<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Dispute Resolution Yearbook 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"1. What is the apprenticeship scheme? We are excited to welcome our inaugural cohort of Solicitor Apprentices, who will join the firm in September 2025. Initially, the four apprentices will spend their first year in one of our sponsoring departments, which include Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Corporate, and Finance. The Solicitor Apprenticeship program launched in [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dispute Resolution Yearbook\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-18T15:53:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artboard-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/\",\"name\":\"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard - Dispute Resolution Yearbook\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-30T11:23:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-18T15:53:15+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp\",\"width\":2481,\"height\":2388,\"caption\":\"Two speech bubbles, one with a 'Q' inside and one with an 'A' inside\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&#038;A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/\",\"name\":\"Dispute Resolution Yearbook\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Dispute Resolution Yearbook\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Black-text-logo-no-whitespace-Gold-polo.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Black-text-logo-no-whitespace-Gold-polo.webp\",\"width\":1178,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"Dispute Resolution Yearbook\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard - Dispute Resolution Yearbook","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Dispute Resolution Yearbook 2025","og_description":"1. What is the apprenticeship scheme? We are excited to welcome our inaugural cohort of Solicitor Apprentices, who will join the firm in September 2025. Initially, the four apprentices will spend their first year in one of our sponsoring departments, which include Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Corporate, and Finance. The Solicitor Apprenticeship program launched in [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/","og_site_name":"Dispute Resolution Yearbook","article_modified_time":"2025-07-18T15:53:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artboard-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/","url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/","name":"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard - Dispute Resolution Yearbook","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp","datePublished":"2024-05-30T11:23:49+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-18T15:53:15+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DR-Yearbook_QA-terracotta-2.webp","width":2481,"height":2388,"caption":"Two speech bubbles, one with a 'Q' inside and one with an 'A' inside"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/the-solicitor-apprentice-scheme\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Solicitor Apprentice Scheme: A Q&#038;A with Peter Hughes and Polly Richard"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#website","url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/","name":"Dispute Resolution Yearbook","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#organization","name":"Dispute Resolution Yearbook","url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Black-text-logo-no-whitespace-Gold-polo.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Black-text-logo-no-whitespace-Gold-polo.webp","width":1178,"height":300,"caption":"Dispute Resolution Yearbook"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211"}],"version-history":[{"count":125,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4043,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/211\/revisions\/4043"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disputeresolutionyearbook.traverssmith.com\/yearbook-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}