Laytons is a commercial law firm providing advice to UK and international clients. We are big enough to attract quality clients but small enough to offer a personalised training programme where you will be ‘hands-on’ from day one.

Our clients are a diverse mix, from high-net-worth individuals to corporate household names. Many of our matters are multi-jurisdictional in nature and provide the opportunity to work with lawyers and other professional advisors from around the world. You will not be kept hidden away – our trainees are an integral part of our team, and you will be involved in client-facing work from the start.

Your training at Laytons will be focussed to ensure you acquire the skills required to become a well-rounded solicitor at the end of your training. You will undertake four six-month seats in different departments, working alongside lawyers who are experts in their field. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client.

You will have a dedicated supervisor for every seat and will receive regular informal and formal reviews. There is also a partner with overall responsibility for trainees, whose metaphorical door is always open. We strive to create an environment where our trainees feel supported and driven to succeed.

We are currently recruiting for two trainees to start in September 2025. Applications for training contracts and SQE placements should be submitted online by completing the application form below. Please note that we do not accept applications by post or email.

Applications will close on 9 February 2024 and successful candidates will be contacted for interview by 15 March 2024.

The first round of interviews will involve practical exercises as well as an interview and will take place in April 2024. Second round interviews with a panel of partners will take place in May 2024.

We recruit trainees who we believe will be part of our long-term future. We are looking for potential partners, not merely trainees.

It goes without saying that you should be hard-working, dedicated to a career in law, and a good team player. Good academics (at least a 2:1 degree in any discipline) are important, but if there is a reason why you feel your results do not reflect your ability, please tell us.

We welcome applications from those for whom law is a second career and, due to the international nature of a lot of our work, applications from those with additional languages are encouraged.

On top of academics, we want to see your personality shine through in your application. What are you passionate about? Where have you been and what have you experienced that will make you a brilliant lawyer?

Laytons is committed to fairness and to providing equal opportunity and to promoting the values of diversity and inclusiveness within the Firm and those applying to join us.

Discrimination against any applicant because of (or because assumptions are made about) their colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, paternity, age, gender re-assignment, disability or similar characteristic (or because they associate with individuals with one or more of these characteristics) is wholly unacceptable to us.

All applications are judged blind, on merit alone and active steps will be taken by Laytons to ensure the process is fair for all applicants and diversity in the profession is championed.

Proficiency in English language: If English is not your first language and you do not hold an honours degree that was delivered in English, you will be required to provide certified proof of ability in written and spoken English to at least a minimum average score of 6.5 or equivalent, with a minimum score of 6 in each section of the IELTS academic test.

“Laytons ETL provides a very thorough and hands-on training approach with trainees given a lot of responsibility and high calibre work. This provides the opportunity to experience and learn about all aspects of each seat and you are supported through regular meetings to provide guidance and ensure you experience all a seat has to offer. Furthermore, the friendly, supportive and social culture of the firm means partners and solicitors go out of their way to fully explain ongoing work and this helps to maximise the training experience.”

Tomos Bliss, 1st year trainee

“I commenced my training contract with Laytons ETL in September 2022. From the outset, my supervisors have been exceptionally supportive, ensuring active involvement of trainees in every aspect of transactions. Laytons provides a wide range of seats as a full-service law firm, allowing trainees to express their preferences. The quality of work assigned to trainees is of a high calibre; I had the privilege of assisting in a County Court and High Court trial during my 6 months in the Dispute Resolution Team. A notable highlight of my training contract was the opportunity to spend time in one of our ETL offices in Barcelona. Throughout my training contract, I’ve collaborated closely with partners resulting in comprehensive feedback.”

Lauren McCulloch, 2nd year trainee

“I joined Laytons as a Trainee in September 2020 and have since qualified in September 2022 within the firm’s corporate commercial team. I was drawn to Laytons because of the quality of training and culture of the firm. The firm provides a supportive environment where you are trusted to work on a wide range of high calibre work. I was also offered a fantastic opportunity to go on secondment to an organisation where I was working on a range of interesting work which further developed my knowledge and skillset. Overall, my experience at Laytons has been a positive one!”

Carmen Yong, Solicitor