Trainees Elizabeth Atkinson and Natalie Bell have successfully completed the Legal Practice Course.

Gaining the qualifications you need to become a solicitor takes a long time and a lot of commitment. It is usual for a trainee to have studied a law degree for three years at university; or completed a non law degree and then converted their qualification to a legal one, which takes another year. This is then followed by the LPC, an integral vocational qualification that must be gained in order to qualify as a solicitor, and allow the trainee to begin their practical legal training with the firm for a further two years.

Elizabeth began her training with the firm in September 2006. She did things a little differently and worked part time at BPK as well as studying for the LPC qualification. She has one year of training left before qualifying in September 2009. Elizabeth is currently working in the Property department under the supervision of partner, Duncan Carter and assisting Martin Burnett.

Natalie began her training in July 2008, following many summers of work experience with the firm. Natalie has two years of training to complete, qualifying in July 2010. She is currently working in the Litigation Department, under the supervision of partner, James Bell and assisting Claire Harrison and Paul Forster.

Responsible for training is our Training Principal James Bell. We like to think we offer top-notch training here, and the recent Solicitors Regulation Authority monitoring visit confirmed our view:

“Bell Park Kerridge is providing a very good standard of training to its trainee. The firm’s work lends itself to the trainee developing both breadth and depth of experience. This firm provides a well organised and supportive environment in which to undertake a training contract. The standard of supervision is very high”  SRA 5th July 2008

We are not recruiting for trainees currently, however if you would like to be considered for any future opportunities please send a covering letter and CV to the Carlisle office for the attention of James Bell. We will retain them for consideration in the event of an opportunity becoming available.