JERSEY TRAINEE SOLICITOR PROGRAMME
WELCOME
Nick Evans Head of Office Jersey
I am delighted to share the details of our Trainee Solicitor Programme in Jersey.
Established in 2018, the Maples Group’s Jersey office has grown from a small team of two lawyers to a thriving presence. Leveraging the talents and dynamism of our team of lawyers together with the unmatched collegiality, resources and client relationships of the global Maples Group, we have punched well above our weight in terms of the outstanding quality of work we undertake. I am incredibly excited by the opportunities we have to continue our remarkable growth and to deepen our foundations in Jersey and, vitally, invest in the long-term development of our lawyers.
A key component of this is the Trainee Solicitor Programme. We offer graduates a carefully developed training programme comparable to a traditional training contract run by City law firms, but with a lifestyle and work-life balance that is unqiue to Jersey.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Maples Group!
ABOUT THE MAPLES GROUP IN JERSEY
Opened in 2018, we offer specialist Jersey legal advice along with entity formation and corporate / administration service solutions to the corporate, finance and funds and investment sectors.
Our clients include a wide range of international public and private companies, clearing and investment banks, global investment houses and institutional asset managers (hedge, private equity and venture capital).
An exciting, diverse and healthy mix of opportunities are generated by both the local team and referrals through our global colleagues, and our unique position is due to our focus on prestigious cross-border mandates for blue-chip and institutional-level clients.
Our legal services team continues to grow, and presently comprises 15 lawyers (six Partners, three Of Counsel and six Associates) and four Trainees.
We are a leading international law firm with a presence in all of the major European jurisdictions: Ireland, Jersey, London and Luxembourg alongside key global locations such as the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, and we regularly advise clients on multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Some of the firm’s international clients include: Blackstone Credit, NatWest Bank PLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, BlackRock, Apache Capital Partners, Goldman Sachs, Symphony Technology, Waldencast, Acquisition Corp, Bain Capital Credit, LVMH and Gemcorp Capital.
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We are a leading international law firm with a presence in all of the key European jurisdictions
LIFE AT THE MAPLES GROUP IN JERSEY
Our Jersey office comprises a mix of newly-qualified, mid-level and highly-experienced lawyers and partners, in an environment that has the benefits, versatility and opportunity for growth of an agile law firm, combined with the structure, client base and support network afforded by the Maples Group.
As the Jersey office is relatively new, there is a strong entrepreneurial culture, which makes it an exciting time to be part of the firm’s quickly developing growth story. We also work regularly and closely with lawyers from other jurisdictions, in particular, the Dublin, London and Cayman Islands offices.
Our junior lawyers benefit from a smaller office by having exposure to matters and high-quality work from day one. Lawyers at all levels are encouraged continuously to build their business development, client relationship and marketing skills and are provided with regular opportunities to attend events.
An additional benefit of practising and qualifying in a smaller practice is that there is no requirement to specialise in a particular area of law (e.g. Funds, Corporate or Finance) on qualification. Instead, newly qualified lawyers can retain some flexibility and exposure to the different practice areas. This enables newly qualified lawyers to continue to build experience and
knowledge across various practices areas before specialising at a later date. This approach is advantageous as it provides newly qualified lawyers a knowledge base and understanding of other areas of law, which is unmatched by contemporaries in other onshore legal firms.
The majority of our lawyers have a broad practice covering a number of areas across Funds & Investment Management, Corporate and Finance, depending on their preference. This ultimately means our lawyers consider issues more laterally and are able to challenge themselves with a range of mandates and transactions.
We have well-established teams of professional support lawyers and information services specialists who actively support our lawyers, affording them the time to focus on delivering the highest quality advice to clients. This level of support mirrors the experience offered at large onshore law firms.
Away from the office, we regularly organise social events, and can often be found competing in local sports events such as the Jersey Padel Tennis League. It is important that our trainees are an active part of the office’s social calendar and suggestions are always welcomed by the social committee!
The Maples Group has an extremely strong pedigree with regards to the training and development of lawyers. All of our trainees are provided with structured on-the-job training, which includes monthly legal
sessions delivered by our lawyers, monthly practice group knowledge meetings, department specific workshops and seminars. Presentation, drafting and other core legal and business skills sessions are also delivered to you as a trainee, which are run, by internal experts as well as external providers. An important part of being in the Jersey office is harnessing the power of the global Maples Group offering for which the trainees and the trainee programme are key components.
The Jersey office is structured in a way that both enables and encourages junior lawyers to work across practice areas “ ”
Emily Garton Trainee, Maples Group, Jersey
WHY MAPLES GROUP?
In this Q&A, Trainee Emily Garton discusses her legal training journey, and time with the Maples Group.
What is your academic background?
I grew up, and attended school in Jersey before moving to a school in England when I was 14 years old. I then completed an undergraduate degree in English at the University of Nottingham, followed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at the University of Law in London.
What appealed to you the most about the Jersey Trainee Solicitor Programme with Maples?
A number of aspects appealed to me; including, the entrepreneurial culture of the Jersey office and the ability to gain hands-on experience, work closely with more senior lawyers and partners, and work across different practice areas. The opportunity to complete a secondment in another Maples Group office also excited me, and I was keen to train at a firm with a strong global presence such as the Maples Group.
Why did you pursue offshore law, rather than complete a traditional training contract in the City?
Offshore law presents a unique opportunity to have exposure to high quality legal work while also being able to live in beautiful places like Jersey. I was also drawn to the ability to train in different jurisdictions and explore broader areas of practice.
What attracted you to the Maples Group in Jersey?
The Jersey office is unique in that, although it consists of a relatively small team, it is backed by a global organisation and brand. Collectively, these unique factors have many advantages for enabling us to be exposed to high- quality work and clients from the beginning of our careers, while also giving us opportunities to work on matters that may otherwise have been reserved for more senior lawyers.
In addition to this, the Maples Group encourages junior lawyers to participate in marketing and business development initiatives, which is something that many offshore and onshore firms more commonly reserve for more senior lawyers.
The Jersey office is structured in a way that both enables and encourages to work across practice areas. This is particularly beneficial as it enables you to build a wide portfolio of matters and clients, as well as continue to develop your knowledge and experience across multiple practice areas before making the decision to specialise.
What has been a highlight from your time with the Maples Group so far?
I have really enjoyed my training so far and the culture of the Jersey office has enabled me to learn a lot in a relatively short period of time. I am currently completing a secondment in the Dublin office in the Funds & Investment Management Group which has been an incredible opportunity to broaden my experience, gain insight into one of the larger Maples Group offices and meet more colleagues in-person.
OUR UNIQUE OFFER TO YOU
We have created a bespoke legal training programme that offers any aspiring solicitor a stimulating balance of hands-on legal experience comprised with the learning and qualifications offered by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (“SQE”) route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Our trainees will be paid a competitive salary for the duration of the Programme (including while undertaking the SQE2 preparation course and exams). A grant of £5000 will also be provided to future trainees whilst they complete their SQE1 preparation course and exams before commencing the Programme.
Alongside covering the full cost of the SQE preparation courses and exams, we ensure that trainees receive exposure to a wide variety of interesting commercial legal work across four seat rotations, to build the two years’ Qualifying Work Experience (“QWE”) required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”) to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. Each of our trainees is allocated an Associate ‘Buddy’ when they join, whose role is to act as a mentor and to be on-hand to offer guidance. We consider partner contact time to be of huge value to our trainees, and for each seat the trainee is allocated a dedicated Supervising Partner. Upon qualification and successful completion of the programme, trainees will be encouraged to apply for newly-qualified positions with the Jersey office.
To ensure your relocation to Jersey is as smooth as possible, we cover the cost of flights from the UK and provide you with serviced accommodation for your first month with us.
As a global organisation that values a culture of collegiality, we send each trainee on a six-month overseas secondment as part of the programme.
The Maples Group’s Trainee Solicitor Programme offers a unique opportunity to commence QWE at an early stage, to learn while you earn, to be part of a leading global organisation and to embrace the lifestyle and high standard of living Jersey provides: one that endorses work-life balance and goes hand-in-hand with Maples Group’s positive approach to encouraging wellness.
Salary*:
£45,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR
£50,000 FOR THE SECOND YEAR
WHEN CAN YOU APPLY?
Applications open at the beginning of January each year. We welcome applications from all degree backgrounds as well as from career changers.
All of our trainees (irrespective of degree background) will complete a full two years’ of training with us.
We are looking for applicants with proven academic excellence, which will include an Upper Second-Class undergraduate degree or pending (to be proven once the degree has been achieved).
If you want to embrace something different to the well-trodden path of a City training contract, get in touch!
You must be willing to embark on spending an exciting two years (and hopefully beyond!) living and working in Jersey.
THE PATH TO QUALIFYING
LAW GRADUATE
Complete Undergraduate Degree in Law (or have previously completed the GDL or LPC).
10 or 20 week SQE1 preparation course with Barbri
Remote study with maintenance grant
Complete alternative Undergraduate Degree
Foundations in Law course with Barbri (6 weeks)
20 or 40 week SQE1 preparation course with Barbri
SQE1 exams (July sitting)
First seat (Corporate/Funds/ Finance)
Second seat (Corporate/Funds /Finance)
Third seat (Corporate/Funds/ Finance)
SQE2 preparation course with Barbri Overseas secondment
Submit QWE and exam results to SRA
SQE2 exams
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Our application process opens on 1 January each year to join the following September. Applications close at the end of February.
Complete our online application form
SUCCESSFUL
First Stage interview (virtual)
SUCCESSFUL
Second stage interview and case study (in-person)
UNSUCCESSFUL
We welcome your application next year
MAPLES GROUP OVERVIEW
The Maples Group is a leading global service provider offering a comprehensive range of legal, fiduciary, fund, regulatory and compliance, and entity formation and management services.
The Group’s international law firm, Maples and Calder, advises financial, institutional, business and private clients, as well as leading onshore counsel on the laws of the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg. Operating in 16 key international locations and with more than 2,500 staff, the Maples Group has offices in Abu Dhabi, Bermuda, Boston, BVI, the Cayman Islands, Delaware, Dubai, Ireland, Hong Kong, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Montreal, Netherlands, New York and Singapore.
JERSEY PRACTICE AREAS
• Corporate
• Finance
• Funds & Investment Management
GLOBAL STATS
LEGAL AWARDS
Our leading position in the funds market is supported by the following recent award-wins:
Best Offshore Law Firm –Fund Domicile (European Awards 2024)
Who’s Who Legal –Private Funds Formation (2019)
HFM – European Services Awards –Best Offshore Law Firm (2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019)
Private Equity Wire US Awards – Best Offshore Law Firm (2020)
